"I hate theory" - how do you respond?

[thetroy]

Ninety nine times out of a hundred all the guys that say that shit do is rehash old Metallica and Pantera leads, without any attention paid to whether or not it actually fits the song either melodically or harmonically.

Can you tell us where these stats come from?

p.s. - I agree with you completely on this subject

[Black Mariah]

Can you tell us where these stats come from?

My ass.

[PallarAndersVisa]

I agree with Black Mariah too, only on a nicer, more JCF friendly level :P

[Emthrax]

If you can play, you can play. Your audience is going to know it, and the mass majority is not going to care about how much music theory you may or may not know.
With that being said... it is up to the guitarist/musician/band to make efforts to reach their goals and become the player/band they want to be. If that includes learning loads of theory, then good!

On a personal note, I have a keen interest in music theory but I do not believe that makes or breaks a musician. You can make music based on theory, but it will be text book if there is no soul.

-Em

[NextInLine]

On a personal note, I have a keen interest in music theory but I do not believe that makes or breaks a musician. You can make music based on theory, but it will be text book if there is no soul.
-Em

Well I think that must be the point. Learning and knowing theory can be nothing bad! And it's obvious that there are so many guitarists using theory to make music (not textbook ) in a good way. So everybody should give it a try. I used to think that learning theory is pointless but when I started learning I realised that it can be used in a good way...

[Child Of Norther]

I know a lot of theory...


Iäd rather have the option to know what i'm talking about and explain what i wanna do and if i don't wanna use theory... don't... Simple


Why limit yourself?



Some of the best players didn't know theory... some of the best players did.


I do, my point is, i'd rather be in the position to choose whether or not i wanna go theoretical or "feel"

[jgcable]

BM... wtf??? Are you telling me I can't play because I don't know theory?
Ask around the JCF. I may not know alot of things but I do know guitar playing.

[micha]

I make most use of theory while composing and soloing.
and it's not that my scales tell me which notes to play, but they show me the notes which to play NOT.
it just reduces the number of frets for me to the notes that are useable in this situation, further I think about which note to be on, on which chord (tonica, subdominant, dominant, that shit), and well, it works great for me.
still room enough for creativity IMO, at least I don't feel limited by theory and don't see any way it would make my playing worse.

it even helps to develop EAR IMO. your ear can't be trained if it hears nothing but blue notes all day. so if you start out and know a couple of scales, I think you will be able to play by ear sooner than one that just grabs the instrument and starts by zero.

[Sinistas]

Not really. I didn't hear anything I haven't heard in a dozen other bands in clubs around here.

This really isn't necessary.

[Fragle]

and it's not that my scales tell me which notes to play, but they show me the notes which to play NOT.
not quite true. listen to guys like e.g. george lynch. his playing is quite outside the box at times, but it fits the music really well. also, you shouldn't be half assed when playing outside, because otherwise it might very well sound like a mistake rather than on purpose.

[xenophobe]

"Knowing theory" is being able to explain it.

"Knowing how to play well" can be devoid of "knowing theory".

Good timing is better for an individual than being able to explain a chord or scale structure and relationships, which unless you're teaching is pointless. Especially when you're in the rehearsal studio or on the stage.

Not knowing theory is not as bad as being tone deaf either. Just because you're not tone deaf, can harmonize and 'feel the notes' doesn't mean you know theory either.

x100,000

[nateb]

and it's not that my scales tell me which notes to play, but they show me the notes which to play NOT.
not quite true. listen to guys like e.g. george lynch. his playing is quite outside the box at times, but it fits the music really well. also, you shouldn't be half assed when playing outside, because otherwise it might very well sound like a mistake rather than on purpose.

You are totally correct. It is not like he sits on those off notes all the time. A majority of his melodies that he plays are right in line with the key whereas he totally hits those off notes in his legatto runs to spice it up. Alot of players did that(Dime, EVH). If you tried to hit those off notes and hold them on a melody you could look out into the crowd and notice all the guitar players wincing at the note you are playing as if they were saying "Woops" for you.

-Nate

[Black Mariah]

and it's not that my scales tell me which notes to play, but they show me the notes which to play NOT.
not quite true. listen to guys like e.g. george lynch. his playing is quite outside the box at times, but it fits the music really well. also, you shouldn't be half assed when playing outside, because otherwise it might very well sound like a mistake rather than on purpose.

Even hardcore jazz theory snobs play outside. Again, you're making assumptions based on what you THINK knowing theory means. I know enough theory to be dangerous but trust me... outside doesn't even begin to describe some of the shit I write.

BM... wtf??? Are you telling me I can't play because I don't know theory?
Ask around the JCF. I may not know alot of things but I do know guitar playing.

Why do people always jump to ridiculous conclusions anytime I post something? "He knows theory... HE EATS BABIES!" Really dude, read what's posted and not what isn't. K?

[Accept2]

I think the theory purists are just guys who need to get laid. Black Mariahs posts are evidence of that. Take a chill pill, get laid, maybe then you'll see theory is for mathematicians..................

[Sandman0170]