Does piano music theory transfer to guitar music theory?

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BallerBT

I mean if you become knowledgeable in piano music theory will you also be just as knowledgeable about guitar music theory? Does the knowledge transfer between instruments?

Answer
Yes. The only difference is on a guitar you have strings (EBGDAE, form bottom to top) instead of keys.

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What does guitar music theory consist of?

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Q. What does guitar music theory that my electric guitar teacher is teaching me? I do not understand. Do bands such as Metallica, or Guns and Roses actually know what they are playing or do they just think "Oh this sounds good so I will play it." I do not understand the whole relationship between music theory and actual song creating?

Answer
The more you study and practice, the more you will understand how theory relates to making music.

Music is a language. It is possible to learn a language without knowing how to read or write, but it is much easier to understand if you know the basic rules of grammar and spelling. Likewise, by learning more about the "grammar" of music you can better understand how to effectively create music with it.

Kirk Hammet studied with Joe Satriani and you can bet that he knows a lot about music theory, and it shows in their music. You can hear a distinct difference in their music from before and after he studied with Joe. GnR is a bit more basic in their music but you can bet that they do know, and apply the principals of music theory to their music also.

Simply put, music theory helps to explain the relationships between chords and how they move from one to another. It helps define how scales are used and how harmony is constructed. It helps to explain why certain things sound good and other things do not. It gives us a set of guidelines to assist us in the creation of music.

You mention the fact that some bands simply play what "sounds good to them" In a way you are making the case for music theory right there! Why does that sound good? It is because they are playing something that is familiar and makes some kind of sense. You can bet that what they are playing actually follows some basic music theory principals. They just may not be aware of it.

Remember that there are only 7 letter names in our musical language, (A B C D E F G) and the sharps and flats of those. This gives us only 12 notes altogether. This means that everything has pretty much been done before in the hundreds of years of western civilization music.

Music theory helps us to discover these patterns within music that make sense and sound familiar. In a sense, you already know a lot about music theory because you have heard so much music all of your life. Certain patterns and ideas are already easily recognizable to you. The problem is that, even though you can recognize it, you cannot really explain why that is. Nor can you explain what it is about it that you like or dislike. Music theory gives us the tools to truly understand why things sound the way they do. It helps us to define what we have heard all our lives.

One of the things that I tell a lot of my students is, "you gotta know the rules to know how to break them!" Music theory is not just a bunch of hard fast rules. It is more of a set of explanations and flexible rules to allow us to "communicate" more effectively with this complex and wonderful language known as music.

Try to absorb what your teacher is trying to show you and ask a lot of questions about it. There is a lot of stuff to remember and it does take time. The more you understand, the more you will appreciate how music theory can help you in your playing.

If you have any specific questions about any concepts of theory, and your teacher is not able to fully explain it to your satisfaction, feel free to contact me through answers.

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What is the difference between the pentatonic scale, the minor pentatonic scale and the major pentatonic scale?

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Tobias

I've been trying to learn guitar now for about 4-5 months and i kind of slacked off when it came to the music theory, i kind of understand the major scale but the problem im having is with the pentatonic scale, the minor pentatonic scale and the major pentatonic scale. what makes these scales different? and what is the pattern that makes these scales different? (Also a good guitar music theory book recommendation would be helpful)

Answer
The term "pentatonic scale" refers to any 5 note scale. (pent = 5, tonic = tone/note... get it?)

The major pentatonic scale is simple the major scale with scale degrees 4 and 7 removed. You may notice that these two notes make up the only tritone found in the major scale. Well... that's kind of the point. No tritone means no tension.

You may also notice that this leaves notes 1 2 3 5 and 6, which are the 5 notes in common between the Ionian, Lydian, and Mixolydian modes. Pretty nifty right?

The minor pentatonic scale consists of notes 1 b3 4 5 and b7. This is the same as a natural minor scale without the 2 and b6 (again, the two notes that make a tritone). The minor pentatonic scale will work over any Dorian, Phrygian, or Aeolian stuff.

