Guitar usefull for learning theory?

[naja]

I'm considering buying a cheap guitar for learning some theory on. I've got a digital multi-track recorder, and I use hydrogen as a drum machine.

I'm considering using the guitar to create chord progressions and record them for use as templates, so to speak, that I can use to practice to. I'm interested in learning how to hear the chordal tones of a song, and also getting better at playing what I hear in my head.

Any thoughts?

[timbledum]

Go for it! The more you know about any instrument or any part of music, the more it helps your bass playing. I muck around on guitar a lot, and love coming up with complimenting bass lines and chords.

[JTE]

You can get a better keyboard for small money than you can a guitar. Also, it's easier to come to grips with figuring out chords on a keybothan on a guitar. So, unless you already have some chord skills, a keyboard might be more useful.

Jihn

[dalkowski]

+1 timbledum.
+100 Jihn.

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by naja

I'm considering buying a cheap guitar for learning some theory on. I've got a digital multi-track recorder, and I use hydrogen as a drum machine.

I'm considering using the guitar to create chord progressions and record them for use as templates, so to speak, that I can use to practice to. I'm interested in learning how to hear the chordal tones of a song, and also getting better at playing what I hear in my head.

Any thoughts?

What has already been said - the keyboard is easier to "see" theory on as everything will be in a straight line where as the guitar will have everything spread over 4 to 6 strings.

The sound of a chord on a guitar and a keyboard is different, however, relevant.

For what you want you will be able to find entrance level instruments for less than $100 each.

Good luck.

[Ron Plichta]

+1 on the keyboard. More important than learning the chords is learning interval theory. A keyboard makes the intervals very clear and easy to see. Once you have intervals down, scales, modes and chords become easier to grasp.

[guroove]

I think a keyboard would be more useful for learning theory on as well. A guitar is useful for... playing gutar on.

[mambo4]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

the keyboard is easier to "see" theory on as everything will be in a straight line where as the guitar will have everything spread over 4 to 6 strings.

I only half agree with that.

the guitar, like the bass, is a symmetrical instrument. scales shapes, intervals, and chords use the same "shapes" regardless of the key, so it can be easier to see the underlying functional relationships on a guitar.
Plus alot of your understanding of a bass can apply directly to a guitar

-but that's not entirely a good thing, because your habits of thought will also transfer.
translating back and forth between bass and a piano will force you to understand things at a more abstract level,
as well as forcing you to consider notes by name more often.

[naja]

Originally Posted by JTE

You can get a better keyboard for small money than you can a guitar. Also, it's easier to come to grips with figuring out chords on a keybothan on a guitar. So, unless you already have some chord skills, a keyboard might be more useful.

Jihn

I played guitar for a couple of years before switching to bass. That was around 20 years ago however.....but I can still pick one up and strum a few chords.

I actually have a small, el cheapo keyboard.... I guess I should have mentioned that. I can "see" the chords on it, but after a few weeks of practicing I just can't seem to get my hands to cooperate with creating a chord progression that is smooth and able to follow along with. I'm considering the guitar since I would be somewhat more experienced with it, but since I always see a keyboard suggested for theory study I thought I would ask about the guitar.

[98dvl]

Sounds like you already have a computer...

Why not look into a program like Band In a Box that will generate chords and progressions for you automatically?

Although, leaning guitar will definitely help with bass theory... I think owning a 5 string helps a lot as well, as it's easier to see the fretboard patterns when you add that extra string.

[naja]

98DVL, I've considered BIAB in the past but wasn't really sold on the idea. I need to listen to some of the demos they have online and see if it would work.

[brickerenator]

Music is music.

Learn as much as you can.

[dalkowski]

Frankly, I think the bass is a really good platform for learning interval theory.

[MonetBass]

There are chord voicings you can do on guitar that are difficult to do on piano, and vice versa. If your intention is learning more about theory, either guitar or keyboard works. If your intention is learning to play guitar, get a guitar.

[stratovani]

I've been playing guitar since 1972, and I've dabbled in keys for almost as long, and in my opinion guitar is best for learning skills that translate well to bass - roots, learning the fretboard, etc. But for learning music theory it's pretty hard to beat a keyboard. It's such a visual instrument, it's so easy to see the relationship between notes and chords. So I'd say pick up both if you can. $100 each should get you something decent to learn on.

[Classickbass]

So many have said it but I will add to it, get a keyboard. Being able to see it on a linear fashion in front of you makes is SO easy to grasp theory. I have learned 10x's the theory of bass on piano in less than a year.

[macdeezy]

keyboard is the way to go in my opinion. sure, the fretboard lends itself to movable shapes and what not, but thats exactly why I think its better to use the keyboard -- because it makes you work harder.

also, lets face it, the world doesn't need another guitar player.

[98dvl]

BTW, if you're thinking of getting a keyboard... Look into the Line 6 KB37. It's enough to keep you occupied with learning scales and the like, but also doubles as a recording interface, and MIDI input device. I have one and love it. There's a bit of a learning curve to making it a "keyboard" (and you will need a computer to do so), but it's worth it, especially if you can get a good price on a used one. With MIDI and the DAW on your computer (I use Reaper), you can record your chord progressions and play/record over them... Then save the MIDI file, and use them again and again.

If you're going to go the guitar route, I highly recommend going to rondomusic.com and picking up an Agile guitar (take your pick on the model, they all pretty good). Right now is a good time, because all the B-stocks from Christmas are still coming in (they're usually just returns, but Kurt lists the "problems" in the product description - in my experience, the "problem" descriptions are usually a tad exaggerated - sometimes you'll have a hard time finding the "scratches" or other issues as described). I picked up a Dauntless B-stock for $180, it was just like brand new, and is my favorite guitar.

If you pick up a guitar, a loop pedal is an essential tool for jamming over chords. It's been my experience that playing scales/modes/etc. over chords really lets you hear how certain modes/scales have a certain feeling or mood to them. I really think playing modes over and over without the reference of chords is sort of a pointless exercise, unless you're just learning your way around your fretboard.

Here's a link to the current B-stocks on hand:

http://www.rondomusic.com/camp.html (I just checked and there aren't as many as there were earlier in the week - B-stocks come in all the time though).

[mcm]

piano is the easiest way

[Swampman Cory]

I would say, for your purposes, that there's nothing you can do on guitar can't do on a bass. Keyboard or bust! And by bust, I mean just learn it on the bass and learn the good stuff.