Am learning music theory because something feels off. You’ve done a great job in the beginner guitar modules (like you always do), but even though i can read tabs, improved my fretting hand skills & strumming, i feel like their is a missing piece. It feels like am just going by the book, I can’t add any thing to my playing to create a melody or something, so my playing feels kind of “dull” i guess. So that’s why, i want to understand music, to give me a deeper understanding of what am playing, and to give me more freedom too.
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why am in studying theory,
I had brain sugery and the docter said that i needed to bild my motor schills back up so i grabed the guitar what took me a year to learn the average person that has the will power i do could probably master in 2 mounths. music theory is more of a goal for me to master the kool thing is what i master will be yoused over and over again thank you
Jim. P.S. sorry about the spelling.
- List item
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I know exactly how you feel, and I’ve now gone through a bit of the music theory course, and I’ve started to uncover that little missing piece that seems to be missing. I encourage you to continue to learn music theory even when things get a little confusing. That missing piece will soon become clear when you’re just noodling on the guitar and I’m sure you’ll have made a few unique melodies in no time.
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*** What would you like to get out of this course?
Basically to be able to produce my own original musical creations so that I can say - now that’s my voice, that’s me speaking and I’m playing inclusively with my musical mates and we are creating a ‘band’ sound that excites and inspires an audience
*** If you have tried learning music theory before, why did it go wrong? How will you avoid that same problem?
I’m into my 3rd age - 50+ - and music theory has turned me off expressing myself - I’d sooner play 3 chords with feeling than 20 with trepidation - but my Jazz buddies have blown me away with their ability to improvise and constantly reinvent their tunes every time they play, its a joy too listen to and I want part of it - I prefer instrumental music and music theory is a must to keep the joy flowing - so your method is inspiring and clear - so I’ll give it one more go!!
- What’s your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Guitar Goal)?
To be able to play bass in my favourite band - they play World Music/Jazz and have come out of Jazz School and are music teachers - they blow my mind with their tunes, and I would love to be part of their live shows playing a stringed instrument instead of the Djembe (although I do love percussion too he he) Oh and lay down guitars, chords and melodies in studio productions too - Thank you for inspiring me Justin and the team xo
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I learn for the same reason, I love bossa nova and jazz and want to understand what’s going on. 
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Why Am I learning Music Theory? Because I want to know WHY!!! I’m just at the end of Justins grade two beginners course and I am loving learning guitar. When I talk to my other guitar playing friends they say things like play pentatonic scale progression 1,3,4 or 1,5,3,4. And I have no idea what that means. And what does it mean if I’m playing in the key of C vs E. These are questions that I have but haven’t found a solid answer too. Sure I could probably google it for a quick answer, or I could take a course and hopefully get a more thorough understanding to build my musical foundation. I’m a mechanic, so I’m naturally drawn to the nuts and bolts of how things work. I think the nuts and bolts of music will lie in the theory. Which will help me fill in the blanks of the fundamental foundation I’m learning in the Beginner course.
Thanks,
Chewy
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Hi, I am committing to learning music theory because I want to be able to improvise.
I came to learning guitar in my early fifties a few years ago after a cancer diagnosis and a living with cancer outcome. The cancer physio suggested learning a new skill, something involving both hands that would require both sides of my brain. So that I wouldn’t be able to worry because my brain would be fully focused! I had wanted to learn to play guitar all my life, having been told all through school that I wasn’t musical and couldn’t sing and playing guitar is too hard. So learning guitar became something I would do when I was older, then when I had more time.
Been learning from you tube and only recently now doing your beginners course and it is so good! I am so grateful for you for putting it together. I really wish I found it at the start of my guitar journey.
I am hoping by following your courses I will become able to play confidently.
My Big Hairy Dream… to be able to improvise, play the blues and be able to play with other people. That is the dream.
Thanks again
Fi
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@BlackVenus
Welcome to the Community, Fiona.
The dream of so many of us here. And if you follow the courses, slow and steady, I think making the dream a reality is achievable.
