Songwriting Without Music Theory

[@ironwasp5954]

This channel is criminally underrated. Keep up the good work man!

[@pasijutaulietuviuesas9174]

To be honest, even if you don't know music theory, you're still using it without realising. The chords that you play are based on theory of harmony even if you don't know what note or interval goes where. Connecting chords together is also above intermediate course of theory, but someone else established that for you, now you're just putting one chord shape or another that you only needed a few minutes to memorise and only a few days/weeks to be able to play them. The process of writing melodies without knowing theory is basically playing random notes until you can differentiate what sounds better, what sounds worse and cling on your findings to further develop what you have established. You don't need knowing theory that explains *why* something sounds better or worse, you just need to find *what* sounds better or worse. However, writing melody over harmony/chords, or harmony over melody is using theory without knowing it, because if you live in the western world, you are much more likely to fall under some modes and scales in your creations and establish what sounds dissonant and what sounds consonant based on the western musical system which you have grown up used to. Even rhythm is heavily influenced by already established theory. Even though rhythm, more than anything, is based on intuitions and personal emotional states, it's still psychologically influenced by music you have heard in your life, thus carrying on the legacy that was based and established in music theory. More often than not, you'll just be playing Lego's with already established rhythmic shapes because you'll have them grown into you. So to those people that are stubborn about not learning music theory, you're probably not going to escape it, learning it just helps you see things more clearly.

[@DeathShark00]

for real though. 30, been playing since 15ish. if someone says something like "play minor a chord" I have no idea wtf they are talking about. c chord? I call it the 3,2,3 chord cause of frets lol

[@3xodus]

He Who Judges I've tried to learn music theory, the class was all band kids so I felt out of place and felt it was tailored to them, I dropped out after the first half, and yeah I wanna learn but I can't really because I can't afford a teacher, Ive tried learning from the internet but nothing really helps, that is unless you have a good site to teach music theory in relation to guitar?

[@pasijutaulietuviuesas9174]

_3xodus _ Music theory itself is pretty universal for all instruments and even vocals so learning general music theory isn't a bad idea. Same tendencies apply to any instrument. Even though you're leaning towards guitar, having a piano keyboard nearby helps enormously because the western music tone system is laid out there in front of you. What ever you learn on keyboard, you can apply on guitar. However, if you really want music theory to be tailored solely towards guitar, then the list of suggestions certainly narrows down a lot. It also highly depends on how well you've learned so far, because you will find that many different sources will only offer the same things you have already learned several times before. I would highly recommend theory books from a library of some college/university or academy of music if you have the access since it can propel you far above the typical Internet sources you can find everywhere. But if you don't have access to such libraries, then it's going to be a bit harder. I don't know your level in theory, so it's really hard to recommend something that could be useful to you. Whether you want to have theory tailored towards guitar or not, I would still suggest to run through musictheory.net website and see if you have already learned everything the website has to offer. Otherwise, if you're a beginner, intermediate or somewhere in between, there's an online teacher Nick Minnion who has a programme "Secret Guitar Teacher" where he teaches all-things-guitar, including theory. The more advanced lessons aren't free, but the basics and fundamentals are free, he also has a KZbin channel of the same name. Find the video "How to study guitar music theory" to begin. If you're more advanced, there's an online teacher Andrew Wasson who leads "Creative Guitar Studio" courses. Again, his more advanced lessons aren't free, but the basics are, and yes, he also has a KZbin channel with the same name as well. Ultimately, when studying theory, I highly recommend to not just take in the information you learn, but also to use it practically no less than you learn, and analyze the material you have learned thoroughly on your own without the need of the teachers to analyze it for you, you may find very interesting aspects and connections in even the most simplest things.

[@pasijutaulietuviuesas9174]

_3xodus _ Sorry for the lengthy post, but I hope you'll find something that might help you.

[@3xodus]

He Who Judges alright, thanks man, thats really helpful :)

[@Kostas1601]

Not knowing music theory and trying to write songs makes me feel like stumbling around in the dark trying to figure out what works. That makes me uncomfortable and makes me want to learn music theory honestly.

