Theory and where to start?

[Daytona955i]

I know there are countless threads regarding theory on this site and many others. I've looked at the sticky threads and read a lot of others trying to find out how and what to learn about theory.

Everytime I've tried, I don't seem to get anywhere because what I read is based off other things that I don't know yet. So what's the best place to start?

My bandmates tell me that the riffs and rhythms I've come up with are different and interesting and they ask me what theory is behind it, and I just tell them that they come from messing around with what sounds good, because that's really all I do.

I've spent a lot of time with technique, slapping, fingerstyle, pick playing, and a lot of the left hand technique ideas (hammers/pulls kind of stuff) and I can even two-hand tap some stuff, but I just don't know WHY things sound they way they do.

[Ibanezzer]

Hey take a look at www.musictheory.net, it seems like a really well made resource that starts right from the basics and builds up. I am in a music theory class in college and was getting confused by some of the more advanced stuff and came accross this website. It has helped in my comprehension of stuff and seemed like a very good visual resource.

David.

[EricF]

Music theory stuff can get pretty overwhelming pretty fast. For me, the important things to know are...
1. Location of notes on the fretboard.
2. Understanding chord structures.
3. Knowledge of scale patterns and how they relate to the chords.