Wish you well, enjoy the adventure, day by day.
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Hey, I‘m 43 y old and practicing Guitar for nearly a year. After Beginner Grade 1&2 (in the App) more and more questions came up. So I was looking for theory, although I did not know of it. Now that I found it, things get clearer and my understanding deepens. That gives me more confidence in playing and I hope, that my skills in Improvisation will improve. Thank you so far - I really enjoy it. Chris
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I’d say my motivation is probably the same as for so many of us, a drive and want to understand what I am playing and hearing. Properly understand how something is build and the logic behind it enables you to go from just copying to modifying and actually creating something original.
Not just having to learn every chord/scale/… by heart but understanding them and forming them from that understanding sounds pretty neat as well!
Never really had any musical training before (apart from some basics on the piano from my GF) so all of this is very new and exciting!
My long term goal is being able to sit in at (Irish) session and pick up how something is played and how to transpose it so it fits with other instruments.
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Hi Christian,
Welcome here and I wish you much further musical wisdom…
My reason for doing the Theory course was because Justin said in one of the first videos I saw that theory would be a short cut to play guitar better… and he is right…
that same day I made the purchase …I owe him eternal thanks for that…well eternally…in any case I will have to pay for a time ,and paying also apply the paying forward principle 
Greetings,Rogier
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So, why is the music theory course being undertaken? It was started because it was suggested that it would make me a better musician, now, some years later that has proven to be so. My knowledge now concerning music in general and guitar in particular is at a point where it is felt that when a stringed instrument is picked up, not so much mystery is inherent within; notes can be seen, placement of fingers and why is known, music can be made, fun can be had. There is yet much to learn and the road in retrospect is long, but so worthwhile. Studying music theory is helping me to become a fully rounded musician. In turn for me a better human being.
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Why music theory? In large part because you recommended it as a way to better understand the guitar and how music is created. So, I trust you!
I like to understand how things work, so I think I’ll find it interesting.
I’ve never taken a Theory course before.
I hope to one day be able to improvise on the guitar.
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Sean
Welcome to the community 
Totally agree the theory course gives you an understanding what you are actually doing when you play the guitar.
Michael
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Why do I want to study theory? Guitar tabs have helped me learn a few Metal / Rock songs. Rhythm, Lead etc. But, I cannot play simple tunes (Happy Birthday) without the help of tabs. That’s a bit shameful. 
I was told theory would help me here and expand my skills. Hence, here I am.
Tried learning music before? Yes. There’s a youtube series by Andrew Furmanczyk - a 50+ lessons series. I think lasted upto 19 of them.
Reasons for dropping off: work pressures.
What will I do to not drop off again: There is a decent work-life balance now. I’m enjoying the progress tracking in the mobile app. Expecting the same here on the website. Would be great if the mobile app and website had a data sync and all lessons were available in both places.
BIG GOAL: Nothing BIG as of now. I just want to enjoy playing along with anything I hear, without getting stuck on how to find the next notes / chords to play etc.
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Hi Viswanath,
Welcome and,
Nooo…only a pity
Well being here and wanting to learn theory…
that IS a big goal, a very nice and big goal with which you will improve and accelerate your guitar playing in a way that many unfortunately do not believe, and you really don’t have to understand or apply everything for that… that goes perfectly in small goals … but it quickly becomes very positively BIG…
I wish you a lot of fun and a nice learning curve,
Greetings,Rogier
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I learned theory to understand music better, the hows, why’s, what ifs etc etc!
Without learning I would still have been aimlessly noodling around in oblivion without a clue what I was doing and getting frustrated by my lack of ability to make any sense of it all. That said you need to have the motivation to get up off your backside and get on with it!
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I want to be able to be confident to communicate with other musicians and know why certain scales / chords work well together. I also want to understand why certain sequences of notes seem to fit together perfectly.
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It’s great to see so many people coming along to the theory course and sharing their motivations.
If you need any help,just ask.
Cheers 
| Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide, Approved Teacher & Moderator