I agree with the recommendation of learning a bit of theory. I've a long, long way to go, as anyone that's heard my music can testify, but the theory I have learned since I started taking guitar lessons has brought me on immensely with regard to writing music, and coming up with new ideas. Theory is great for coming up with new ideas when you're stuck for inspiration.

I agree with the recommendation of learning a bit of theory. I've a long, long way to go, as anyone that's heard my music can testify, but the theory I have learned since I started taking guitar lessons has brought me on immensely with regard to writing music, and coming up with new ideas. Theory is great for coming up with new ideas when you're stuck for inspiration.

I also find listening to something new or reading a new book. Most the time I find new inspiration from simply learning or paying attention to things around me. Politics being something of value now days. Also economy and whats up with the planet. Lots of information to gather.

I've noticed that some people don't like learning theory for fear that it will lock them into having to play or write a certain way, in a certain formula, in a certain manner.

Doesn't it make more sense that the more you know, the more command you have over your instrument; and the better you are able to move about freely with the confidence that you know your shit? You don't have to be formulaic about music just because you understand how it works. I hope this doesn't sound preachy, it's not meant to. But if one can play really well without the theory, go right ahead!

Of course, I must note that there are many fantastic musicians who are creative and highly skilled who couldn't tell you what chord they are playing!

For instance: 1:46-2:04
[youtube]1ASwqPPNLck[/youtube]

Brilliant!


This thread has gone a little off topic hasn't it?

Music theory would probably help me but I was never that interested in learning it. And I've done fine on my own IMO.

Just wondering Dev, whos doing the artwork for ADDICTED?? Is it Travis "the fuckin man" Smith again?? The Ki booklet is awesome so i hope so! Will it be a similar theme or totally diferrent artwork??

Just wondering Dev, whos doing the artwork for ADDICTED?? Is it Travis "the fuckin man" Smith again?? The Ki booklet is awesome so i hope so! Will it be a similar theme or totally diferrent artwork??

I'm sure it will be, most of the work has been done by Travis, and I do believe seeing that somewhere Dev wasn't really planning on changing that subject. Then again I could be wrong and it could have been someone else who has been working with Travis Smith

Just wondering Dev, whos doing the artwork for ADDICTED?? Is it Travis "the fuckin man" Smith again?? The Ki booklet is awesome so i hope so! Will it be a similar theme or totally diferrent artwork??

I'm sure it will be, most of the work has been done by Travis, and I do believe seeing that somewhere Dev wasn't really planning on changing that subject. Then again I could be wrong and it could have been someone else who has been working with Travis Smith

On the wikipedia page it says Travis is doing it, and this makes me happy indeed! He realizes Devin's music like no one else.

Just wondering Dev, whos doing the artwork for ADDICTED?? Is it Travis "the fuckin man" Smith again?? The Ki booklet is awesome so i hope so! Will it be a similar theme or totally diferrent artwork??

Konrad Palkiewicz did all the Ki art, Travis Smith just designed the DTP logo.

But Travis is doing the Addicted art: http://hevydevyforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7976&p=197049#p197049

Of course, I must note that there are many fantastic musicians who are creative and highly skilled who couldn't tell you what chord they are playing!

For instance: 1:46-2:04
[youtube]1ASwqPPNLck[/youtube]

Brilliant!

Me <3 Opeth, saw them play last year just before they released Watershed.

But Mikael's ability comes down to his level of experience, his fingers know instinctively where to go to get a certain sound. There's no denying his incredible talent but I can definately imagine that in his first few years of songwriting he struggled to find good material.

Seen them three times Sorry about the bragging - just throwin it out there

Yes, Mikael Akerfeldt's really come into his own for not knowing much theory. He sure fooled me, I thought he knew just about everything there is to know about guitar playing - and maybe he doesn't technically, but he certainly knows enough to be able to play the way he does

Apparently he epically fails at this though
(This had to have been posted around here somewhere, but ... here it is again. )

[youtube]h2InJpqo_bw[/youtube]

Seen them three times

I've seen em four. Snap.

i firmly belive that one doesn't need to know anything about theory in order to play well. Opeth is a prime example. With experience and enough practise with chords and remembering how to get certain sounds that should get the player through the song writing process. Then again, it takes theory in order to advance past basic song writing and create certain moods and atmospheres that linger across an entire album and keep it consistant.

But try as you might, you have to sit down and learn a thing or two about theory before getting into scales and solos.

Seen them three times

I've seen em four. Snap.

That is an 'oh snap' indeed. Kudos fool, where and when did you see them? And when did Mikael Akerfeldt get a tattoo on his forearm? It looks kind of fresh to me ???
Check out his right arm:
http://www.faceculture.tv/index.php?cnti_key=11743240

Perhaps I've said this already - but on heavily tattooed people, in older pictures, their arms are all naked in the newer ones, there's all this stuff on 'em *coughMENDEZcough*

i firmly belive that one doesn't need to know anything about theory in order to play well. Opeth is a prime example. With experience and enough practise with chords and remembering how to get certain sounds that should get the player through the song writing process. Then again, it takes theory in order to advance past basic song writing and create certain moods and atmospheres that linger across an entire album and keep it consistant.

But try as you might, you have to sit down and learn a thing or two about theory before getting into scales and solos.

To be honest, I don't find it very delightful when I try to jam with somebody and I can't communicate with him by saying "Let's play some blues sheme in G minor" or "Let's play over G#7, A7 and B7" because he doesn't understand. I think you should know some basic things as various chord voicings, fingerings for major/minor-scale, pentatonic and perhaps the modes, depending on the music you play. But if you play metal or something where every note is fixed, or if you are genius (see Paco de Lucia), you might not need theory and stuff.

I think music theory is like a lot of things. You don't need to get lessons or learn it "the right way" in order to learn it. That said, the vast majority of people will learn it more efficiently, and a lot quicker by just learning it properly in the first place, rather than reinventing the wheel or wasting a lot of time trying to derive it for yourself, instead of making use of the time other people have spent to work it out for you.