[@ChudLife]

Kostas1601 just curious, did you end up diving into Theory?

[@andrewcampbell-bluespianop6741]

I agree with you. Understanding some basic music theory really goes a long way.

[@slendergainz]

@@andrewcampbell-bluespianop6741 how much music theory should I learn? I wanna form a band and was just wondering how much of it should I learn

[@nicholassinnett2958]

Yup. Before I decided to take my theory knowledge beyond basic scale shapes and chords, I'd just come up with a bunch of half-baked ideas, and not know where to take them next. Knowing how the chords and scales actually work really helps with moving onto that next step.

[@ShirubaGin]

@*FlowThru InstrumentalZ* music theory aren't rules. It's a way of analyzing music and making sense of it.

[@ayygottalovespaghettt]

5:26 you can see the pain in his eyes while he's forcing himself not to say the note's actual name

[@johnmalcolm9980]

Simple method: Write new words to a song you know. Then write a new tune to those words. Dylan did this all the time.

[@o.steinman3855]

Sounds fun actually.

[@TheQtip96]

John Malcolm I do that a lot actually. pretty effective in my experience

[@kevinortiz6948]

Wow I'm deff trying this

[@Dyadactic]

John Malcolm The Beatles did this as well. At least in the beginning.

[@TheKing-mt8zn]

John Malcolm Oh my God! I thought I was the first person to do this!

[@connoragnewmusic]

I think theory is just an enabler, its a box of tools to help you. I used to avoid theory but now that I know more theory, not only is it awesome to know what it is I've been doing for years but its also helped me incredibly with writing. Love your channel man its so underrated. Keep it up!

[@slendergainz]

How much of it should I learn, i wanna start a band and was just wondering how much i should learn

[@alexandermueller4115]

Same, when I started learning theory, it made everything easier for me.

[@filianablanxart8305]

On the flip side ; the more Theory I learn , it just opens more questions faster than I can find answers . For basic songwriting , 2 or 3 chord progressions account for 80-90% of songs . Just know your I, IV, and V ( with occasional VIm or IIm for spice ) , and move on lyrics .

[@robcarden7186]

resonator guitars in the thumbnail is the biggest click bait for me

[@onetwothreeBRJ]

At least he delivered

[@smegheadwithaguitar1164]

CookieMeth that's a very respectable claim

[@Dampzombieslayer]

Resonator guitars are fuck'n cool

[@emanueljohansson6284]

Same ( - :

[@franklin1021]

What is a resonator guitar?

[@Elluvis72]

nice lesson! It is what my music teachers all taught me: "you heve to learn theory and the let it go again" I use theory to comminicate what comes naturally.

[@Stumpy801]

Don't lie you're channeling your inner satriani

[@gadielfarrel4552]

ilov69 this is a rare comment 👌

[@カスカディア国人]

Dan Hahn I channel my inner Satan

[@draco1523]

Mandolin Ash hole no

[@sleepforever.2347]

Meanwhile, I'm here channeling my inner Lil' Wayne 😂

[@uzumaki6759]

Yea sometimes I accidentally channeling my inner satriani when I played guitar. But It happens just for 10 sec damn

[@jrodtwins]

New subscriber and potential student. Just came across your videos today and they vibe with me very well. Keep up the good work sir!

[@MusicisWin]

Thanks dude!

[@firstlast-wg2on]

It's weird, I know a good amount of music theory and am still learning yet when I write, I find my writing process flourishes better when I ignore any music theory, I have a very free jazz approach where what I hear sounding good, just works for me. Rhythmically it can end up in any time, tonally it can end up anywhere, instrumentation can vary hugely, for many reasons you can really find a beautiful way to express yourself more than using theory strictly. I find that this pinpoints what you naturally like the sound of when you write music. For example I find I end up writing in odd timings, like 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 etc. because I like the triplet-y syncopated feel of the rhythms that you don't really find in 4/4. I end up just playing things in minor tonalities or just atonal, I've found my body just hates major tonalities, at least as a focus of a song. I can use major chords but the overall tone of the song just works as minor for me. I find certain instruments are preferred when writing or types of percussion. That's just me rambling tbh but I think it's very important to just sit down and make something that ignores any of your theory, if you end up using it, great, but approach music without forcing yourself to think about it or thinking about it at all.

