To read or not to Read - Guitars101

**Jeffery Bravo** · 07-07-2006, 02:48 PM

Hear is a question playas.
For those of you that have learned theory and sightreading, has it dramatically improved you as a player?
Should guitarists learn this stuff?

I for one don't think one needs to know theory/sightreading to be a gr8 player, however, the more i have learned, the more jobs i got, and also my timing most of all, as well as understanding music helped me. My favorite book i have went through is "Music reading for Guitar" by MI.
Again, just opinions, pls let this not turn into a brawling thread, just matter of factly, what has worked for you and why?

The Shredder89 · 07-07-2006, 04:36 PM

As im still learning sight reading (on the piano and guitar) it has improved my playing because it forces me to translate the notes from paper to the fretboard, therefore expanding my knowledge of the fretboard. The same goes for chords since ive run into some interesting ones. One time, I was reading this Etude by a classical guitarist named Leo Brouwer and I realized that the beginning progression was the same as Randy Rhoads intro to "Diary of a Madman". I wouldnt say its DRASTICALLY improved my playing, but its cleared up alot of important issues

. Plus if you can sight read efficiently, you have the option of being a session worker if dont want to be in a band.

What has helped me the MOST though is 1.) jamming over a chord progression and 2.) NOT playing notes faster than I can think of what they are when practicing excercises. The latter is one of the better habits you can develop as a beginner/intermediate IMO (with a metronome of course).

In terms of theory, like modes, I dont believe that their essential and i havent dug into that YET, but I believe that one should dabble in them at the very least because they can really spice a melody/solo up.

Stiglar · 07-07-2006, 06:56 PM

Depends what kind of player you are really ,

Is theory going to drastically improve your playing if your a garage rocker or someone who just plays for the fun of it ? Unlikely

If you're going to make a living out of being a complete musician however , it's a must in my opinion , you can't really be a session player if you can't read , if you're playing with a band you don't know any of the songs and they throw a chart in front of you , your theory will be your best friend , Writing songs it will open doors for you that your ear would prolly never have thought possible .

Not saying theres anything wrong with not knowing theory either , Some people choose not to go down that road , and they still produce fantastic music , thats the beauty of music ! there are no rules .

all a matter of what you want to be .

and yes it has Drastically improved my playing ! huge difference

JeffHanneman · 07-08-2006, 04:58 AM

I'm still pretty basic at sight reading although I work on it a lot. There is no doubt it will make you a better player. Imagine being able to go and get a book of just piano sheet music, and transcribe it to guitar.

I have to add stiglar is correct when talking about just jamming for fun and being a garage rocker. Theory is NOT necessary, but there are no doubts that you will benefit.

It's all about what you want really. There isn't a right or a wrong answer.

Listen to some Megadeth records, Dave Mustaine doesn't know a lick of theory. Look at the unique riffing he has developed because of that.

bloodroot · 07-09-2006, 10:19 AM

hey all:

this has been an ongoing debate for sometime. this question has a double edge blade answer to it. I started playing guitar back in 1970 by imitating Kiss and aerosmith. Then my mom started me in a saturday afternoon lesson plan with an 80 year old teacher who really smelled of anicent ancestory(to say the least). every saturday i would sit in a very cramped booth and he would teach me the G>C>D chord progression. Later on I would forget it and just play whatever came to me. In the mid eighties I found a guitar shop where lessons were offered . Although it has been some time this teacher really taught me how important it is to know exactly what you are playing on the fretboard. Control of the board means control of your musicial direction. He taught me some jazz which I use to this day.

later in college I took some thoery classes(really hard) but it paid off. understanding scales and certain chord structures such as "Cm7" my favorite, is important to know who you are as a player. learning theory will take you into another world. That's the whole point of playing guitar.

of course, if it sounds cool it is cool, but wouldn't it be nice to make it cool and beyond?...by ear is great...by mind is the zone!!!!!

X

verga · 07-11-2006, 12:58 PM

Learn to read. Your not gonna transform yourself into a machine, you are the one who decides what to play.

**Mr Crumb** · 07-11-2006, 01:29 PM

Back in the day, I could sight read some of the most difficult pieces thrown at me for the horn. I knew all the theory all the scales blah blah blah.... Looking back in retrospect, I could have easily made a nice living as a studio player. But more importantly, the big thing that I came to realize was that this was *the* thing that held me back.

Some of the best jazz and blues horn players can't read a note. I don't read on guitar nor will I ever embark on the adventure to become adept at doing so. Big waste, IMHO. Stevie Vai is an amazing reader and transcriber. I guess he makes it seem cool... for example, you bought a guitar like his, you wear your hair like his, you dress like him... so you better learn to read and transcribe like him

Stiglar · 07-12-2006, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Crumb

Back in the day, I could sight read some of the most difficult pieces thrown at me for the horn. I knew all the theory all the scales blah blah blah.... Looking back in retrospect, I could have easily made a nice living as a studio player. But more importantly, the big thing that I came to realize was that this was *the* thing that held me back.

Some of the best jazz and blues horn players can't read a note. I don't read on guitar nor will I ever embark on the adventure to become adept at doing so. Big waste, IMHO. Stevie Vai is an amazing reader and transcriber. I guess he makes it seem cool... for example, you bought a guitar like his, you wear your hair like his, you dress like him... so you better learn to read and transcribe like him

I understand that people think that it will slow you down and make you play a bit static , but i think as long as you are aware of the possibility of it happening, your natural voice will come through . great players combine both techniques .

Some of the best jazz horn players particuarly bebop era know their theory inside out .

I guess what i'm trying to say is both ways of playing aren't without their advantages and hero's .

I think it's just a big myth that theory and reading will somehow turn you into this emotionless playing robot . it's absurd , Theory improved my time and rhythm keeping by about a million times , i don't see what the downside of that is .

To each his own i guess