Why Every Guitar Player Should Learn Music Theory!

It is easy for someone like me to discuss the importance of learning music theory. I’ve been playing guitar for more than 20 years. Over the years, I have met many capable musicians with incredible talents that do not have an understanding of the theoretical foundations that their craft is built upon.

Vocalists typically fall victim to a lack of music theory study, as well as drummers. Understandably, these individuals use their ears and their own innate skills to compensate for this lack of knowledge, and still manage to get by. There is however, one incredibly large group of essential musicians that seem to overlook the importance of music theory - guitarists.

Guitars do not encourage theory

The guitar in itself does not promote the understanding of music theory. Many accomplished guitarists cannot read one note of music. How can that be? They rely on their quick ears and sense of rhythm to imitate what they have heard in the past. While this skill is valuable, it is not going to take most of them far in their careers.

Consider the capo for instance. With a capo, you can change keys with ease, and do not need to alter the chords you are using. It is different for other musicians, like pianists or wind instrumentalists who have to know all the major and minor keys, and the different chords involved, in order to transpose.

Music as a form of expression

Learning music is a lot like studying a foreign language. In order to read, write, speak, and comprehend Spanish, you need to study the basic grammar. If you do not understand the basic foundations, you will not be able to construct your own thoughts and ideas in the language. It is easy to memorize phrases and repeat them, but developing an understanding of grammar and sentence structure will open new doors and allow you to express yourself.

Chord structure

Many capable guitarists do not understand how the chords they play are constructed; they are simply repeating phrases and patterns that they have memorized over the years. If a poll was taken of 100 guitarists of varying levels, I would be curious to see what percentage of them could call out the names of the notes that make up an Em chord.

It is one thing to see the symbol “Em” on a page, and automatically press down the 4th and 5th strings in the 2nd fret. It is another thing to understand that “Em” means that the notes E, G, and B will be sounded, and the order of these notes can be rearranged to produce different timbres.

Music theory benefits

The greatest benefit music theory offers you as a guitarist is the ability to write and arrange your own songs more effectively and efficiently. You will find that with a simple understanding of chord progressions and harmonies, it will be easier to set lyrics to song, or to pick out progressions and licks to a song that you hear on the radio.

The endless hours you spend looking online for an accurate set of free tabs or chord charts will no longer be necessary, because you will have the knowledge to create your own tabs. Opportunities for you to creatively express yourself will increase, since you will have the tools to add your own special elements to the music of others, or create your own from scratch.

Understanding theory will also allow you to leave your mark in the music industry. Rules were meant to be broken, so by learning the rules of theory, you set yourself up with a chance to make a lasting impact on others with your unique style and innovative ideas. Some of the greatest rule breakers in music history included the Beatles, whose unconventional style made history.

What do you really need to know?

Now, as a guitarist, I can tell you there are many things you do not need to know about in the field of music theory. If you just want to rock out with your buddies and write some cool tunes, it is probably not necessary to study the 12 tone techniques of 20th century avant-garde music or secundal chords. Here are the major areas of theory that every guitarist should study:

• Note reading (basic)
• Keys
• Chord structure
• Scales
• Modes

Children learn to speak before they learn to write. Likewise, you have learned to play a few songs on the guitar without knowing much about the theoretical basis for your musical actions. Start with very basic note reading techniques, and learn it well. This will be your foundation for the study of theory.

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