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Music Theory for Guitarists: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask (Guitar Method)?
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Learn the notes on the fretboard. Frets 0-4 at least, on each string; work up from there.
Learn notation.
Start with major scales, in this order: C, G, D, A, E. Then F and Bb. Play each one on the guitar as you're learning it, and play it around the chord shape (or shapes) you know for each of those major chords. (If you already know scale patterns for these keys, make sure you know the chord shapes in each one.)
Learn the I, IV and V (and V7) chords in each key. Then the vi, ii and iii. You may know this already, but check to confirm, filling in any gaps.
The more you know the fretboard (notes, chord shapes or scale patterns), start to knit it all together into those keys. I.e., pick one key, and check how many of the notes and shapes for each chord you can find, everywhere on the fretboard. (This is obviously more about fretboard knowledge than theory per se, but think of theory as the names - or more names - for things you may already know by sound and pattern alone. IOW, you're studying a map of a terrority you already feel is "home", but you're learning a few place names and street names you didn't know before.)
Take various songs you already know, and start to look at them from a theory perspective. What key are they in? How does each chord relate to that key? Are there any chords which don't fit the scale associated with that key? (Probably there are...) No rules are broken there, just different rules being followed. The more theory you learn, the more you will be able to label everything that's going on.
Recommended book (covering most of the above points in order): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leonard-Guitar-Method-Theory-Online/dp/063406651X/
It's not that simple though. There's more to it. You'll sound like a robot if you just use scales to solo. There's a lot to be learned about how chords are build and how you can diminish them and modes and how you can use certain chord progression to build up tension (e.g. secondary dominant). It's not just scales. Scales is just a pattern of notes. There's a reason why certain things work and knowing them in theory is empowering IMO. Look at Brandon Ellis. He's a top player and his solos are insane. He knows theory and thus knows how he can build up tension and make to interesting. But he might not be up your alley. He's a metal guitarist. I'm not sure what you're into.
Get this book:
Music Theory for Guitarists: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask (Guitar Method) https://www.amazon.com/dp/063406651X/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_EGD2BFWCPCDZRJGMXJBQ
I think for most guitarists that's more than sufficient. Unless you want to nerd out in which case formal piano training would be good.
Sharps and flats are accidentals. Name for that group of notes. Scales are a group of notes arranged by pitch. this book is one I used to help me understand better. Has little work sheets in it too as well as a workbook that tests what you have learned.
Ninja edit: getting a teacher may help as well, or someone to talk you through the basics may at least get you an idea if this is something you want to learn.
Is it this book? Because it is the single most important book about music I have ever read, EVER. I discovered it at the end of three years of guitar lessons. I was mad, because I wish I had read it sooner - the guitar lessons would have made more sense...I still pick that book up pretty frequently.
I'm in for guitar updates! I went on the same journey of moving away from tabs to learn theory. Now I have the opposite problem, where I never play any tabs, I just play my own stuff, so I'm not really stretching my technique library at all.
sorry, I get really excited about music!! What kind of music do you like to play?
This one by Tom Kolb is what I used specifically for guitar when I started out. It's what I always recommend to guitarists whose interest is beginning to bloom.
This one has exercises at the end of each chapter, as well as a CD of audio examples, so acts as a workbook. It's cheap, but there's a lot of stuff in it. I only have the book and CD myself, so can't vouch for the online content.
(BTW, I guess you know you need treble clef for guitar, not bass clef.. ;-))
this is the book I had, if guitar is not your instrument just ask what they have at you local music store, but you should always buy from your local store vs. online unless your local store is a guitar center.
this is the book I had, if guitar is not your instrument just ask what they have at you local music store, but you should always buy from your local store vs. online unless your local store is a guitar center.
Well, what do you want to get out of learning theory? Many intro theory books and classes focus on learning the rules of functional harmony and writing 4 part choral stuff, which you probably aren't interested in.
