How to Learn Guitar Theory on the Fretboard

How to Learn Guitar Theory on the Fretboard
Each guitar player may have a different way of thinking about musical concepts initially, but all players end up applying things to the guitar fretboard in a similar manner. This is because the fretboard is a grid and learning it properly requires mapping out guitar chords and guitar scales in the forms of shapes and patterns. Today's guitarists need to spend more time focusing on their instrument's unique perspective and less time dwelling on the details of written notation or traditional music theory.

Music Theory
Guitar players make many attempts to learn more about how music works, music theory. They study notation, learn about the circle of fifths, memorize step formulas for certain scales, and the list goes on and on. What good does all this do in terms of affecting how guitarists play? Not much. There's more to it.

Guitar Theory
Traditional thought has corrupted the teaching of guitar for too long. Guitar players shouldn't base their studies on methods created for other instruments, like the piano. Good musicians prepare themselves to understand and play their instruments the best they can, not memorize useless terminology or take written tests. Modern guitar players need to focus on their instrument's unique perspective and should study music theory in a manner that is best suited for this application. This fretboard specific study is called guitar theory.

Fretboard Theory
Guitarists who want to learn guitar theory need to focus on properly visualizing shapes, patterns and how they connect on the fretboard. Good guitar players understand how musical components relate to each other by the way they connect and overlap. Taking a hands-on approach to learning guitar theory can save players from much frustration and literally add years to their musical development.

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