Hi, i’m tired of not getting anywhere with my guitar skills. I’m currently a beginner grade 2 on the JG app. Same level i was 20 years ago.
So my question is can I take music theory classes now before i go further with the app or maybe I can do them simultaneously? This time i really want to take my guitar skills to the next level and be able to actually use my guitar and enjoy it instead of just playing a few riffs here and there…
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Hello Tor,
I think it is never too late or too early to start learning a theory. Best time is now.
You can go through first grade and you will see how few things “click” for you and you will understand more. 
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If theory is the direction you want to go then start it now. I think it is reasonable to do it alongside whatever you are currently doing. A few minutes a day would make a difference - it doesn’t have to be hours of study at a time.
With regards to learning riffs, I felt the same when I previously quit playing guitar. They’re fun but then you realise you can’t do anything with them! This time around I’ve focused on learning songs and despite what I said above, I’m not learning theory because songs are satisfying the itch I have. The thing is I’m not completely oblivious to music theory, some has crept in, and even by playing lots of songs you start to recognise patterns and things you could borrow.
At some point I will dive deeper into theory but for now I’m working on my playing so when I do learn theory, my hands will have some skills to apply it. So there are options, it doesn’t have to be completely one way or the other. Find what it is you enjoy about playing guitar and let that guide you
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I wasn’t aware of that “riff learning for fun and not getting anywhere” problem.
I was never much into learning riffs, probably too lazy
Like Matthew states, I think it’s really helpful to learn songs that you like with those video lessons like Justin gives.
Getting chords and strumming to some solid foundation.
I personally would start theory as soon as possible.
Here’s what worked best for me…
- To have at least some idea what you would like to do with the guitar, have some goals, or at least directions to head to.
- And then, hopefully to sense what kind of stuff is fun for you.
Then balance the fun stuff and the things that you think are necessary to bring you forward in that wanted direction.
For me the trick is to get the right amount of hard work (/torture ) and the stuff that is really fun. (While the hard work often can still be fun to some degree)
In order to stay motivated and have fun with the guitar and have the feeling you’re always advancing a bit.
Some here don’t mind a bigger part of hard work, some need more fun in the equation.
For me, it’s fluctuating and I had long times with strictly following the practice routine and like Justin recommends, some more fun parts at the end, like song practicing, and then other times where I was doodling and experimenting most of the time. The latter probably didn’t let me advance as fast, but I found that not only fun, but also useful!
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Do you keep a learning log or have previous recordings of yourself? I find occasionally reviewing some of my old notes helps establish a baseline for where I was and how far I have gone. I believe most of us have the same feeling at some point, but having some concrete reference point is important to see what has gotten better or not.
That said, to answer your question I think this one was spot on:
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@Svenssen
The truth is Music Theory doesn’t teach you how to play guitar, it teaches you how music works but if you don’t put the time in to learn how to play with focused practice you will continue on play riffs and going no further.
By the time you’re finished grade 2 you should have the skill to play easy versions of any song you want. The more songs you learn the easier it gets.
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Hi, Justin says that learning music theory is a Mega short cut…
“it is gona make you a better musician not just a much better player”
Maybe the intro video helps with your decision … I loved it so early in my guitar days and it helped me enormously … I also read that there are people who experienced it differently … good luck and have fun with what you do … at least learn to play songs and play them with the bands you like and more more
Welcome here and I wish you a lot of fun 
Greetings,Rogier
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+1 for this. I agree wholeheartedly with what Rick is stating here.
While music theory is great- it has its limits. I avoided music theory for a long time because I didn’t seem to have the patience and/or the desire to learn it. When I started writing my own music, I quickly realized that theory would make it much easier to understand what I was writing and make better choices.
What it does not do, however, is teach you how to play. That takes time, patience and regular practice. If you are only playing riffs and have not taken the time to learn full songs (or at least simplified versions of full songs) I would strongly recommend you start there. Almost any song you want to learn can be broken down and played with basic chords. Playing a song all the way through- even if it’s not exactly like the original version- is an amazing feeling and can help propel you further in your playing.
All that said, if learning theory is a motivator for you to practice, then it certainly doesn’t hurt to learn it! My advice would be to make sure you are learning it in tandem with regular practice and that your expectations are realistic. Otherwise it can just lead to more frustration.
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Hi Tor, firstly nice to meet you and secondly start music theory at least the basics because it will help and as soon as you get the taste of it you will want more I gaurantee it cheers Hec
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Hello Tor,
Go for it man. Learning how music works I think is invaluable. I’ve found its been the bedrock of my development over the last 5 years. Justins course is highly practical in nature, and will put your hands on the guitar where they belong; together with giving you a solid understanding.
Progressively, you can start to become your own teacher in many ways. I’ve found it has helped enormously, both creatively and technically. It has been a constant solid, logical companion, a time-saver and an enlightener.