Just like there's a relative minor scale for every major scale (e.g. A minor and C major have the same 7 notes), there are relative major and minor pentatonic scales. C major pentatonic and A minor pentatonic have the same notes. Whether or not you're playing minor or major pentatonic isn't determined by the shape you're using. It's determined by the music you're playing.

Here's a nice article on the subject, I think it will answer most of your questions: http://guitar.about.com/od/specificlessons/ss/pentatonicscale.htm

If you're looking for a nice beginner's music theory book, check out Tom Kolb's "Music Theory For Guitarists". It's a great book that explains things as they apply to guitar.

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I want to learn music theory for better guitar chord, note understanding?

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tYrESe

Im a total stranger to this kind of stuff. If i were to study and learn music theory, would i have a better understanding of guitar notes and chords? Is learning guitar music theory a separate thing i should study?
I really want to learn guitar chords, notes and understand them easily. Where would i start?

Answer
Yes! Learning music theory would definitely help you have a better understanding of music, of guitar, and would make it easier to learn new music and write your own. You can find a tutor, a friend that knows music theory, or go online and learn music theory, which will be harder because you are the only one being accountable for yourself and don't have a personal relationship with your teacher.

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What is a good Guitar book that provides music theory as well as great lessons?

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Karla

I am looking for an instructional book that will help me progress as a guitar player. I want something that will help me build some knowledge of music theory, guitar scales and chords etc. I don't just want to learn how to play chords and scales, but also understand what I am playing so I'm not just regurgitating songs.

Please help!

Answer
Dear Karla

There are thousands of books and videos out there that may help. You may want to visit my website and look at the basic theory section, and the music chords section. This will hopefully give you a better understanding of the theory behind the music and how chords are constructed, so when you play a chord you understand why you are playing those notes. My site is http://www.bellandcomusic.com/...........hope this helps

If you really want an in depth look at guitar and theory, there is a great book called 'The Guitar Handbook' by Ralph Denyer. It can be a little heavy- going at times, but if you are a serious guitarist, it is an excellent reference book. http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Handbook-Ralph-Denyer/dp/0679742751

I have had my copy for over 20 years and still refer to it. It covers everything about guitars from the ground up. Different types of guitars, how they're built, playing styles, theory, chords etc

Karla, I hope you find this information useful. If you need any further help, you can contact me through my website. Good luck.

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How to write a song using theory?

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nathan

I think I have a good understanding of the basics of guitar music theory. I have learnt about scales, intervals, triads, modes, modulation and some other stuff. Not a great deal but I have a decent idea on it all, and if all else fails have a book that does know everything. I want to write some riffs but I don't really know how to put my theory into practice. Are there rules that should be followed or trends that make riffs popular?

Answer
Basics of music theory are helpful, but rules and scales don't help in composing music. Fresh melodic ideas are necessary. There does not help any theory book.

Cheers ebs

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What does guitar music theory consist of?

guitar music theory image

Q. What does guitar music theory that my electric guitar teacher is teaching me? I do not understand. Do bands such as Metallica, or Guns and Roses actually know what they are playing or do they just think "Oh this sounds good so I will play it." I do not understand the whole relationship between music theory and actual song creating?

Answer
The more you study and practice, the more you will understand how theory relates to making music.

Music is a language. It is possible to learn a language without knowing how to read or write, but it is much easier to understand if you know the basic rules of grammar and spelling. Likewise, by learning more about the "grammar" of music you can better understand how to effectively create music with it.

Kirk Hammet studied with Joe Satriani and you can bet that he knows a lot about music theory, and it shows in their music. You can hear a distinct difference in their music from before and after he studied with Joe. GnR is a bit more basic in their music but you can bet that they do know, and apply the principals of music theory to their music also.

Simply put, music theory helps to explain the relationships between chords and how they move from one to another. It helps define how scales are used and how harmony is constructed. It helps to explain why certain things sound good and other things do not. It gives us a set of guidelines to assist us in the creation of music.