If you're interested in stuff that directly applies to guitar, I'd suggest a book like this. https://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Guitarists-Everything-Wanted/dp/063406651X
This is a good general guitar music theory book, might be too basic for you, but it does go pretty in-depth and offers a complete look at theory:
I'd say that's a preference regarding learning style as both can be effective, but using both as compliments to each other would probably best. This is a great book to get you started with guitar theory.
Its cool This book though i have never read it i have only heard good this about it from this sub. BUT i would start with music theory.net cus^its^free
The finger issue is something that will go away eventually, the important thing is to really practice your rudiments and changes so that you can make them feel like second nature. As for the theory I recommend having a look at theory "books" in particular.
http://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Guitarists-Everything-Wanted/dp/063406651X
I've tried learning theory online. but I come across far too many distractions with so many options on many different websites, I picked up this one book a while back and its taught me pretty much all the basics and all the relevant information.
This is the book I use, it's immensely helpful (esp. since it's tailored specifically for guitarists). I highly recommend it, since it's tailored specifically to guitarists. I've gone from knowing nothing about theory to having semi-proficient knowledge and I'm only halfway through.
If you are wanting to learn more about music theory, I would recommend getting a book.
There is one that my instructor and I went through we simply referred to as the "Green Book". I'll have to look up the name of the book when I get home, but I have heard good things about this one:
If you are really wanting to learn how to put together songs, I can't recommend learning basic theory enough. Don't be fooled into thinking that it'll make you start sounding like a robot. It just gives you the tools to flesh out ideas quicker and keeps you from getting stuck.
I'll post the name of the book I used when I get home tonight.
Not very long at all.
https://www.musictheory.net/lessons - has very clear lessons on notation (the first stage of its theory lessons - I'm surprised you managed to study any theory without knowing notation), and also fretboard exercises to test your knowledge: https://www.musictheory.net/exercises/fretboard
The issue with guitar, of course, is that a note has just one place on notation, but can have several places on the fretboard. That's why most beginner guitarists give up on notation and stick with tab.
In fact, the choice of where to play any one note is a liberation, not a limitation. It's like losing the training wheels on your bike.
Learning the note names is relatively easy, it's reading rhythm where some people have more trouble (the above exercises don't cover that). But if you start with the basics - note duration - and work up, it's not hard.
I recommend looking for sheet music for songs you know (you can usually find page 1 online for free) so you can see how the sounds - especially melodic lines - look on the page.
If you want a book, I recommend this - starts with notation as all good theory texts should. Make sure you play everything you read (or at least hear the sounds, as on musictheory.net). Theory is pointless if you don't know how it sounds.
No. Not only because there are so many, but the word "should" is highly debatable.
In one sense you don't "need" to know any theory at all. It just depends on how much you "want" to know, which depends partly on what kind of music you're playing, and how much you want to get into improvising, composing or arranging. Or how much you talk to more qualified musicians. And on your own curiosity of course.
Basically, just buy a book - like this - and see how far you get (or want to get). Or if you want a free resource, try this. Again, take it as far as you want to.
well hi again. No, I've been going strong for a year, but I really want to invest myself in music theory and to grasp the whole idea of tempo and scales and what makes what.
Books are better for that because they take you through the whole story a video only shows you a page or a chapter at most.
Are you trying to learn music or learn guitar, as sometimes you need to bias your search. I’d get a beginner theory book first (https://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Guitarists-Everything-Wanted/dp/063406651X) then I’d move on to this one (https://www.amazon.com/Hal-Leonard-Guitar-Method-Complete/dp/0881881392).
Here are my current most useful references for guitar theory. Hope this helps!
Depends on your learning style. If you like to do things yourself, get a music theory book and work through it. There's a very accessible book about music theory for guitarists by Tom Kolb that I recommend to guitar students: https://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Guitarists-Everything-Wanted/dp/063406651X/
If you like structure, Coursera lets you audit courses for free: https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=music%20theory
> a comprehensive book covering everything in a way that’s easy to understand
No such thing. (1) no one book covers "everything", and (2) - if i did - it would certainly not be "easy to understand."
