The Major Scale and Music Theory (Watch the Video in a new window)

Why This One Key Tool Can Revolutionize Your Learning

Music is such a great thing and truly its own unique language and world (Music Theory is that language).  It can bring us in, wrap us up and transport us to entirely different sates of being.  I find it fascinating just how much music means to us and just how much it might be overlooked by some.  Regardless of if you’re looking right at it or unconsciously consuming it, the point is that music impacts us all.

Now since we’re all guitar players here and specifically focussing on the conscious and deliberate side of music, I thought I’d write a brief explanation of why music theory is so important and integral to improving and understanding at this wonderfully unique language.

A Few Facts About Music and Us as Guitar Players:

• We make music
• We are speaking another language
• Fluency of that language increases our skill and diversity

Ok, so if you can play a chord or a series of notes, you are making music.  You belong to the group that has an interest and desire to converse in the language of music.  Now what makes good music is subject to taste and opinions, but at the underlying core must be harmony, congruency and the ability to have your language skills be understood by others.  And this is where the value of music theory comes in.  Music Theory is the method behind music…the explanation for how these pitches play together to create harmony.  Without this knowledge you are left to the discernment of your ears.  You are like a blind man that can indeed walk and feel out his surroundings, but you are unable to see where you’re going.  This is why theory is so important.  Without being able to see, how can you paint your greatest masterpiece or grow to your highest ability?  At some point along your journey you will hit a plateau where you feel the need for more information and to have greater understanding for instrument.

I imagine that I am such a firm believer in theory, because I, much like many of you, started without it and had to begin teaching myself.  Once I started down this road, there was no turning back and it is an on-going journey of more discovery and learning.  It is incredibly empowering to have the sight to see where you’ve been, where you are and where you want to go musically (that also applies to life, but that’s another blog post ).

If you’ve been thinking about music theory and wondering what it all means and if you should decide to invest the time in understanding this language that seems so complex or overwhelming at times, then I’d like to invite you to watch this video.  In it I will talk about my own experience and just how and why music theory isn’t that hard to grasp.  You can start today and literally be making sense of it all today too!

I know how you feel.  I was there.  I’ve felt the ‘what’s the use’ and I’ve said the, ‘I don’t need to follow rules’ as well as a bunch of other excuses.  Believe me when I say that, music theory can change your guitar playing world and help you improve beyond measure.  Ok, that’s enough preachin’ at ya…I mean we’re here to have fun and enjoyment (which this is).  Come watch the video and I’ll see you soon.

To Your Success,

-Andrew Hand