You mention the fact that some bands simply play what "sounds good to them" In a way you are making the case for music theory right there! Why does that sound good? It is because they are playing something that is familiar and makes some kind of sense. You can bet that what they are playing actually follows some basic music theory principals. They just may not be aware of it.

Remember that there are only 7 letter names in our musical language, (A B C D E F G) and the sharps and flats of those. This gives us only 12 notes altogether. This means that everything has pretty much been done before in the hundreds of years of western civilization music.

Music theory helps us to discover these patterns within music that make sense and sound familiar. In a sense, you already know a lot about music theory because you have heard so much music all of your life. Certain patterns and ideas are already easily recognizable to you. The problem is that, even though you can recognize it, you cannot really explain why that is. Nor can you explain what it is about it that you like or dislike. Music theory gives us the tools to truly understand why things sound the way they do. It helps us to define what we have heard all our lives.

One of the things that I tell a lot of my students is, "you gotta know the rules to know how to break them!" Music theory is not just a bunch of hard fast rules. It is more of a set of explanations and flexible rules to allow us to "communicate" more effectively with this complex and wonderful language known as music.

Try to absorb what your teacher is trying to show you and ask a lot of questions about it. There is a lot of stuff to remember and it does take time. The more you understand, the more you will appreciate how music theory can help you in your playing.

If you have any specific questions about any concepts of theory, and your teacher is not able to fully explain it to your satisfaction, feel free to contact me through answers.

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Does piano music theory transfer to guitar music theory?

guitar music theory image

BallerBT

I mean if you become knowledgeable in piano music theory will you also be just as knowledgeable about guitar music theory? Does the knowledge transfer between instruments?

Answer
Yes. The only difference is on a guitar you have strings (EBGDAE, form bottom to top) instead of keys.

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What is a good Guitar book that provides music theory as well as great lessons?

guitar music theory image

Karla

I am looking for an instructional book that will help me progress as a guitar player. I want something that will help me build some knowledge of music theory, guitar scales and chords etc. I don't just want to learn how to play chords and scales, but also understand what I am playing so I'm not just regurgitating songs.

Please help!

Answer
Dear Karla

There are thousands of books and videos out there that may help. You may want to visit my website and look at the basic theory section, and the music chords section. This will hopefully give you a better understanding of the theory behind the music and how chords are constructed, so when you play a chord you understand why you are playing those notes. My site is http://www.bellandcomusic.com/...........hope this helps

If you really want an in depth look at guitar and theory, there is a great book called 'The Guitar Handbook' by Ralph Denyer. It can be a little heavy- going at times, but if you are a serious guitarist, it is an excellent reference book. http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Handbook-Ralph-Denyer/dp/0679742751

I have had my copy for over 20 years and still refer to it. It covers everything about guitars from the ground up. Different types of guitars, how they're built, playing styles, theory, chords etc

Karla, I hope you find this information useful. If you need any further help, you can contact me through my website. Good luck.

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What is a good Guitar book that provides music theory as well as great lessons?

guitar music theory image

Karla

I am looking for an instructional book that will help me progress as a guitar player. I want something that will help me build some knowledge of music theory, guitar scales and chords etc. I don't just want to learn how to play chords and scales, but also understand what I am playing so I'm not just regurgitating songs.

Please help!

Answer
Dear Karla

There are thousands of books and videos out there that may help. You may want to visit my website and look at the basic theory section, and the music chords section. This will hopefully give you a better understanding of the theory behind the music and how chords are constructed, so when you play a chord you understand why you are playing those notes. My site is http://www.bellandcomusic.com/...........hope this helps

If you really want an in depth look at guitar and theory, there is a great book called 'The Guitar Handbook' by Ralph Denyer. It can be a little heavy- going at times, but if you are a serious guitarist, it is an excellent reference book. http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Handbook-Ralph-Denyer/dp/0679742751

I have had my copy for over 20 years and still refer to it. It covers everything about guitars from the ground up. Different types of guitars, how they're built, playing styles, theory, chords etc

Karla, I hope you find this information useful. If you need any further help, you can contact me through my website. Good luck.

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