The Biggest Lies You’ve Been Told About Music Theory

We often make excuses as to why we don't need to do something, even if, deep down, we know that thing is probably good for us. "I can't eat a healthy lunch today; I don't have time for all that meal prep–I'll just stop in here for some fast food" or "I don't even feel that tired, so how about one more episode?" are actions we've all justified in our minds at least once.

Music theory is often treated in a similar way, because while we guitar players know it's probably good for us, we've accepted lies about it that keep us from ever giving ourselves a chance to learn.

I’ve learned music theory at the highest level at Berklee College of Music, and I can say without a doubt that it has only made me a more expressive and well-rounded musician. You may disagree that it could have the same effect for you, though, which is understandable. I wonder, though… why do you feel that way? Have you been told lies about music theory?

Tyler Larson is the founder of the guitar-centric brand Music is Win. His insightful, uncomplicated guitar lessons and gear demonstrations along with entertaining, satirical content about life as a musician receive tens of millions of video views per month across social media. Tyler is also the creator of the extremely popular online guitar learning platform, Guitar Super System. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Tyler has been teaching guitar for over a decade and operates a production studio in Nashville, TN.