Do you already play an instrument? Piano (or any keyboard) is ideal, guitar second.
If it's guitar, you probably need a guitar-friendly book, like this.
If piano, then any beginner theory book should do, because conventional theory usually assumes you are piano-literate, illustrating concepts in double-stave notation.
I suggest getting two or three books in any case. Different authors have different angles, even at beginner level. It's all the same info, of course, but writing styles will work for you, some won't. Meanwhile, check out reputable (and free) websites, like https://www.musictheory.net/
You're into extremely advanced music like Polyphia (I've not heard of those others), and you don't even know the absolute basics of music theory? You have a long journey of backtracking ahead of you....
No offence intended! I can understand you being blown away by musical complexity, and there is no need to understand the theory at all in order to appreciate the music. But to get a grip on theory you're going to have to study much simpler music for a long time - build up from the ground.
There are differences between classical theory and modern rock/pop/jazz theory, but I recommend starting with the classical basics here: https://www.musictheory.net/lessons. Work through in order, don't skip anything (except maybe the very last chapter).
For theory relating to the guitar, I recommend this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leonard-Guitar-Method-Theory-Online/dp/063406651X
For jazz theory: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jazz-Theory-Basic-Advanced-Study/dp/1138235105/
The best online "course" for beginners is https://www.musictheory.net/. I mean "course" in the sense that it's organised sensibly in progressive stages: start at the beginning and work through.
It's not guitar-friendly of course, but it does give you sounds when you need them, and you can find other sites on how to read notation on guitar (if you can't already): https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/lessons/reading-notation-tablature/ (You may notice that the sounds given on that theory site sound an octave higher than the same notes on guitar. That's normal, because the guitar staff is lowered by an octave.)
I'd also recommend a book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leonard-Guitar-Method-Theory-Online/dp/063406651X/
Most theory resources start with piano, so that's not a lot of help for guitar, but you can still get an idea of the basic concepts (names for familiar sounds).
Try https://www.musictheory.net/ - no videos to baffle you, just pages you can work your way through at your own speed. Don't skip any, and use the sounds when they are offered. Also try playing what you hear on the guitar if you can.
For guitar-friendly theory (beginner level), you could try this: https://www.andyguitar.co.uk/lessons/essential-music-theory-for-guitar-chords-in-a-key/ - it's a video, but there are chord shapes and tab below.
But - if you can't find a teacher (as already recommended) my advice is to combine the above two resources with a book or two, such as these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leonard-Guitar-Method-Theory-Online/dp/063406651X/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harmony-Theory-Comprehensive-Musicians-Essential/dp/0793579910/
And above all, keep learning songs. Songs - and all music - are "theory in practice". To understand theory you need two things: (1) to hear it in a piece of music; (2) to have it clearly explained, ideally using sound samples. IOW, the sound is the answer. There will be times when you can hear it in action, and still don't get it. In that case - you don't need it!
Always work from actual music, with or without theory alongside. Theory is really only names for the sounds you hear. It doesn't explain anything. Theory won't tell you why a song is cool, or why you like a particular chord change. It will just name all the parts, so you can talk about, and understand someone else talking about it - because that helps you learn the music. But you can learn plenty of music without it!
If it's more the theory of pop/rock music you want, rather than classical (the basics are the same, but emphasis is different), a couple of good books are:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leonard-Guitar-Method-Theory-Online/dp/063406651X/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harmony-Theory-Comprehensive-Musicians-Essential/dp/0793579910/
If you can afford it get both! And work with the good free theory sites too, such as https://www.musictheory.net/lessons and signals (Unfortunately he hasn't arranged those in any progressive order - start with Learn Scale Degrees IMO). There's also this which makes for a great reference list.
Always use at least three sources for your information, so you can cross-check anything you don't get. Where everyone agrees, you can be sure you've got the good stuff (but one source might make it clearer than anog=ther). Where no one seems to agree, or a topic is only mentioned by one source, you can probably disregard that, especially if you don't understand it.
