Just picking up grade 3 after a short hiatus. Interesting questions.
I want to learn theory in parallel to the beginner course as ı hate being a PHD (push here dummy). I’m a scientist and want/need to understand how it works and the underlying principles of anything I am learning. I hope it will enable me to be a better player.
I never really did theory before other than school and some basic piano so nothing got in my way. I’m picking up guitar again in my mid 50’s as a challenge/hobby and think without theory I’ll just be a PHD.
BHAG- haven’t heard that one for about 20y. Was one of our old managers favourites. I’m playing for myself for now but I want music theory to help me play well across the fretboard and not get stuck down the cowboy end. Who knows where it’ll go but I want the journey to be fun and interesting.
I am an amateur piano player moving into intermediate/advanced level and just picked up the guitar recently to open my options for small band/singing groups. After about a week of trying to learn it I knew it would take a while to fully understand the instrument beyond simple chord and scale shapes, so I decided to get started here, with my overall goal being; Be able to easily identify and play notes anywhere on the neck, get a good understanding of how to form chords and melodies/harmonies on the guitar, and be able to apply all of those concepts to play and learn music on the fly, mostly thinking about the actual music and notes rather than the fretboard.
The reason I’d like to learn music theory Is that I’d like to improve my improvisation, and songwriting skills. I want to make my own music, and I believe that intimate knowledge of what music is and what goes into it is necessary for that.
Because I want to make music that actually sounds like music
At 41, my husband gave me a DJ controller because I’m obsessed with EDM. I never imagined doing something like that — turns out, I can! DJing gave me confidence, and now I want to produce my own tracks… just for fun.
Then at 42, I picked up my stepdaughter’s mini Taylor and found JustinGuitar (thanks, Google). I’m nearly through Grade 2 and loving it, but I still feel stuck when it comes to freestyling or understanding how songs are built.
So, I’m learning theory — not to be Mozart, just to feel a little more in control of the sounds I make. And maybe throw in a cool guitar riff or two without needing to ask for help.
Cool post Lindsay!
All very good reasons to learn theory! My mantra for anyone who is playing a musical instrument, regardless of their skillset is to always remember to keep things fun! I’m a father of three adult children… all of whom played instruments or sang in choir in school. None of them continued with their music after they were out of school. I asked my son why once… “It was the music theory, Dad. It was so dry & boring that it took all the fun out of making music for me!” I wish music teachers could find a way to keep young minds more entertained while teaching theory… the kids would be more likely to continue as musicians as they grew into their 20s & 30s!
Short term: Want to be able to hear the notes from other songs, whether it is other instruments or even vocals and be able to understand what I’m hearing(musically) and transcribe into guitar. Not all kids music has tabs and want to be a ‘family’ musician for my daughter. Bring family together through music.
Long term: want to be able to write my own songs. Get the music out of my head into paper and refine/improve it/myself
Just signed up for this after completing the first 2 modules. I studied Theory 2 years in high school and 1 year in college, but that was a long time ago. I need a refresher and a way to understand it all in the context of the guitar.
To learn enough theory to hold my own at Blues Jams no matter what gets called out. Plus i would like to try writing songs at some point.
2.If you have tried learning music theory before, why did it go wrong? How will you avoid that same problem?
I tried many years ago with Music theory books (Remember those old things …“books”) It just never clicked or made any sence to me. So I got frustrated and quit and just jammed with friends and struggled that way which was at least more fun at the time. I never made it as a musician / guitarist so that was probably not the best plan. I hope this time Learning theory as I learn the guitar will avoid that problem.
What’s your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Guitar Goal)?
Well, I’m to old to have any Big goals in anything, I have to just enjoy the process from here on out. lol
I started playing guitar a little more than a year ago when I retired using the Justin Guitar website and app. I’m now 65 and my ultimate goal is to be able to improvise with others as well as play and sing in front of a family, friends and other gatherings.
I’m an older new student, 44. Bought a guitar 1 year ago and did your Grade 1 lessons course…really loved the course and learned a lot…def made big improvements. Then got really busy with work and next thing knew hadn’t picked up guitar in 6 months.
I’m back now and hope to stick with it.
Really just want to be able to play songs around the “camp fire” with friends or at home. Also, oddly enough, want to learn how to play all the scales, etc…I just like listening to others play so would love to be able to play at home. Have a friend of a friend who is in a band and he recommended starting out learning music theory asap…so I’m here. Thanks, Michael
Why am I doing theory? Understanding theory helps you to learn the instrument more quickly. As you’ve called it a practical course, I’m assuming that will be the case with this course.
What do I expect to get? Be able to apply the theory I already know to the guitar, and hopefully pick up additional theory I don’t know to guitar and my other instruments (piano and bass). As a niche one: get better at transitioning between modes. E.g. from dorian to Ionian via Mixolydian, then back to Dorian and doing it without having to go to the new key centre at the point of modulation.
Big hairy what’s it? Become a better songwriter. Maybe get paid for playing and teaching music when I finish the day job (next 5 years).
I’m brand new to guitar and doing the beginner courses on the app. I wanted to learn theory alongside it as a supplement so I had a better understanding of the why of how things worked and came together. Ultimately, I’d like to be able to improvise well and just enjoy playing around by myself in my spare time. Thanks!
Hey Justin and Team,
I first want to say that I really like the way you teach. I have been “playing” acoustic guitar, on and off, for a little over 40 years now. I never really got past playing some riffs, strumming some chords and that’s about it. I just never know what to do next. I have never had any theory lessons or any lessons at all.
I saw your video on the critique of the Boss Katana 50 which I just got (gen 3 ex). I saw how you went through all kinds of riffs, scales or whatever you call what you were playing and that is something that I would like to do. My ultimate goal is to song-write so I feel I need to know theory first. While I can play chords just fine, I do not feel confident nor knowing my way around the full fretboard like you do and that is where I want to be. I now have both an acoustic and an electric guitar.
I want to make learning music easier. I’ve always found music and playing guitar difficult. I’m not even sure if this course will help but I’m hoping a greater understanding of how music works might make the learning process easier.
If you have tried learning music theory before, why did it go wrong? How will you avoid that same problem?
My first guitar teacher 40 years ago was using very antiquated teaching methods. I was expected to memorize all the notes on the fretboard and when I failed I got negative feedback. As a 12 year old I was intimidated and scarred for life. At this stage in my life I’m just going to do the best I can. Chip away at it a little bit each day.
What’s your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Guitar Goal)?
I want to arrange songs. Several of my favourite youtubers are guitarist who do cover songs, but don’t always play the original version but can come up with an even better arrangement of a song.
Hi Guys
Have played basic guitar on and off for about 20 years. Mainly so I could sing along.
We left Australia to travel around Europe before we were too old, so we sold everything including my guitar.
So not having a guitar to play thought now would be a good time to look at music theory as had not done any since school! About 40 years.
So when I buy my new guitar in about four months, I should have a great knowledge of theory to then start playing again. As not not working will have heaps of time to play.
Thanks loving the course so far. Thanks
