theory???

[debeneto]

hi guys its been i while since ive posted mainly because life has been kinda buisy but im starting to play alot more.

the more and more i read about people learning how to play music theory always comes up and ive read articles and articles and got a little bit out of them but i can never find one that relates to guitar as much as i need it.

so my question is does anyone know any articles, products, books, explinations etc... on where i can learn. i want to start making my own riffs and overall become better at what i love doing....

thanks,
frank

[shattered]

Does your local school district have adult education classes? If so, you might find a course on music theory. Try a college, too. Some have theory courses for non-music majors.

I took it in high school at the same time I was learning how to play the guitar. There was an extra class period each week dedicated to piano, which really helped me learn guitar more quickly, and incorporate the theory I was learning.

[debeneto]

thats interesting.... but is this something that i really cant figure out on my own with the help of a book or something of that nature?

[dnic]

I've been getting Guitar Player mag for about a year. and when they start laying out riffs in standard music format it is totally Greek. I agree there are things in music theory that can be very vital for guitarists. For me I had to start looking at chord shapes and what was going on with them. Once you get past basics like I IV V and relative minor kind of stuff.

Here is an example of something I discovered by looking at chord shapes. I wanted to move major7 shapes around the fret board. So the question was what makes it a M7. Well look at A & D M7 chords shapes compared to the the normal open major chord. Lets look at the open cowboy D. The note on the B string is D when it moves down one half step it's Db and the chord becomes a DM7. Now if you move that shape up to the 9th fret you have and AM7 in a neat little triad form. When you sharp the note on the B string you have an A chord. Anyway if you asked me what makes a M7 I would say flatting the route note but piano players wouldn't say it that way.

I do agree with shattered that piano is the easiest way to learn theory in general but it may not cross over perfectly to guitar.

I have no idea if what I wrote about is the kind of stuff you,er after but maybe we could have an open thread for questions like, How do YOU PLAY F#m13 kind of questions.

dane

[dnic]

here's a link

www.justinguitar.com/

This is probaly better then all my rambling.

d 8-)http://www.justinguitar.com/

[debeneto]

dnic this website is really good stuff... and hopefully i can use it to my advantage. i also just bought a theory book for guitarist from hal leonard so we will see how that goes. if i can't figure it out from there ill probably break down and gets some lessons


i am open to anymore suggestions

[GuitarAttack Forum]

First, I never understood why it is called "theory"...isn't it "fact" by now? I guess theory just sounds better.

The hardest part is to define what you are looking for. Wasn't it Einstein who talked if he had an hour to save the world, he would spend 59 minutes defining the problem, and one minute executing the solution!

I started out on classical guitar in grade school. I got a good foundation for reading and writing music through those private lessons. My instructor was great, and he moved me into jazz and other styles. I am a big fan of lessons.

I am going to take a songwriter's class at a local college starting next month. I look forward to learning new concepts.

My recommendation is see if your current course of action satisfies your curiosity and needs. If not, I would try a local college.

My opinion,
John

[stratpurist]

Lots of good suggestions and I hope one or more will work for you. I get guitar player and occasionally find a useful article that interests me musically and stretches my music theory limits. Also, do not overlook free lessons on youtube. Lots of good technique and theory lessons. only requirement is a guitar and a good internet connection!

[shattered]

Books are always helpful. I found one at the library about a year or so ago that had tablature with it. Although it didn't really teach me much theory, the tab showed me some variations on some old stuff, as well as some new stuff.

Good luck!

[debeneto]

thanks for all of the advice... and i broke out the old beasty... my moms hamond organ that i am going to try to teach myself and/or get help from her. hopefully this and my purchase of my book will help me understand even more about my guitar.

thanks for the support....
frank

[shattered]

Please tell me you're running that baby through a Leslie......