And all the time you are studying, make sure you know how it all sounds. Play the scales, play the chords and the chord changes, find songs which do those things. If you can't hear it, (a) you won't get it, and (b) you don't need it.
The short answer is yes.
You can learn music entirely by ear from recordings (music is a language of sound, nothing more), while video lessons such as those on youtube will obviously help. (Remember that many folk, blues and rock musicians learned almost entirely by ear decades before the internet was invented. ;))
You need to learn the technical skills necessary to play an instrument of course, but again, there are online resources for that. (But then you can already play at least two instruments, so that's a good start.)
> I lack the tools necessary to understand "the good stuff" in terms of books
Really? You seem to be able to handle the English language well enough to write a coherent and intelligent question... ;-)
And if you are "becoming more financially ... able", you don't need to rely on free resources online. Books (not expensive!) tend to be a lot more reliable - certainly more comprehensive - than any online resource.
I'm guessing your first instrument is guitar (before bass), which is why you have problems with notation. (Only guitarists have problems with reading music...) That kind of illiteracy will certainly hold you back from studying theory, but - more importantly - it will also hold you back from self-teaching by reading songbooks (a great source of practical theory knowledge).
So your first task should be to bite the bullet and learn notation. There are plenty of free websites to teach you that, and feel free to surf as many as you can to find those that seem to be clearest. (The information is all the same, but different people explain it differently. So it can help to learn from two or three different sources, like shining different lights on the same object.)
For a book - again assuming you're a guitarist - I recommend Tom Kolb - it starts with notation before moving on to theory.
But once you can understand notation, I fully recommend learning theory from songbooks (at least if you can't get anything from text books). Songs are "theory in practice". The more songs you learn, the more you understand the underlying machinery.
Obviously you will learn faster and more efficiently with a teacher, but you can get a long way self-teaching, provided you always start from the music, and don't attempt to understand theory that seems to have no connection with the music you know. It clicks when you hear it working in a song.
> You cant learn music theory alone with the internet and that sucks.
It may not be what you want to hear, but the hell you can't. I mean this in a very constructive way, but you've been exposed to a lot of online material and quit a music school, it's sounds like the problem isn't the material but how you're using it.
> Its so many lessons online that youll never find what youre looking for...
Yeah, for sure, that's a real problem with trying to learn on the Internet, and I'm sympathetic. Here's my advice:
- Spend some time learning how to learn.
- Take a course that organizes the material. I would suggest coupling Fundamentals of Music Theory with [Music Theory for Guitarists].(https://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Guitarists-Everything-Wanted/dp/063406651X/ref=asc_df_063406651X/). Both of the Coursera classes have forums where questions can be discussed and they tend to get answered.
- Listen to the Music Student 101 podcast, starting at the beginning.
Together, these will serve you well and give you months of study for under $20.
- You mention attending a school-- if you're willing to pay to learn, find a teacher with a Music degree from a college you've heard of, and try taking lessons with them.
> If i listen to a song i cannot automatically hear the key and the chords and what notes the singer is singing, but i cant find a lesson for that online either.
Music Student 101 spends a lot of time on this. Be warned that, in my opinion, while music theory for guitar isn't particularly difficult, learning to "automatically hear the key and the chords" is extremely challenging and requires lengthy deliberate practice.
I like Music Theory for Guitarists as well. I'm also a fan of Rick Beato's theory lessons-- he's good at putting things in a useable context for beginner/intermediate musicians I think.
This is a pretty good one.
Hal Leonard is good for basic theory related to guitar, and goes as far into jazz as chord-scale theory and chord substitution and reharmonization - although not in a great deal of depth.
A more comprehensive jazz theory book is Terefenko.
Tip: the sooner you can stop thinking of "guitar theory" and think of "music theory", the better. ;-) Think of "music theory" on the one hand (same for all instruments) and "guitar technique" on the other (how to apply musical sounds and concepts to the instrument).
