Music Theory – does it scare you? It shouldn’t...
Today we are talking about music theory and particularly that music theory scares a lot of people from learning the topic. And music theory sounds like it’s going to be physics and complicated.
Another thing I hear from guitarists is that you don’t need music theory and they say things like Jimi Hendrix didn’t need any music theory and things like that.
First of all, music theory is useful because it gives you the skill to communicate with other people.
Being able to talk to other musicians, whether it’s telling them something or understanding something that they are trying to tell you.
If you think about your job when you are working, and if you ask them to do something, like picking up a chair. And imagine they didn’t know the name of a chair, and they didn’t know what to do. Or even worse, you are trying to tell them to get you a table, but you didn’t know what a table was called and you describe it instead as, can you get you that wooden box shape looking thing. People would look at you like what are you talking about?
If you think about your job when you are working, and if you ask them to do something, like picking up a chair. And imagine they didn’t know the name of a chair, and they didn’t know what to do. Or even worse, you are trying to tell them to get you a table, but you didn’t know what a table was called and you describe it instead as, can you get you that wooden box shape looking thing. People would look at you like what are you talking about?
This is what happens with a lot of guitarists. Often they don’t know what things are called, don’t know the names of the notes. It means they struggle to communicate with people and how to do things people ask you to do. Learning music theory to give you more self confidence to be able to play with other people as you will feel more like a musician. Being able to successfully communicate with other musicians.
Music theory also doesn’t have to be complicated either. There are certain things that you can learn that is highly beneficial and very very useful to your playing and for communication.
Music theory also doesn’t have to be complicated either. There are certain things that you can learn that is highly beneficial and very very useful to your playing and for communication.
For instance, learning the notes on the guitar. So when someone asks you to play the A note, then you can actually play that note. Or when you are playing a melody or riff, you can actually say what the notes are that you are playing.
The biggest point that I am trying to make about music theory is that no matter what other people have said about it, such as you don’t need it or if you do need it or why it is useful.
Is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be, and a lot of teachers do overcomplicate things unnecessarily. My job is to make it simple so you can use it. And also to tell you why you do need it and that if you are struggling with your confidence with understanding of the guitar, being able to play with other people, feeling like a real musician. Those communication skills which stem from music theory is really useful towards building that self confidence in your guitar playing and being a guitarist.
Guitar Tuition East London is a guitar school based in London, providing guitar lessons in London for acoustic beginners, and electric guitar players too. Focused on contemporary teaching and providing lessons that get the students to have lots of fun.
The biggest point that I am trying to make about music theory is that no matter what other people have said about it, such as you don’t need it or if you do need it or why it is useful.
Is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be, and a lot of teachers do overcomplicate things unnecessarily. My job is to make it simple so you can use it. And also to tell you why you do need it and that if you are struggling with your confidence with understanding of the guitar, being able to play with other people, feeling like a real musician. Those communication skills which stem from music theory is really useful towards building that self confidence in your guitar playing and being a guitarist.
Guitar Tuition East London is a guitar school based in London, providing guitar lessons in London for acoustic beginners, and electric guitar players too. Focused on contemporary teaching and providing lessons that get the students to have lots of fun.