So what do the guitarists of reddit think about exercises? Here are my thoughts...

For the record, I never claimed that music theory was useless, nor that I didn't learn any scales.

I never spent much time memorizing scales

When comparing the time I spent learning licks/solos and songs to the time I spent learning basic scales and some modes, the comment is right on. The relative amount of time spent on theory wasn't significant.

It also wasn't early. I started learning to play in the sixties, and although I had normal music classes in elementary and high school, it wasn't until the 1980s, as an adult, that I decided to get some formal training.

But by that time, I was able to figure out by ear, and play by ear, everything I wanted to play, and the scales were just not of much use, so I didn't continue trying to master them. I decided that more time spent mastering scales did not mean more time spent developing the skills needed for the types of music I wanted to play.

Since then, I've taught hundreds of kids and adults how to play, and cannot tell you how many times they tell me they stopped playing because they didn't want to learn theory, they just wanted to grab their guitar and play a few songs they loved.

I realized back then, that for most people, theory was killing the joy of playing because they were not interested in becoming masterful guitarists, they just wanted to know how to use tab, and to get around on the guitar to play some fun songs.

From that point, I also recognized that most of the people I met, or read about, learned the same way.

Does it mean theory is useless? Of course not. But it also means it is not essential.

What are a person's goals? Those often change over time. Many start out only wanting to play and are turned off by lessons. Then you have those who learn how to play the songs they love, and some of those want to go on to get more technical.

This comment about my daughters was in reference to people calling people "gifted or musical geniuses", when in reality, they are usually just very determined and hard-working talented people, but it also shows that I recognize the value of serious musical scholarship.

Peace, brother-in-blues

/r/Guitar Thread Parent