Like you, I've been trying to get more serious about it lately. My recommendation would be to learn the basics, and then dive into different topics that interest you. Right now, I'm learning more about arpeggios and borrowing chords for progressions. Here are some things that have been helpful for me:
Books
Music Theory: Everything You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to ask (Tom Kolb) - a good, broad look for theory and guitar. I think this is a good intro crash course that covers notation, chord building, and the like
A Modern Method for Guitar (William Leavitt) - A much bigger commitment - you really need to be able to read music to get value from this (still learning myself). My teacher says this is his go to for teaching theory to guitarists.
Videos/Sites
Rick Beato
I certainly recommend all his free stuff, but I've never checked out the paid-for content. I see no reason why it wouldn't be as good quality as all his free lessons, and the only question is, why are you paying anything? ;-) There are plenty of good free theory sites (see sidebar) and if you want to spend money a book may be better value.
Again, no criticism of justin. I always recommend several sources when learning theory anyway. Don't rely on just one. Everyone (online or in books) has their own way of presenting the information, and even though it's all the same information (or should be!) some say it more clearly than others, or more comprehensively. Some will click with you personally, so the choice is at least partly subjective.
The books I'd recommend (for guitar) are:
Practical Guide to Modern Music Theory for Guitarists
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jazz-Theory-Book-Mark-Levine/dp/1883217040/
Greatly enjoying your Everyday Tonality, but there seems to be an error regarding Sweet Home Alabama. You mention them finishing with a "rock-show flourish on D (1977)". In this 1977 performance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GxWmSVv-cY - the long ending flourish is quite clearly on G. That suggests the band are "clearly in no doubt" about that key centre, not D as you're saying. I realise the whole issue is about the ambiguity of this tune between D and G, but this seems an important point to clarify.
> I know scales and chords, functional harmony aswell as secondary dominants.
You already know too much. Now we will have to kill
you...
:-D
> They just create fluidly with no mistakes, they just improvise and create like it's nothing.
It's "nothing" for them, in the way it's "nothing" for you when you constructed that sentence. You had no problem setting your thoughts down in type becuase (a) you're familiar with the English language and (b) you're familiar with the technology required to produce the letters (typing on a keyboard or keypad) and post it here.
So the question is: how much could you explain about all the grammatical terms you're using? The tenses, cases, parts of speech, etc? Maybe some, maybe none of it. It's of no account because you learned all that by ear - a long time ago (so long you've forgotten how you did it).
Would studying English grammar make you speak or write better? It might, but it might not. It certainly wouldn't (or shouldn't) change your instinctive speech patterns, or make you question how you're speaking.
Same with music theory. It's the grammar of music.
If music was a completely foreign language, then an intensive study of its grammar would be crucial. But you've heard music all your life, enough to know when you hear a wrong note, and enough to be able to make aesthetic choices about personal preferences. IOW, the grammar of music is in your head already.
However, the big difference with music is that with speech you start doing it as soon as you can - as an infant, communication is vital, so you don't just listen and learn, you listen and copy. With music, you became a musician later in life. Your knowledge of music's grammar - like all non-musicians - is passive, not active. Becoming a musician is about discovering "how to make the right sounds".
I.e., you already know what sounds right and wrong. You don't need to study theory to know that. Where theory helps is in making connections with your instrument, the device you use to make the sounds.
What takes longer to get into your head is the technique of playing a musical instrument - this is the analogy of the keyboard you typed your post on. You might be a brilliant speaker of English, but the first time you type something maybe you're using one finger at a time. Eventually you get faster, until you can type almost as fast as you can speak. You learn where all the letters are without looking.
The analogy for music is you have to maintain that connection. When you type, you're not just practising random finger movements. You're working on putting the letters in the right order to create words spelled the right way, that say what you want to say.
