No matter what I do...I just don't can't get my head around music theory.

[-=MYK=-]

I've tried, and tried.

Reading through one website to another, each one becoming more and more confusing than the last.

Maybe I'm doomed

[dkaplowitz]

What are you not getting? The names of the notes? Intervals? Key signatures? Rhythm and meter/time signatures? Harmony? Ask some questions and maybe some people here can help make it simpler.

[-=MYK=-]

I don't understand any of it.

People on here talk about playing this scale over these chords, and they might as well just be typing out random letters on the keyboard.

Key sigs won't be that hard for me to figure out.

No clue what harmony is.

I understand most stuff about timing.

[Gaz]

hey Man, if it is true , about the glue, it will be tough to concentrate...even a little pot can make you too ancy ...so try learning the chords to songs, and sing over them, that's as good a start as anything else, just keep doing what feels good... the theory will make sense later, as you use it...play in front of people, practice alone if you are self concious...but, Keep It Fun....

[-=MYK=-]

I havn't sniffed any glue in a long time.

You want me to sing? The windows will break. hahah!

I hope it makes sense sooner or later.

[flatfinger]

Well,
it is true that it's been made more difficult than it has to be. most nomenclature involves old greek and roman names( often 2 or 3 for the same concept) . The best thing to do is to break it down into small concepts and worry about the big picture a little later on. The good news on key sigs is that most guitar oreinted music is in A, G, E, or C, really.

You can memorize 4 , right? Just keep at it and remeber that the main thing to do is develop your ear. If it sounds good , know one will care about the technical aspects except the guys at your publishing CO. who are releasing your songbooks!!!!!

[Thwap]

Yo Myk, sometimes the hardest part to learning theory is that there are different approaches to it, so you can get a whole lot of not necessarily conflicting information, but confused information from too many sources.

My suggestion would be pick a system, I started with the Fretboard Logic CAGED system. It worked well for me to get started. But I'm thinking if you take one system, whichever one it is and apply yourself to it, if you have questions it will be much easier for someone to help you out. I obviously don't know where you're at as far as what you want to learn, but start slowly, you know maybe work on chord/scale relationships, and don't move on from there until you've got it cold. Just remember, it's not a race, take your time, you'll get it

[-=MYK=-]

Perhaps I will try out this Fretboard Logic thingy.

Best wishes,

-Michael

[Tom Gross]

Originally Posted by Thwap

Yo Myk, sometimes the hardest part to learning theory is that there are different approaches to it, so you can get a whole lot of not necessarily conflicting information, but confused information from too many sources.

My suggestion would be pick a system, I started with the Fretboard Logic CAGED system. It worked well for me to get started. But I'm thinking if you take one system, whichever one it is and apply yourself to it, if you have questions it will be much easier for someone to help you out. I obviously don't know where you're at as far as what you want to learn, but start slowly, you know maybe work on chord/scale relationships, and don't move on from there until you've got it cold. Just remember, it's not a race, take your time, you'll get it

Yes, great advice.

It not only isn't a race, it will not work if you race thru it.
It is important to be patient, and to learn stuff one thing at a time, often without understanding right then how it will be useful.
The CAGED system is a good one, cause it builds off of chord shapes we all know.
If you walk the path patiently, pretty soon you'll start having those "Ah-Ha!" moments where it starts to come together & be useful.

[justicetones]

+1 on the CAGED system.

I am embarrassed to say that sometimes I have to think harder than I should about where I am on the fretboard and where notes are that are in close proximity. :NUTS


I learned guitar more as patterns and by ear.

As someone that works sometimes as a guitarist it is sad. I am focusing completely on brushing up on the CAGED system and also I am using Tomo's DVD Accelerate your guitar playing. :RoCkIn

[StevenA]

Why do you need to learn music theory? No matter how hard I try I can't get my head around dancing! So I don't do it! I also can't get my head around physics but that doesn't mean that I don't drive a car. Have fun playing.
There is always the alternative.