[@pasijutaulietuviuesas9174]

Travis Godfrey Evans Then you don't fully understand music theory. Music theory was never meant to be a set of rules.

[@justicewins8002]

yeah, having been the music major myself, I remember music theory 101, then 201, then next year, professor said to forget everything you learned in music theory so far, and then it got strange, because anything goes in contemporary.

[@NickJacobsMusic]

as much as i appreciate every lesson, I'm always stoked when you start your solo or song in the end of a video!! Great tune!!

[@Indarow]

Really really love your videos! I've been playing for about 8 years now, mostly self taught, so I know there's so much for me to improve on! Every time I watch one of your videos you get me thinking about something I hadn't thought about before. Or thinking about it in a way I hadn't previously considered.

[@apexwindowcleaningservices4457]

Your videos are very well made and extremely useful. Thank you for taking your time to make them. I hope KZbin pays you enough to keep doing it. You're an awesome guitarist by the way.

[@nalukaleilanipilirobinson2857]

Would love to hear this uploaded to Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Pandora, whatever else there is. I would enjoy listening to all your tracks everywhere I go.

[@abdela9818]

wtf? I subscribed a few months ago when you were at 4k subscribers or so cause I thought you deserved more. you're at 66k right now, that's amazing. Good job! :)

[@tynenharris1256]

Steve same it's like wtf but go him

[@grabber_blu_angel]

Steve 150,000 now!

[@TheSwedishUploader]

Now 245k!

[@joelkalish5847]

DaltonThomas yo

[@JasperLinford]

He's at 304 now lol

[@JMCollects]

this is one of the most informative and helpful videos i've seen on song construction. thanks a lot man

[@KCReese100]

Very nice lesson. I'm a wannabe musician that has struggled creatively because I have very basic guitar skills, but your video has opened my eyes to see that I'm making things a little too complicated in my own mind. The subtle changes in the chords make a huge difference and open up a whole new realm of possibilities for someone simple like me. Thank you.

[@mattfreeman927]

Damn, dude, you're soooo good at teaching and playing!!

[@RobGADV]

Another great tune you've come up with that you should record and release!! You may not be a lyricist, but you make great instrumentals!!

[@MrArifizakiali]

It's amazing how you never fail to upload useful content every single day. Its helping me so much with my work. Coming from someone who's very passionate abt music. Thank you.

[@laketownmusic]

Hey man this video is awesome. I've been playing for about three years by now, and people say that I play at a 5 year player's level (which TBH is kinda bull but meh). I know my fair share of music theory but I've always preferred writing music without it. I feel it's too technical with theory. Great lesson, keep up the good work

[@MusicisWin]

Thanks a lot, dude!

[@mojoefelix]

This is excellent in regards to creating a chord sequence and a groove. When most of us think of writing a song we are thinking of the main definition of a "song" which means melody and lyrics: "a short poem or other set of words set to music or meant to be sung." Maybe you should do a part 2 video where the melody and lyrics are added to illustrate actual full songwriting process.

[@blooeagle5118]

there are two ways to write a song, basically: Write Lyrics first, music around the lyrics. Write music first, write lyrics into the music. first option is fun and makes some interesting music second option is very much a simple way to write a song.

[@garrettallman3832]

wow man this really opened up a whole new world for me. Ive been trying to understand music theory for a little over a year with like no progress. now i have a general idea on how to start coming up with better music, even if all i play is stoner metal! thanks man, and keep making these extremely underrated videos!