First, I'd like to apologise for the somewhat dismissive tone of my post (and the upvotes it's got might make it look like r/musictheory as a whole is coming down heavy on some imaginative chord experiments...). I actually like the fact you're trying stuff that feels new or unusual - I'm sure no one here would want to discourage that sort of thing. (OK, now I need to apologise for being patronising!... :-(...)
But second, it is important to understand how chord changes work, and how chords link with scales in actual music practice. The way chords and scales are used in jazz - in fact in quite a lot of popular music - falls into two quite distinct camps. (Sometimes they overlap, but it's useful to understand the differences.)
These approaches can loosely be called "functional" and "modal". "Functional" means chords in sequences in major and minor keys, where you can give each chord a roman numeral, and see (and hear) how each one relates to (usually moving towards) a "tonic". Also, the chords themselves are "tertial" (built in 3rds). "Modal" jazz broke away from that by treating each chord as representing a scale or mode - and vice versa: "scale" and "chord" being simply alternative representations of the same thing. In modal jazz, one chord-mode would be extended for some time for melodic exploration, the harmony would be more quartal (in 4ths) than tertial, and any changes that happened would be to unrelated chord-modes; rather like modulations in functional harmony.
Jazz "chord-scale theory" is highly controversial because (or rather if and when) it seeks to apply modal jazz harmonic practices to functional harmonic sequences.
So, a lot of experienced jazz musicians would be rather surprised by JSW2K7's assertion that "Chord scale theory helps jazz improvisers think in "correct" scales when reading a lead sheet".
For the average pro or intermediate jazz improviser - even for many beginners - the scale(s) is/are obvious. It's whatever scale the chords come from. You look at the key signature, and that's your scale. That's as much "theory" as you need. If any of the chords are chromatic (as many often are in jazz!) then you adjust the scale accordingly.
Chord-scale theory tends to complicate the issue more often that it simplifies, because it persuades you (a) to ignore how the chords function in sequence and (b) that every single chord requires (or might benefit from) a different scale.
Sometimes, those scale choices might well work and sound good. Sometimes they won't. Context determines both, which is why context matters, and why context is the first thing you look at. And context may then give you all the answers you need.
Remember that Charlie Parker and his generation had never heard of modes, and didn't follow chord-scale principles. And yet they established the whole basis of modern jazz improvisation.
If you study how they did things - and in fact how pretty much all jazz improvisers have worked - you wouldn't arrive at the chord-scale concept.
The only way you arrive at chord-scale theory - the notion that any chord from the same scale can have the same meaning or application - is by studying modal jazz; and moreover by starting with a reductive purpose: to try to find a simple formula for how it works.
The diminished scale (from the jazz perspective) is an artificial scale created to fit dim7 chords. IOW, the scale comes from the chord, not vice versa. It's simply the chord arpeggio plus chromatic approaches to each chord tone. That means it can be applied to any dim7 chord, however and wherever it's being used - the chord's function can be ignored. The scale relates only to the chord itself. In normal usage (where the dim7 is vii of the key) it contains some rather surprising notes. E.g., it contains the raised tonic. In a minor key (where the chord actually comes from) the dim scale contains the major 3rd scale degree. That proves that the scale is working within the chord, not relative to the key.
That's fine, but it does mean that other harmonizations of the scale won't necessarily work in the same way. Some will, some won't. Again, context determines which.
So while it can be a lot of fun to play around with other chords you can get from the dim scale, you always have to bear in mind how the chords work in whatever context you're applying them. Look at the ones that work best (as transitions between chords either side) and identify how they differ from the ones that don't work, or work in more weird ways. This will reveal the hidden processes that govern chord changes. And they're not really much to do with scales....
Yes, keyboard is definitely a lot more transparent for learning theory. Its intimately linked with staff notation for a start.
But you should still be able to make sense of theory on the guitar. Major scales and diatonic harmony is a good place to start, given what you know so far.
