Should You Learn Music Theory?

Learn to Play Like
Your Favorite Guitar Hero

If you want to be a great musician, you need to know music theory.

Many guitar players teach themselves to play guitar by sitting in front of the stereo copping licks from their favorite players. That's how I learned to play and it's a great way to get rockin' fast.

But once you get up and running you need to get some music theory under your belt. This is so that you understand why your favorites are playing what they play, and so that in the future you can start incorporating your own theory and style into your guitar playing.

Music theory opens up a whole new world of musical possiblities for you. Sure, it's a helluva lotta fun to play like the old blues guys, who were quite simplistic and wonderful in their playing, but if you want to get it on like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani or Yngwie Malmsteen, you're going to need some theory under your belt.

Music theory teaches you things like what notes to play over what chords. Some will be in the tonal center and some will be atonal, or outside of the tonal center. This gives music a dissonant sound which causes tension that is released once the musician returns to the tonal center. Jazz and classical players are notorious for this.

It's also important that you develop your ear training so that you can identify notes when you hear them. This helps you to learn songs quickly, cop your favorite licks and even hear ideas in your head so you can improvise. You want to be able to improvise so you can jam and make up your own solos as you go along.

A great way to learn these things is through the Jamorama Guitar Course. It comes with lots of CDs, training books and software to not only teach you how to be a great player, but to learn music theory and develop your ear.

Much of this is done through fun games that keep your interest piqued and keep you coming back for more. There is enough in these lessons to keep you learning for many months to come. After you do all the lessons, you and your friends are going to be astounded at your ability.