[@AbhishekPatry]

It's great to see you putting in so much hard work to help those of us who know how to play but are lagging with theory! Thanks man!

[@adg1017]

Great stuff! I've been a guitarist for 25 years or so, and a song writer for almost that long as well. I almost always start with chords that sound cool, and the melodies usually flow from that. Rarely do I start with written lyrics. Been enjoying your channel since I found it a few days ago. Keep it up!

[@essaquadry]

This turned out so nice! Didn't know you are also an amazing acoustic player. You're so talented!

[@jjszor4359]

I appreciate your kindness for taking time out to prepare this lesson. I make use of this, thanks.

[@gustavoordunez5754]

Dude you're a great teacher! Keep it up man. ✊

[@sloanguitar4862]

My method is just to play crazy fast riffs with tons of notes, I know some theory in terms of how different scales work with thirds fifths, sevenths, etc., but I just play some nutty riffs and see what comes of it.

[@6maxgrinder549]

Great unique topic. The greatest song i've ever written was back in the day when i knew zero theory.

[@morganowen-rees2419]

For me I always start with lyrics. I have 58 lyrics fully done with about 15 of them songs having some guitar on them. Ink of a melody write lyrics for that then go back and see if a guitar riff/chord pattern sounds good for the melody. If it does than I see if I need to alter the melody and make it fit. This will be easier to do now that I have 2 great guitarists in my band. Bare in mind that I've literally turned 17 yesterday and have been writing for about 1.7 years.

[@jt-silva1162]

morgan owen-rees why don't you post any of your work?

[@Null.t5]

Jacob Fox You shouldn't need that. If you have a drive to writing music the songs lyrics should have a meaning to you, making them come fairly naturally.

[@lukelyons7255]

1.7 lol

[@syiunshi]

I'm glad you do videos like this. I like to watch vids during my free time at work and then use the Guitar Super System when I'm at home :)

[@b2wtkagm]

Love your channel. Still an intermediate player. Please more videos on songwriting! I'm a songwriter and am always looking for a fresh take. Thanks!

[@ArcticSpongezz]

Trying to get into guitar playing. I've been a drummer for about 9 years now, and even with the little knowledge I have, your videos are really helpful

[@anupthakuri16]

My only asset to music is my ears. And regarding theories they are no way close to me neither they would be. You kept it simple and easy for me to proceed without doubting my abilities. Thank-you and greetings from Nepal.

[@ghamelin23]

The quality of your musical advice is win! keep it up!

[@tfgenerationz2982]

Dunno how I only stumbled upon this video now, it's massively helpful for a drummer who doesn't play much guitar.

[@PPINV2012]

WELL DONE MAN. This is how lessons should be. People like intelligent, mellow, and patient.

[@aryinc]

exactly. i have the problem to hold on to what i’ve just learned. short attention span i think. so many names but it’s those names that i tend to forget quickly, the melody or music in our head makes it. if it works, it works i think right. what works for each.everyone knows theory, but some just can’t get past the basics and f... around and train from there.

[@modeseven8100]

In short; Just learn basic Theory. It's much simplier than people make it out to be. It makes music less of this absolute rule and makes it more this relative idea you can play with in any scale or tonal center. Learn what minor and major seconds/thirds and fourths and fifths etc. are. Learn what scale degrees are. Get a simple idea of what different scales do to the degrees. It'll enlighten you and make music communicating and understanding SO much easier. Thanks for the video though, it's great how you broke it down into bare chords and developed it from there. Makes me want to try and create some songs from the most basic chord shapes.