Pick one scale (any scale!) and work out all the chords that use notes from that scale (and no other). Play the I, IV and V major chords of the key, and listen to how "I" sounds like the stable tonal centre (key, "tonic" chord), whatever order the chord go in (altough IV-V-I forms the strongest "cadence").
If you already know how those simple sequences work (in many different keys), then relate everything new back to that.
Find the tonic chord in any song you know (which might be major or minor), and work out how all the other chords relate to the major (or minor) scale of that key chord. You will find notes and chords that don't seem to "belong", but you can still identity "flat" or "sharp" relationships with the "home" scale and chords.
There are of course books which will help, such as:
Personally, I like these. Have been coming back to them for years:
Most recent resource: Circle of Fifths for Guitarists
"Writing music" and "learning music theory" are not necessarily connected in the way you seem to be assuming. The former doesn't require the latter, any more (or less!) than vice versa.
Most popular songwriters learn their craft by learning other people's songs, and picking up the "common practices" that way. Even those who know some theory wouldn't start from the theory. They still write by ear, borrowing ideas they've picked up, mixing them around, and experimenting to find other good sounds.
Knowing the names of the sounds you're manipulating doesn't really help you manipulate them. It will help you to feel less mystified by how it all works, but that's an illusion. Music theory doesn't explain anything. It just names and describes. Naturally that makes it useful (the illusion of understanding is comforting) - but it won't make you a better songwriter.
I'm not trying to deter you from learning theory! It's good to be curious, and theory certainly won't inhibit your natural creativity (as some fear). But it's a kind of parallel process to learning composition, not necessarily closely connected. It's biggest advantage is enabling you to discuss your ideas with other musicians (not to mention understanding all the jargon on sites like this one... :-D).
The sidebar has some useful web resources for theory (I recommend https://www.musictheory.net/lessons), and there are a few books aimed at guitarists, such as:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leonard-Guitar-Method-Theory-Online/dp/063406651X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1548335006&sr=1-1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Practical-Guide-Modern-Theory-Guitarists/dp/1503319210/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1548335084&sr=1-1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Guitarists-Music-Theory-Book-Useful/dp/1549642642/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1548335125&sr=1-2
(I have them all, and would recommend them in that order. It's always good to have a few sources to refer to - I've not yet found any one comprehensive work that contains everything, explained perfectly! even for beginners only.)
For standard music theory, best free resource is https://www.musictheory.net/lessons - this starts by teaching you notation. It's not guitar-friendly, but if you know at least a few note positions on guitar you should be able to pick it up. Make sure you step through it in sequence, and play the sound samples provided.
Remember guitar is a treble clef instrument - no need to learn bass clef. (Guitar music transposes by an octave, but explaining that may just confuse you for the moment. The notes are all the same, which is what matters.)
If you want something designed for guitarists, I'd recommend this.
> Is it possible to learn music theory on a guitar?
Yes. Easier on piano, but definitely OK on guitar.
The main issue with guitar is that (unlike piano) most notes are playable in more than one place (different strings and positions). So when reading music, you have a choice. That befuddles a lot of beginners, which is why most prefer to learn tab, which just tells you where to put your fingers.
> Are the learnings transposable to other instruments like the piano, bass guitar etc?
Yes. Music theory applies to all instruments.
> Is there anything i could be doing while i don't have access to th guitar to speed the process of learning?
Check out some good theory sites. IMO this is the best. Make sure you listen to the sound samples provided. As a singer, try singing with them too!
> What are the things i can learn that don't involve an instrument?
See above. Singing exercises too. Learn to read music (for singing, not just playing).
> What are some online courses or content that you guys use/consume?( youtubers, websites, etc)
See sidebar. For beginner guitar lessons, I recommend justingguitar and andyguitar. But try several, there's no ultimate authority here. One teacher may click with you while others don't.
> Besides the guitar(accustic) what else should i get at the music shop? (Acessories)
Padded gig bag, picks (aka plectrums or flatpicks, a selection in various gauges), strap (if you're going to play standing), capo, guitar stand, music stand. A chord dictionary!
