Guitar theory

[shreddingjoris]

Hey everybody,

I'm searching for a great place on the web to learn guitar-theorie from beginners to advanced to "pro".

This is because i'm thinking about giving guitar lessons, but i want to be prepared!
So if u know something great from A to Z pls post it here

[Blue]

Totally depends on which level you want to teach at. Besides, teaching has a lot to do with other stuff than actually knowing theory, knowing the methods of teaching and communication is something that is way more important IMO. Doesn't really matter how much math you know if you don't have those skills.

With that said I don't know any great sources on the internet, but thats because I haven't really searched, I'm sure you'll find if you do a search, internet is a gigantic so I would be surprised if you don't find what you need without paying anything. If not on one place at least on several different places.

I've used Ted Greene's "Chord Chemistry" book which I think is a great book for learning chord theory. As far as I'm concerned, if you know how everything works on a fundamental level it's more important to focus on learning methods of teaching/communication to be a good teacher.

The book isn't free but it's not expensive and it's one of the best books I've bought, all categories. His other books are great too but Chord Chemistry is the most important. If you don't have it, get it.

[shreddingjoris]

Thxs i will check out that book!
And yes u are right what u say about teaching and communication, working on it

[Michael Angelo Batio]

If you don't mind, the correct spelling is - theory. I really think the best way to start is to work on the basic modes. For example, the major scale is a mode called the Ionian mode. From there, you want to learn which triads fall on each scale or mode degree. This is the foundation of Music Theory. Scales, modes and the chords that are built upon those scales and modes. From there, a lot of directions are good. Too many times, people skip these basics. They do not start at the beginning. Then it becomes frustrating, when gaps in your knowledge surface and you don't have the basics to fill in those gaps. I am sure that you can find this information on line. I'm sure people here on the forum can direct you to that info. Thanks.

[karo123]

ultimate-guitar.com has alot of basic theory lessons if youre looking for something for free

[shreddingjoris]

Dec 28, 2012 17:45:33 GMT -6 Michael Angelo Batio said:

If you don't mind, the correct spelling is - theory. I really think the best way to start is to work on the basic modes. For example, the major scale is a mode called the Ionian mode. From there, you want to learn which triads fall on each scale or mode degree. This is the foundation of Music Theory. Scales, modes and the chords that are built upon those scales and modes. From there, a lot of directions are good. Too many times, people skip these basics. They do not start at the beginning. Then it becomes frustrating, when gaps in your knowledge surface and you don't have the basics to fill in those gaps. I am sure that you can find this information on line. I'm sure people here on the forum can direct you to that info. Thanks.

LoL stupid mistake , thxs for noticing, english ain't my mother language :-)

And thxs for the info!

[S-H]

Hey Joris,

In the UK, guitar teachers have a better chance of getting students if they have a qualification from the Registry of Guitar Tutors: www.rgt.org/ .

They do exams up to Bacehlor's degree level equivalent (Licenciate). www.rgt.org/downloads/exams/RGT_ElectricGuitarTeachingDiplomas.pdf

Teaching is the best way guitar-playing bums like ourselves can earn money plus many have said teaching others has helped their own development and understanding of their craft.

[Raj]

I'd recommend learning music theory from a straight music theory text, as opposed to a guitar one. You could do this in the context of any college course, or if that's not available, study something like the Walter Piston theory stuff independently and email local teachers if you have questions. I found that just learning the theory (in a music class from a teacher) on the staff of sheet music helped me more than my previous attempts of trying to pick things up in a guitar setting, like say the Vinnie Moore instructional video. Then after you learn about scale construction then the ideas about starting on certain scale degrees makes more sense and you go back to the Vinnie Moore video, or whichever one, and you understand what he's doing with modes or so forth.

[stradovarious]

Dec 28, 2012 17:45:33 GMT -6 Michael Angelo Batio said:

If you don't mind, the correct spelling is - theory. I really think the best way to start is to work on the basic modes. For example, the major scale is a mode called the Ionian mode. From there, you want to learn which triads fall on each scale or mode degree. This is the foundation of Music Theory. Scales, modes and the chords that are built upon those scales and modes. From there, a lot of directions are good. Too many times, people skip these basics. They do not start at the beginning. Then it becomes frustrating, when gaps in your knowledge surface and you don't have the basics to fill in those gaps. I am sure that you can find this information on line. I'm sure people here on the forum can direct you to that info. Thanks.

I wholeheartedly agree; changed my major from classical guitar performance to composition for a year, then went back to the guitar major after realizing I should combine the two.

I learned a whole lot about theory during that time and there is no substitute for learning the basics, the ABSTRACT basics, AWAY from the fretboard, and of course you then want to devote yourself to mastering application to the fretboard as well.

I think it's best to nail the abstract "theory on paper" concepts first, or at least in conjunction with direct application to whatever instrument you play.

These two pursuits may initially be thought of as distinct processes until they naturally merge into a single body of both abstract AND practical/ direct application knowledge.

The light bulb went off for me one morning in the 80's at around 2 am when was trying to master modal/ scale theory and I realized that there is a simple formula of half and whole steps for each mode/ scale.

I have seen this presented this way in materials since, but not nearly often enough- it is far simpler than the way in which most resources present it.

I was fortunate to have this just come to me one day, as I said, so I made some video clips explaining it all. I made these a little over a year ago.

Here you go. I strongly recommend watching parts 2 and 3 FIRST, so I posted them in that order. Part 1 should be viewed last of all:


Part 2 (watch this first):

Part 3 (watch this second):

And finally, part 1 should be viewed last as it puts everything into sort of watered down historical perspective:
Part 1:

[shreddingjoris]

Thxs for posting guys, i'll check it out!

[stradovarious]

I really like this book for the basics of theory for guitarists, as well as another book called "Intelli-Shred- The Thinking Guitarist's Guide to Melodic Mastery" from Alfred's Publishing.

However it should be supplemented or even prefaced by this fantastic book from Hal Leonard. I think everyone should own both!

Here is a link to the 2nd book "Music Theory For Guitarists"; they also have MAB's stuff for sale at this link (Guitar World) but of course we might as well just buy all our MAB materials right here on the MAB forum, right?
store.guitarworld.com/products/music-theory-for-guitarists

[visita]

Try www.mymusictheory.com. There are grades 1-6 there, each of them consisting of many lessons, and there are also exercises based on them. I went through them myself some time ago and found them very usefull.

[Deleted]

I have just started learning guitar theory. I have a really good book I am reading at the moment "Modern Music Theory for Guitarists" Joseph Alexander. So far I have learned about the construction of the major and minor scales in different keys, harmonising the major scale "building chords" and doing chord progressions. This is the first part of the book but it goes on to teach about different scales, modes, arpeggios etc which I havent got too yet. Its written in a simple way for young muscians to understand. I am also doing the metal method "Melodic Priciples" Sarah Spisak volume 1 series which is very good. I thought it would be really difficult to learn but I'm surprised how simple it is really. I never thought I would enjoy learning theory!