[@phantomtoast5747]

ModeSeven Totally agree. I learned guitar and theory as well and knowing theory helps me a lot with songwriting

[@matthewjohnson5972]

As a music and music technology student these videos help me a lot with compositional work aswell as putting a practical application to the theory work

[@RegusFrankfurt]

The final version of the song was awesome

[@timothysnave]

As an electric guitar player, I'd appreciate some acoustic-specific lessons (fingerpicking, etc). I like how you put that together

[@aspirativemusicproduction2135]

Tip, Make a song using only two notes at a time with 3th and sometimes 4th intervals. Than you can easily know if the full chords are major or minor or something else. This eliminates any guess work and circumvents any complicated theory. Once you have the backbone of the song you add more notes to the simple two note chords. It's the most efficient way to go about it. Believe me no one likes shortcuts more than I so I studied theory just to be able to eliminate it later and reduce it to bare bones. Why 3ths. Because the 3th tells you if the chord is major or minor(in most cases). Example: If you play A and F on 2th and 3th position on 3th and 4th strings you know it fits in F major chord because this is major 3th interval and you already learned what major and minor looks like on guitar. You can use this on piano too but is probably more obvious on guitar since you can transpose shapes on the neck. I can teach someone how to make a song in no time If they are not really dumb. This said learning theory doesn't hurt. The more you learn and try to make sense of it the easier is to figure out shortcuts.

[@alexlo7877]

I was searching for some inspiration to "catch the creative flow". And your video was very helpful. Thank you!

[@MusicisWin]

If you DO wanna learn theory, my course Guitar Super System can show you the way. 50% off the 5-star rated Guitar Super System: bit.ly/GSS5OOFF

[@ChristosLouridas]

So happy I got these. You rock man!! Have an awesome day.

[@jptheproduct]

Brother, the final song is absolutely beautiful! Amazing work!

[@1ce.928]

:(

[@bobboitt3126]

Great advice and vid. I tend to create songs just as you explained however Im not a singer, so usually the "Singer or word person" writes lyrics then hands it to me and we take it from there. So now the key they sing in matters; the lyrics suggest the feeling: happy; sad; evil. (major minor diminished) Just saying its rare I make the music first then fit the words to it.

[@felipe8511]

i did exactly these steps early this mourning including the open E it seems like its a very intuitive way to write

[@Will-qv6es]

"I'm just going to keep with what I'm doing, adding this... the top E string" - so close to music theory xD

[@JaxJordan35]

Honestly, I just play what comes from the heart, I don't care if people say shit like "Oh you're not using a proper blues scale! oh that pentatonic scale is ripping off Yngwie Malmsteen's famous scale in a very shitty way!" I just play what comes from the heart, plain and simple.

[@MrKrOn13]

dude you rock!

[@MusicisWin]

YOU rock.

[@pelipetteri1]

WE ROCK!

[@pasijutaulietuviuesas9174]

Sagar Saluja To be fair, children who learn to play an instrument in their early years naturally have a good vibrato, especially violin players. If you want to offend someone, say "my grandpa who started playing recently has a better vibrato than you". That being said, don't be an ass.

[@sebastianxxx3351]

You k ow that he just was kidding? :D

[@johnmoldenhauer8959]

Are you going to make a video on songwriting using music theory? By the way it sounded magnificent.

[@kendalllevesque407]

this is how i first learned to write! I am studying production now at Full Sail University. Once you get hooked learning comes easy. it becomes a passion instead of a class.

[@samme79]

The only problem I have in songwriting is to match the chords with the lyrics. I seem to have a problem actually singing with the chord progression that I made. I thought it was gonna get touched here but still a solid lesson!

[@cadencole103]

samme79 how long have you been playing being able to sing over your playing just takes time

[@VOYAGEUR-YT]

samme79 Singing at the same time takes practice, but I also have a hard time making lyrics sounds good going along with music. I find it to be the hardest part of writing

[@donepa2306]

I always find myself writing songs exactly like this, but when I do get stuck (Lets say a dominant I want to switch octaves across a chord progression) it's always useful to know even just a little music theory :)

[@rigorhead01]

Great video! Dig that resonator!

[@MsLaurenPanda]

I started doing covers on Ukulele several months ago.. All i know how is to copy and replicate. Making my own sweet songs is my dream.. And this is already so much more sense than b4! I terrible at math but anything intuitive is easyyy

[@petruccigianmarco]

This was a pleasure to watch. Keep it up! Song sounded fantastic as well.

