Hi folks
There's been a little discussion around here lately on the merits of learning music theory, an evergreen topic. A few paragraphs from my blog on the subject.
http://www.learncigarboxguitar.com/content/theory-not-dirty-word
Ring any bells?
Tags:
This is a good article Patrick and you have a fine site. I jumped in on that discussion to show what I've been able to do with chords and playing by ear, but I've also learned more about theory from CBGs than from any other instrument I've picked up.
Theory is definitely not a dirty word, it just takes some time to study and like you say, listen to what you're playing. Eventually you can start to connect the dots and that opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
Mee kan no reed wut iz diz thiree an wy hee durtee???
Theory baffled me when i started learning music from books, and hour with a good teacher sorted all that out, so did stringing up and tuning various guitars, my first efforts were an octave too high and ....twannnnggg! It's good to know ABCDEFG, sharp if a little higher, flat if a little lower between each note, octaves...well you needn't worry about them too much on a CBG, i use bar chords on a 4 string CBG usually, scales i always thought of as a paint palette with your colours or notes on, things get a little more complicated with tunings, even on a four string, but if you learn a foreign language you will sooner or later need to read and write stuff in the language, so yes most definitely theory isn't a dirty word, if you are writing songs you will need some! (-;
Very well expressed Patrick! I know plenty of great players who don't "know" any theory. They know the sound they want and how to get it on an instrument. But they aren't able to express verbally what they just did. I was trained(at my parents insistence) at a young age in classical and later in jazz theory and I think it helps my playing. I still play with folks who look at me like I'm speaking Greek when I say "it's in Dorian mode" Oh, I guess that is Greek! I usually don't bring this stuff up at get togethers but it sure is nice to know what to do when somebody says "play the 6minor chord there" . The nice thing about this is that there's room for lots of differing skill levels and knowledge levels when it comes to playing for fun and unless someone asks I try to not get into big theory discussions.
You know that scene in the Charlie Brown Christmas show when all he hears the teacher say is "wah wah wah?"
If I could have grasped any of that I think I wouldn't have gave up some 35 odd years ago.
I've learned a lot from your site. I just learn differently, I guess. It's frets and riffs and repetition that works for me. And, if I don't get any better than I am today, I'll be good with that. It's still joyful noise to me. :)
Keep doing what you're doing Patrick... it's greatly appreciated. Just keep in mind some of us aren't there yet.
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray on Tuesday. 11 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Taffy Evans on Sunday. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 8 Replies 1 Like
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. Apr 25. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango Apr 22. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!