A guitar theory book - if they have one - could be useful too, because most theory sites and texts are not guitar-friendly. Or get it online. I like this one.
Hal Leonard Guitar Method Music Theory (Book/Online Audio) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/063406651X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_vGFJzbN555WS0
Any good theory book will keep you plenty busy for at least a couple months, just getting the basic fundamentals down. No point in paying a teacher to guide you through that process.
That book is by no means the only decent one out there. That same author actually wrote the "...For Dummies" series for Guitar Theory, which is pretty well reviewed, though I can't vouch for it personally, as I've never read it.
This is another one I could recommend. It's ridiculously short (100 pages, or just two-thirds the length of Fretboard Theory), but in a good way. It's more of a TL;DR quick reference guide, where Fretboard Theory gets a little bit more into application. But both are short books. The basic theory at work is surprisingly compact and deceptively simple.
Another book I recommend all the time is "The Handbook". They should hand out a copy with every Squire Strat starter pack they sell at Guitar Center. If you only ever own one guitar book, that should be it. Not strictly a theory book. It more of an owner's manual for a guitar.
I was in the same boat as you, BTW. Been playing since I was 14. Only bothered to actually start learning after 20 years or so of noodling aimlessly. It's been revelatory. Hope your experience is the same.
Thanks for the links and videos, I'll dive in depth into those. I also ordered:
Music Theory for Guitarists: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask (Guitar Method) https://www.amazon.com/dp/063406651X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_Xln3VhwSHiFF
And
Alfred's Basic Guitar Method, Complete: The Most Popular Method for Learning How to Play, Book, DVD & Online Audio, Video & Software (Alfred's Basic G https://www.amazon.com/dp/1470631407/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_WIiVhvj3WgX2F
I'll take it one bite at a time, thanks a ton!
As others have said, a rudimentary knowledge of music theory is the ticket to good improv. To get started, I'd recommend this book: https://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Guitarists-Everything-Wanted/dp/063406651X
The Practical Guide to Modern Music Theory for Guitarists
Guitar Chords in Context Book Series
The Chord Wheel: The Ultimate Tool for All Musicians
Chord Tone Soloing: A Guitarist's Guide to Melodic Improvising in Any Style
Guitarist's Guide To Scales Over Chords-The Foundation Of Melodic Guitar Soloing
The Guitar Grimoire: A Compendium of Formulas for Guitar Scales and Modes
For guitar, https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEONARD-GUITAR-METHOD-MUSIC-THEORY/dp/063406651X
For general theory, a cheap and concise summary of the basics: https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Steps-Music-Theory-Grades/dp/1860960901/ref=pd_cp_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QPME6PC37FNDFFX7Z52X
Studying, practicing theory, there's really no shortcuts. How's your theory knowledge? I highly recommend this as a jumping off point.
https://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Guitarists-Everything-Wanted/dp/063406651X
This book helped me a lot! Best part is, it's very guitar-centric.
I'm at the ~2 and a half mark as well, and am in the same situation as you more or less. I picked up this book and it helped me clear up a lot of theory stuff, since I knew next to nothing. If you want to start playing acoustic blues, pick up this book as well, it'll help you get the basics of fingerstyle blues down.
And hey, do you happen to have any recommendations for sites/books for some Hendrix stuff?
Probably the best free lessons on the internet.
http://justinguitar.com/en/AA-000-LessonIndex.php
Supplement with these:
http://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Guitarists-Everything-Wanted/dp/063406651X/
http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Aerobics-One-lick-day-Maintaining/dp/1423414357
https://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Guitarists-Everything-Wanted/dp/063406651X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484811349&sr=1-1&keywords=music+theory+guitar someone recommended this to me years ago and it actually helped me a lot, even moreso than theory classes I took in high school/college. it's a really quick and efficient way to progress. youtube videos are ok but you might want something more structured and organized with specific exercises meant to train you to identify different concepts
edit: also the circle of fifths is your friend
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