[@lostpiratesband]

you deserve more subscribers you rock and actually really know what you are doing great job!

[@tammycerino4033]

I recently discovered your channel,just wanted to say it's great I can tune in when I have questions,or when I'm frustrated and need answers.Ive been playing 20 years with no music theory.The only thing I would say to you is.....Got to put a picture of Stevie Ray up there on that other wall.Just my opinion.I have an SRV improv/cover of Texas Flood.13 mins long with 13's on it.Joe Cerino Texas Flood.Id like some feedback from you to be honest.Love all your videos!

[@guitaristwilllane]

Good idea. My only issue with the "no theory" approach is that it is not really possible. Theory allows us to easily refer to the patterns in music. A writer may use a Am-F-C-G progression because they are familiar with the sound, and they think it will fit their song. They have recognized the pattern, they refer to that progression. They have used theory- they have heard the pattern and refer back to it. The "theory" that people are scared of is the one that just names the progression 6-4-1-5 for easy reference. Rather than trying to call the progression, "Oh you know the one that sounds kinda sad but moving, ooh its the one used in the Chorus of Africa by Toto!" Anytime a musician refers back to any bit of music for any reason in their performance or writing, they use theory. Whether or not they can name and describe what is actually happening is a different story.

[@whataboutthis...3718]

Watched yr vid, made notes & fell asleep z-z-z 😪. Must've hit play; when asleep, dreamed we were friends, & that you kept talking across the room w/guitar (it was the video), & didn't answer until I yelled. Asleep I noticed your likeable voice; maybe consider singing too if you don't alrdy.🎶🎙🎤🎸🎧👍

[@carolvegas]

thank you so much for this! great tips!! I always thought I needed theory to write music and just recently started trying regardless of how little theory I know. you just reassured me that I don't necessarily need it and I'm super excited to start writing my own songs :) thank you

[@mineheadX1]

I've gotta get a resonator...this guy is a great gtr teacher, buy his courses, they are ridiculously down-priced, he keeps up with e-mail daily if you have a query.

[@pedropauloalvim9517]

Rock songs usually starts with a riff!

[@shadanbaig2144]

You have inspired me to get so much better with my Guitar playing. Keep the good work and yes you definitely deserve more SUBSCRIBERS!! Cheers Mate! :)

[@nocando17]

I'm so glad I found your channel

[@lordjoemott1683]

Kinda new to your channel and I see this is quite an old’ish video but with that I just wanted to say that been playing guitar for quite a while without knowing any music theory, obviously picked up a little bit here and there, because of YOU and some of the other videos of Yours that I’ve seen I have lernt Some more but more theory that I wouldn’t have lernt, cause I don’t have the patience to learn but quickly get the just of it if it said. So thank you for putting your knowledge out there in bite sizes for people who are like me. Stay safe dude 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@GrimRT]

I started without theory but only looked into theory slowly in small parts as it interested me, there’s no point learning it all,a giant chunk each week if you’re not interested in it, I mostly just did covers until that theory started to intrigue me, or until I found a song that uses it really well

[@Chrisdigneffe]

Hey man, I'm thinking about following your course. Do you simply explain theory, or do you also get into techniques to implement the theory, and spice up your playing? I hope i'm making sense with that question.

[@MusicisWin]

I definitely focus on not only explaining but also integrating what you learn into your own guitar playing to help you find your voice on the instrument! That's what it's all about, after all! Here's a coupon for Guitar Super System Level 1: bit.ly/GSSLEVEL1 and here's Level 2 if you're interested: bit.ly/GSSLEVEL2

[@sebastianxxx3351]

Besides, one thing that is really cool in the course is that you learn modes almost from the beginning on in the easiest way possible.

[@kyleolin3566]

If i pay for your course, while i have access to it indefinetly?

[@sebastianxxx3351]

Yes I can tell you it goes the fastest way possible. You click buy, pay, and then you can start with the first lesson.

