This little section will help you get the most from the materials I post on this site.
Anyway, there are many great resources for information on how to play the guitar, as well as how to learn music theory. The accepted methodology is to start with the Major scale, because it is the basis for all music theory terminology. After becoming familiar with the Major scale, the student then proceeds to learn how triads are formed using notes from the Major scale, how all those triads fit into a key, how to generate the modes of the Major scale, and so on. This method, followed to its logical end, definitely provides for a thorough understanding of harmony.
Unfortunately, it takes a loooooooong time and lots of dedication to actually start making music with this system, as the Major scale is not really typical in rock’n’roll. I highly recommend learning all your music theory “properly” at some point during your musical journey, but at the beginning, I suggest taking any shortcut possible to actually start playing music. That is absolutely the most important thing. You don’t have to understand all the laws of electricity to benefit from flipping a switch to turn on a lightbulb. Music is the same way. Using some very basic concepts, you can make great music.
I specialize in what I call Practical Theory. I have developed a simple, linear way of teaching the most useful concepts for playing rock music. My system breaks things down into small, manageable chunks. Each small chunk is a tool, and each tool needs to be mastered before moving on to the next one. Through accumulated understanding of each small piece, larger concepts start to come into focus.
I purposely avoid using a lot of music theory terminology (although it does pop up from time to time), because it tends to have a negative psychological effect on beginning players (even moreso with more advanced, self-taught players). Eventually, it is good to learn all that stuff, because it is actually very simple and logical, and it allows you to communicate with other musicians in a common language.
I instead focus on the visual nature of the guitar. It’s much easier to remember this stuff in the beginning stages as shapes and patterns. Once you are familiar with these shapes and patterns (and more importantly, the sounds associated with each one), it becomes much easier to learn everything the “proper” way. You will have an intense familiarity with these simple tools to use as a point of reference for all of your more advanced musical learning. To summarize…
1. LEARN and MASTER each shape INDIVIDUALLY before you move on to the next one.
2. Become familiar with the SOUND and VISUAL component of each shape.
3. When you feel totally comfortable with all the shapes, visualize them across the fretboard.
4. Use the shapes as a home base and point of reference for everything else you learn from that point on.
That’s about it. Good luck, and have fun!!!
guitarwithguffey 