The key I think is to always be ‘practically-orientated’; that way you are more likely to turn theory’s intellectual knowledge into practical competence.
Cheers, Shane
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100% agree. Learning music theory isn’t necessary at all to get to where you can play and sing songs all the way through. In fact, it could slow down your progress as you aren’t working on the basics.
I waited quite a few years before going down the path of seriously learning music theory. There’s no problem delaying it in my view.
I’m happily soaking up all the theory I can now and it does add to the big picture.
But, a lesson from Justin comes to mind. Learning something just because it will make you a better player “in the long run” is a really poor reason. He was applying that to learning scales.
As was said in the quote above so succintly: “What it does not do, however, is teach you how to play. That takes time, patience and regular practice.”
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Can you learn how to play anything on the guitar without music theory?
Sure.
Will understanding theory provide the skills to play the guitar?
No.
I presume everyone above who suggests not focussing on learning theory did learn many of the basics in the beginning. (What’s a tone, a semi-tone, what notes make up a chord etc.) Justin teaches music theory in his modules right from Grade 1. There’s a reason for that.
Learning theory will not only allow you to progress faster (because you understand what you’re doing), but it also makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable 
Why not do the first couple of modules on the theory course which are free and give you some basics. Then decide whether you find it useful or fun and take it from there?
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Wow – the feedback is amazing! I see both sides of the argument. I could start today, wait six months, or even hold off for two to three years.
The thing is, I started playing guitar 25 years ago but “dropped out” when it got too difficult and required more effort from me. I recently picked it up again for various reasons, but I can already feel myself wanting to quit now that it’s getting harder to reach the next level. That pretty much sums me up.
However, this time I promised myself that quitting wasn’t an option, which is why I asked about music theory. I’ve already completed grades 1 and 2, but I knew most of that material already.
My initial plan was to study music theory while playing and practicing at the same time—not rushing anything, just taking it step by step. The main reason I quit 25 years ago was probably that I tried to skip too many steps along the way. I didn’t have the patience.
Thank you so much for the feedback—it’s very much appreciated!
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Music Theory will not change this. Learning guitar is hard, just like any other skill. Knowing a Major Chord is made up of a Root, 3rd, and 5th will not put you fingers on those note or help with chord changes or playing songs.
You said you completed grade 1 and grade 2.
Can you play 20 songs from memory, start to finish. If not you haven’t finished either grade and need to consolidate those first 2 grades.
Sorry if this sound harsh but that the only way you’ll learn to play guitar.
Hi Tor,
Take a look at the video below and decide for now who you want to be or whagt you want to learn … in any case, learn to play songs … done with grade 2 and not playing songs yet is really not how it will work … even if it is a few grade 1 campfire songs … but it is now really time to be able to play songs, and use that piece of wood for what it is intended for … Or you have to be an Investor who hangs expensive guitars on the wall for later 
1 tip , learn to play some songs 
Greetings
Learning guitar is not hard.
It’s fun
It’s only hard if you set yourself goals that you struggle with.
I’d be hard pushed to play a single song from start to finish from memory, and I doubt I’ll ever learn 20 (although it’s something I’m working on at the moment ).
I don’t want to rehash our differing opinions and hope you don’t mind if I repost a link that deals with some of the issues being discussed here. It contains some interesting thoughts.
I don’t quite understand your motivation though @Svenssen. You say you started again for various reasons and you are frustrated at not improving your skills. Do you not enjoy playing? There will always be higher levels you can or will not attain, no matter how good you become. If you’re not enjoying the process, you might want to rethink the whole endeavour.
I hope you find your path
For various reasons is probably a wrong why of putting it. I’m not gonna go into details, but physical and mental health is part of it. I want something else than computer games to use as an “escape” from reality if that makes sense. I love music, i love playing guitar. I can play a lot of song, maybe not by heart but play along. I just think my main issue is how to learn, how to progress, how to move on. I am following the grades on the app and i will continue to do so. I just want to do it “correct” this time. Maybe my mistake is that i set unrealistic goals for my self? Wouldn’t the the first time.
Hi Tor, Here’s a middle argument (from my own experience): If you’re curious about music theory, start with Justin’s course. When you get to a place that it doesn’t seem productive, just set it aside for a while. For me, that was when we got to triads…they’re really cool, and simple in concept, but it’s taking me a long time to learn the physicality of then. So I set theory aside for a while. Triads are coming up now in my playing, so I’m getting excited again! Also, I peeked ahead to some other topics past triads. That’s legit too.
I guess what I’m saying is that in my experience, it’s ok and even good to start and stop. 
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Yes sure you can. I think the time to learn music theory is when you need it. There’s no real point in having lots of theory knowledge that you don’t apply or aren’t able to apply. So I use theory as part of my musical journey.
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