[@MusicisWin]

You will indeed, Kyle.

[@eggmitchell314]

Thanks a lot man, this helped heaps. Props from Australia!

[@PaulPaul-jw7jx]

I’d agree that you don’t need theory to write a kick ass guitar solo or a funky bass groove, but it really helps and speeds up the process dramatically, takes the time from maybe a couple of months to less than a week, sometimes even a couple of minutes if it’s on the fly and you know where you can and can’t go either way. I have a friend at college who refuses to learn theory because it’s ‘all just rules and limits my creativity’, which is a very bad mindset to have I think. Theory is something that some people don’t think they know, however as long as you write something that’s pleasing to the ear you’re still using some kind of theory without knowing it, and learning what you’re actually doing helps you to do it again and get a love for what you’re playing.

[@pumpkincoffee]

It is much harder to do so without music theory

[@joebustos6413]

From the beginning you were exercising theory. Theory is essential. Just to learn a single chord is theory.with one chord you have all the sounds to make a progression. Having some sort of theory is what sets the ball rolling.

[@Mayersam]

thats a pretty good song! 12:15 very much like eric johnson, but fits very well to your progression. Wasnt expecting that turn!

[@meis18mofo77]

Just the information that chords can't be copyrighted is already a huge help, I was always terryfied of accedentally copying someone and getting fucked by Copyright Trolls, thanks for that

[@lorenzodeiaco8902]

Amazing channel, you really need more subscriber. Ps. I think you have an awesome stile

[@sebastianxxx3351]

I have some thoughts about music theory and it's role in creating music in general (if anybody cares about my opinion): I personally am only in theory a bit. I don't want too learn too much. I think music is something that should come from the heart, it's something that lives, breathes, etc. Rationallizing this can kill the live in it because you start thinking about logic, and that has a direct impact on your piece (it falsifies it if you want). I'm more a fan of always using your ear, feaguring out what sounds good and remember this sounds and feelings and also remember the shapes. I think music is too complex to capture and control it with what we call theory. I'm more and more starting to learn theory, but whenever I learn something new I take care that I can keep a mental distance to it so that it can't change my perception of music. At the end of the day: What sounds good is good, period.

[@fernandomoreno7753]

Sebastian Xxx seems like we're polar opposites. I want to take in as much information about music or my guitar or whatever it is I'm doing to not have any roadblocks if I am working on a song or lick or whatever. I can just play it and know what it is I'm doing and also know what can fit in since I do know the theory behind it. I do agree to use your ear but if you knew the theory, you wouldn't have to guess how to play it or figure it out, you would just know where to place your fingers already. so my point is its better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.

[@sebastianxxx3351]

I love your MAB quote at the end of the comment :D. What's definitely true is that knowing theory eliminates the guesswork. Of course learning as much as possible also shouldn't be wrong. Just a little example: Let's say you write a riff. The root note of the riff is a typical 1-4-5 progression. Now whenever you use this 1-4-5- progression you will have your mind involved. You have an own expectation and thoughts to this progression. Then you might think:"Oh, again this progression. I will add something else to be be more interesting". But what now makes mathematically sense may destroy the riff (or make it worse. Not to mention that the rhythm is even the more important part in music than the note choice). If you were just going by ear and choose notes that felt right your logic wouldn't have an impact- it would be the purest way to write something. And then you could just remember the fingerings and sounds as your theory to replicate certain sounds. But it's still only my opinion.

[@pasijutaulietuviuesas9174]

Sebastian Xxx You don't understand the meaning of 'theory'. Theory is not a set of rules that capture you and control you. Theory, by definition, is explaining something. Theory is an explanation. You can explain your emotions with science, that doesn't mean you will be unable to feel emotions, you will just understand why you feel these emotions. Same way in music, learning theory will allow you to understand the explanation why things are the way they are, they won't prevent you from feeling it. No matter how deeply you study harmony theory, from how many angles you look at it logically, you will still feel the emotional impact of the harmony, melody and rhythm, provided you could feel the impact in the first place. It will just be clear why, how and when something sounds the way it does. For example, try playing iv - V in Em Harmonic scale. For a more dramatic effect, play it in wide chord position. You can very clearly understand and explain how the emotional impact feels. With theory, you can understand how to modify it, how to apply it in different keys, how to modulate it etc. Without theory, you find it, but you're afraid to do anything to it, because if you do, it won't keep the same effect. So in this case, it's the opposite, theory helps you be more free, while not knowing it traps you in one place.

