Is this normal?

[TheLastDodoBird]

I've been playing guitar for oh... 3 years and some change now, and I really haven't started playing too heavily until this summer as I worked 7 am to 12 pm and basically had nothing to do every day from 12 - the evening. I really can't go a day without playing the guitar for a long time anymore, otherwise I just go nuts.

Anyways, real problem of mine is: I know roughly 30 Dave songs (I'm obsessive and know very few songs from other artists) and by "know" I mean I can play them from memory as perfectly as possible... but yet... I don't understand musical theory at all. I don't know any counts, measures, meter, etc... I basically know nothing, though with my lessons which I've just recently picked up again, my guitar instructor is trying somewhat feebly to explain things to me... so I'm asking... where do I start? keeping in mind that I know all the notes on the guitar (just learned this, but it takes me time to figure out as I really only know the formula for it) and... basically that's about it...

...help?

[DMBFan63]

I've been playing guitar for oh... 3 years and some change now, and I really haven't started playing too heavily until this summer as I worked 7 am to 12 pm and basically had nothing to do every day from 12 - the evening. I really can't go a day without playing the guitar for a long time anymore, otherwise I just go nuts.

Anyways, real problem of mine is: I know roughly 30 Dave songs (I'm obsessive and know very few songs from other artists) and by "know" I mean I can play them from memory as perfectly as possible... but yet... I don't understand musical theory at all. I don't know any counts, measures, meter, etc... I basically know nothing, though with my lessons which I've just recently picked up again, my guitar instructor is trying somewhat feebly to explain things to me... so I'm asking... where do I start? keeping in mind that I know all the notes on the guitar (just learned this, but it takes me time to figure out as I really only know the formula for it) and... basically that's about it...

...help?

There are a lot of people that don't know the theory behind music. I suggest going out and taking some music theory classes or buying some books on it.

[Matty Boom]

go into the general guitar forum and at the top there is a stickied thread that has links to as many websites as you can handle for learning about music

[Speenis]

I've been playing guitar for oh... 3 years and some change now, and I really haven't started playing too heavily until this summer as I worked 7 am to 12 pm and basically had nothing to do every day from 12 - the evening. I really can't go a day without playing the guitar for a long time anymore, otherwise I just go nuts.

Anyways, real problem of mine is: I know roughly 30 Dave songs (I'm obsessive and know very few songs from other artists) and by "know" I mean I can play them from memory as perfectly as possible... but yet... I don't understand musical theory at all. I don't know any counts, measures, meter, etc... I basically know nothing, though with my lessons which I've just recently picked up again, my guitar instructor is trying somewhat feebly to explain things to me... so I'm asking... where do I start? keeping in mind that I know all the notes on the guitar (just learned this, but it takes me time to figure out as I really only know the formula for it) and... basically that's about it...

...help?

I suggest you start practicing playing in time. Just listen to Carter in most songs and tap your foot or something to stay in time.

[Elliottman]

I suppose it just depends if you want to know music theory. Ive been playing for about a year and i also know very little, and really dont have that much interest either. I just enjoy learning Dave songs and messing around. Maybe one day ill want to know theory, but right now i couldnt care less!

[c_tietze]

To gain the most enjoyment from your instrument I would take care not to limit yourself to one artist or one style. Play other songs, other styles and don't put too much pressure on yourself.

[Jer1400]

I would say turn to the internet, books, and/or a personal instructor to learn theory. Music Theory classes can often feel more like math classes and have a history of turning people off from learning theory on more than one occasion if they expect the class to be much of anything else. Above all, every time you learn something, write some music and apply it! Whether it's a guitar riff, chord progression, or a 3-movement guitar concerto with a mass of string and wind instruments backing it, just write something. :)