i was writing out some theory, the degrees of scales, for a friend of mine when another friend, a drummer, of mine ask mine ask me "what of learning it" and i said cause if you learn it this way you only have to work with about 7 notes rather than 80 or 90. then she said what's the point of learning any theory, then started naming out examples of famous guitarists who didn't know anything about theory... and she still doesn't know the importance of theory... just wanted to know yer oppinions

oh the classic line, the great didn't know theory - That's a lie.

It's this simple, Music is a language and like the dictionary, music theory allows you to speak more freely on your instrument.
If you went to Mexico and couldn't speak spanish you wanted get to far would you.

I didnt spend to much time on theory...Theory never helped me write a half decent song...Songwriting is more important then theory to me not to say that theory cant help because it can...I think some people need it more than others.

Whats the point in having intricate guitar parts or lead in a song if the song it self sucks...Songwriting is more important...Thats just my opinion...Work on ones songwriting because in the end thats what most people care about anyway...Not how intricate the guitar playing is or how much theory went into it.

Songwriting may be important but as far as wanting to be a better guitar player, Theroy is more important in my opinion.

I dont know about theory making you a better guitarist...It may make you more aware of the notes you play and why they work together however Im not sure about making you a better guitarist ability wise(theory can give you ideas and a place to jump off from)....Dont forget about natural ability...For some people guitar comes easier to them and have an ear for it and dont need guidance as much as others.

I would never say not to learn theory.

If you know theroy you are more likley to know what sounds right. Not to put a defenition on what sounds "right" or anything. A natural ear also gives you this ability so i guess it is finding a balance in between theroy and listening to what you are playing.

Yeah...Its the combination of both theory and what sounds good.

Theory is kind of like a road map. It gives you a good idea where to go, but sometimes you have to go off the map and feel what is right. It's important to know, in my opinion, because it allows to let you think beyond your own natural ability. It gives things more dynamtics and choices. It teaches you why certain things will sound good together, and why others tend not too, but at certain times you have to throw the rule books out and play what feels good.

Theory will help you alot if you are trying to write the music for a song, instead of just randomly playing notes. You have to know the language before you can play it.

everyone has there opinion and I respect that however the analogy of music being a language does not make sense to me...Music is universal...language is not.

reading music is universal that's why they wrote it so another musician could look and play it from wherever in the world.

Trust me though reading music is one thing I always disliked. But I can do it.

Yeah I can read music however It could of been invented or done an easier way...no doubt.