How you play the guitar...

[MOE.PHISH]

i picked up the guitar about 8 months ago, and everything i learn is by ear or just by playing songs over and over and looking at the tab, i dont know notes/chord names/any true musical knowledge.....does anyone else play like this? does anyone think that not having that "knowledge" can really limit you on your guitar playing?

[sacdeez]

if you mean knowledge like theory and scales you can count me in. i do want to learn them though, i can play pretty well but i cant solo over anything to save my life.

[myxomatosis]

i picked up the guitar about 8 months ago, and everything i learn is by ear or just by playing songs over and over and looking at the tab, i dont know notes/chord names/any true musical knowledge.....does anyone else play like this? does anyone think that not having that "knowledge" can really limit you on your guitar playing?

You should at least learn those I think. Do you have chord names like Phoebe from friends? And I don't think scales are limitations unless you let them limit you.

[Brock]

phoebe

[filmdude100cms]

fuck it didnt post my reply earlier, basically you need your theory, some say you dont but until you know it you dont see all you can do with it. itll teach you all you want to know from that and more.

[dmbguitar718]

YES. That's why I'm taking lessons now. Expand your horizons.

[Duffman]

http://www.teoria.com

[MWR]

www.teoria.com

Cool site. I'll add it to the sticky.


Theory is not essential but it certainly helps you find different sounds. If you only play by yourself than theory won't seem important but if you're colaborating with other musicians it's vital.

[gumbomadness]

fuck it didnt post my reply earlier, basically you need your theory, some say you dont but until you know it you dont see all you can do with it. itll teach you all you want to know from that and more.

exactly

[gumbomadness]

YES. That's why I'm taking lessons now. Expand your horizons.

'

beautiful

[myxomatosis]

phoebe

what a stupid name

[TaylorGuy110]

YES. That's why I'm taking lessons now. Expand your horizons.

me too soon i hope!

[i am sam2]

definately know chords and notes...other than that

only the prodigies with true inborn musical talent can get by without theory. and those people will eventually learn it once they get developed, just to know what theyre doing. im talkin like jimi hendrix...who knew very little, became a star, and then learned some theory through his experience with other musicians

[gumbomadness]

dont make too big a deal about theory. yes, its complicated, yes its VERY in-depth.
But yes, it is a necessity.
Just take it one step at a time.
In the end, when you know some theory, and by theory i mean, chord names, key sigs, chord construction, > > > modes, > > > chord substitution >> more... life becomes beautiful.
The guitar no longer becomes a tree stump that makes noises. You no longer have to "search" for that note, or for that chord that makes your bridge..or struggle to improvize, or to get that riff down,and it doesnt make you a robot either. Theory helps you understand MANY other music styles, and more importantly lets you incorporate them into your own work. The goal for any musician is to be able to read their instrument like a book, and to have the instrument be an extension of them, where they can speak through it.
SPEAK through it. now thats profound.
Start learning now. Get lessons, read a book, play with others, get a guitar chord book, then a book with scales, and a book about theory.
Do something, your only limiting yourself if you dont.

However, if you sing, or write poetry and sing em like lyrics, or have more to contribute than just your guitar work, going by on just chord names is fine. The guitar no longer becomes your only tool for expression, instead, you are like dave, who by no means is an incredible guitarist. But his lyrics! Read them alone, they are poetry. And, he has developed his own style for guitar, his voice, his poems (lyrics, but to me they are more like poems), and together theyre amazing. If you are a singer/song writer theory i think isnt AS essential because your multitasking like a beeotch.

There are ALOT of paths to take with guitar. Just pick the one that will lead you to where you want to go. ..<end long post>

i probably contradicted myself ALOT up there. ::points to post::
Bleh. I dont feel like going back and proofreading.

[dmbguitar718]

dont make too big a deal about theory. yes, its complicated, yes its VERY in-depth.
But yes, it is a necessity.
Just take it one step at a time.
In the end, when you know some theory, and by theory i mean, chord names, key sigs, chord construction, > > > modes, > > > chord substitution >> more... life becomes beautiful.
The guitar no longer becomes a tree stump that makes noises. You no longer have to "search" for that note, or for that chord that makes your bridge..or struggle to improvize, or to get that riff down,and it doesnt make you a robot either. Theory helps you understand MANY other music styles, and more importantly lets you incorporate them into your own work. The goal for any musician is to be able to read their instrument like a book, and to have the instrument be an extension of them, where they can speak through it.
SPEAK through it. now thats profound.
Start learning now. Get lessons, read a book, play with others, get a guitar chord book, then a book with scales, and a book about theory.
Do something, your only limiting yourself if you dont.

However, if you sing, or write poetry and sing em like lyrics, or have more to contribute than just your guitar work, going by on just chord names is fine. The guitar no longer becomes your only tool for expression, instead, you are like dave, who by no means is an incredible guitarist. But his lyrics! Read them alone, they are poetry. And, he has developed his own style for guitar, his voice, his poems (lyrics, but to me they are more like poems), and together theyre amazing. If you are a singer/song writer theory i think isnt AS essential because your multitasking like a beeotch.

There are ALOT of paths to take with guitar. Just pick the one that will lead you to where you want to go. ..<end long post>

i probably contradicted myself ALOT up there. ::points to post::
Bleh. I dont feel like going back and proofreading.