[@fernandomoreno7753]

He Who Judges couldn't have said it better myself

[@sebastianxxx3351]

What you said makes totally sense and I'm really impressed by your effort you show here and especially the intelligence behind it. Your comment really makes me think.I'm a person who ALWAYS looks at everything through EVERY possible perspective because I think it's better to question things than to think something is true when it actually couldn't. That's why I am sceptical about music theory too. I personally mady the experience that I've seen musical pieces through different eyes and also made me feel different after knowing the theorie behind it. So the most important question for me know would be: Does knowing have an impact on the perception of music or doesn't it? Is it only on me or not?

[@justicewins8002]

wow! that was a beautiful tune! thank you! you're awesome!

[@chaseadams347]

That ending when it all came together - just smooth.

[@fluffipups]

I love the song you created! I would like to know what genre it would be considered as because I'd like to make music like this and I'd like to dive in and research and get some inspiration. Thank you and have a great day guys!

[@ABHINAV2386]

this video really helps me... so many things I've learn from your videos....

[@dclarkmusic]

Also, experiment! Play around and find happy accidents. Challenge yourself to try something you wouldn't normally think of!

[@averagejoeguitar9762]

Such a cool video. It was really helpful, especially to someone who doesn't have much of an idea when it comes to music theory. I also have the exact same guitar!

[@MrDCIsaacs]

Um, it's just notes I hear with my ears ... And, remember the ones I played, in the order I played them ... !?!

[@best4businesswrestling]

you are a blessing on earth! thank you sir!

[@RandyBakkelund]

I've never seen a guitar quite like that

[@theunnownprodigy]

It's a resonator, super cool but also heavy as hell

[@joeb3177]

It's also known as a dobro

[@coleharris8045]

I don't want to be that guy, but like, a dobro is a russian guitar.

[@Smartoe12]

That guitar sounds so sweet

[@awesomejustentered]

It’s a gretsch Root series it’s only 300 bucks

[@sidnewman7676]

you can't teach creativity-- find cool sounds and use em :D. I really like the explanation of adjusting chords to your liking, its key to my song writing.

[@redwatch.]

I love this lesson. Just what I needed. Thanks.

[@alespokora8906]

I really like your videos, very helpful. Keep on filming man.

[@whiskymylove]

I have that same gretch. Great acoustic

[@jondufour1745]

Very nice acoustic tone on that Gretsch ;)

[@thatguyTushar]

I thought a "tag" was when the last part of progression is repeated and what you're referring as a tag was called a "hook".

[@liselorebrosens5778]

Wow. I like that song A LOT!

[@pandaplayer7536]

what kind of guitar are you playing on? I would like to get a hollow-body instrument (all I have are electrics) and that's a gorgeous guitar with a gorgeous sound.

[@edgarmendonca]

Why No Friday SOLO covers and Tuesday funny guitar related videos??btw awesome lesson !! this will help me a lot .. thanks a ton!!

[@nicop8452]

I usually start with a melody and then put chords around it. I guess I'm weird like that.

[@evanloken19]

Nico Phillips I do the same thing

[@marcoau7u7]

x3

[@Atticus_Moore]

If you write that way you end up with more chord options than you would melody options if you chose to write chord progressions first.

[@pasijutaulietuviuesas9174]

Nico Phillips No, you're not weird. That's how most traditional songs came to be. The process you speak of is harmonising a melody (putting chords around it) which was the most popular way to write music before and is one of the most popular ways to write music now.