Steven

[-=MYK=-]

I want to learn it so that I can understand music from a theory standpoint, and not just 'oh this sounds good', I already know how to do that part.

[justicetones]

Originally Posted by StevenA

Why do you need to learn music theory? No matter how hard I try I can't get my head around dancing! So I don't do it! I also can't get my head around physics but that doesn't mean that I don't drive a car. Have fun playing.
There is always the alternative.

Steven

+1 Have fun playing. 100% agreed

Knowing Theory makes you a better musician BUT it should not be such an obsession that you can't and don't have fun playing. Theory should be one regiment of practicing not the ONLY.

[jspax7]

Originally Posted by -=MYK=-

I want to learn it so that I can understand music from a theory standpoint, and not just 'oh this sounds good', I already know how to do that part.

If you don't read music, start there. 15 min. a day will be easy to do. Take your time. Say the name of each note, (aloud) as you play.

Music is about notes and their relationship to chords. (chords are basically 3 notes.)

Start with the key of C Major. C D E F G A B C

Every other note gives you a chord.

Example; (C) D (E) F (G) is a C Major chord.

Here's how it breaks down in C Major:

C Major = CEG
D minor = DFA
E minor = EGB
F Major = FAC
G Major = GBD
A minor = ACE
B minor7b5 = BDFA. This chord is seldom used in Rock, but is used in a minor Blues or in Jazz.

Now, record a 2 chord progression. C Major to E minor.
C = CEG
Em= EGB

Which note in Em is not in the C chord? (answer = B)
Play a C major scale, but hang out around the C note. When the chord changes to Em, move to the B note. (Magic!) You've just made the chord/scale connection.

Try recording C Major and any other chord in the key. (2 chords at a time for now) The "key" (pun intended) is to be able to change from any note in the C chord to any note in the E minor chord. (or whatever chord you choose)

Practice spelling out the chords in C major. Then play the notes in a familiar location. (scale pattern) Use 1 position. (the one you know best)

The idea is application. When you learn a concept, apply it! When you can do this well, you're ready for a new concept.

If you have any other questions, send me a PM.
Hope this helps.

By the way, the key of C Major is also the key of A minor, so start with an A minor chord and apply the same concept. (2 chords only. It's clearer that way.)

[lhallam]

First and foremost, you won't be able to apply your theory until you know the fretboard inside and out. If you don't know it, get it down cold.

Next learn what an interval is. Then memorize all the intervals because they are the cells upon which the music/theory is built.

INTERVALS
Perfect unison = the same pitch (EG 5th fret B string and 6th string open E)
minor 2nd = one 1/2 step (one fret)
Major 2nd = one whole step (two frets)
minor 3rd = three 1/2 steps (three frets)
Major 3rd = four 1/2 steps (four frets)
Perfect 4th = five 1/2 steps
augment 4th AKA diminished 5th = six 1/2 steps
Perfect 5th = seven 1/2 steps
minor 6th = eight 1/2 steps
Major 6th = nine 1/2 step
minor 7th = ten 1/2 steps
Major 7th = eleven 1/2 steps
Perfect Octave = twelve 1/2 steps

A to Bb = minor 2nd
A to B = Major 2nd
A to C = minor 3rd
A to C# = Major 3rd
etc...

Once you get this basic alphabet, the rest comes easier. Also, it really really helps to know and reference a keyboard because you can see the note relationships much clearer.

NOTE: Notice no black key between B & C and E & F. Memorize when playing only the white keys (natural notes - no sharps or flats) that from B to C = one 1/2 step and from E to F = one 1/2 step, all the rest are whole steps. This will help you in the future.

Don't make it more complicated than it really is. There are a few things you need to memorize and the rest is very logical. Sort of like learning a theorem in math.

If you have a particular issue that is confusing you don't hesitate to email me or post and I'll do my best to provide the correct answer. I'm sure others will as well.

These are all accurate replies and I don't everyone but I can tell you that Tom Gross is always right and he never lies so vote for him. dkaplowitz also knows his stuff. They are both very helpful and you can't go wrong listening to them.