How to Use Music Theory

For publisher-quality tabs & backing tracks of this lesson:

Sound Tools Used in This Vid:
Fender CIJ Tele '52 Reissue with

[KevinORourke]

You know Eric, I don't play much anymore for physical reasons but I still watch your videos because the manner in which you teach brings me a feeling of calmness and the potential for what lies ahead. Not just musically, I'll leave that for others, but just living life. Thanks.

[performanceanalytica]

I love the calm tone/voice you use in teaching

[johnbell]

It's an incredible guide to help you start finding your way, but it's not an absolute path that must be followed. Best thinking man's guitar channel on YT imo. Continued thanks for the videos.

[paw]

Really great lesson and great to see Coxon as part inspiration for it.

[nonethelessbysignificantvi]

All types of education is important and practical even for music...Thanks Eric asual you're the man, coolest guitar teacher I wished I always had!!

[VioletDeliriums]

The funny thing is...Throughout the history of music theory, most often theory was used as descriptive. That is, the music theory looked at the musical style of a certain time period and/or genre and derived the "rules" from the behavior of the music. That theory was then used to describe the musical style. And, oh by the way, music theory (including that portion of it that focuses on pitch-related elements such as harmony and melody that many guitarists of today seem to know something about, and not other syntactical elements such as like form and rhythm that they have never even heard of) is specific to to stylistic genre; that is, it is not a universally good descriptive tool for all styles of music. The only composer-theorist that I can think of that used theory as prescriptive was Arnold Schoenberg and his twelve-tone theory and compositions...I find it odd how so many guitarist of today study so much traditional common-practice harmonic music theory (designed to describe the music of Baroque-Classical-Romantic eras) as a prescription for what they might choose to do with their instruments, and then brag about how much theory they know, when in truth, they know very llittle.

[gregorymichael]

Glad you are okay and made it through the hurricane, Eric! ❤

[treats]

I remember some of the first theory videos I’ve watched and how they inspired me. I remember thinking, “I could write a song.” Now, I’ve fallen in love with theory along the way, but this video would have saved me a lot of time.

Love your videos. Fun stuff.

[curtrod]

Man you make playing guitar look so simple, and sounds so beautiful even when you're just demonstrating stuff...oh yeah, and thanks!

[xpjbvew]

I had written some amazing lyrics and got some chords together- Eric your lesson was like the solution I was looking for to put the melody to the song- I keep it simple with some quirky surprises which surprises even myself-

[MaBaKar]

Excellent and easy to digest lesson. I wish I had been given such a lesson many years ago. Thanks Eric.

[boomerdell]

Not only another wonderful and superb lesson from Eric Haugen, but a real nice tip o’ the pick (plectrum) to the supremely talented and inspirational Chappell Roan. Nicely done, Eric!🌟👍🏽

[macsarcule]

Thank you, Eric! I hope you’re well and hope you’re safe. Take care! ✌️😌🎸

[This_is_fine]

Eric thank you so much. having just picked up an acoustic and going through your videos. I have made months of progress in a few weeks

[richardlynch]

More fun😎👍👍
Diggin yet moon phases hanging on the wall😁👍👍
Great "telephony" tones Eric😃👍

[denisladouceur]

Great lesson. Thanks for that!
Another thanks goes to reminding me about pizza. I forgot I had to make dough for tonight's dinner.
Perfect way to encapsulate your lessons: good guitar knowledge, and a little extra on top.

[hardyshmardy]

That is what you do, and you do it well!

[michaelkemp]

Creative Intuition is your sense of direction; Music Theory is the map

[blues]

Thanks for that tip on borrowing chords from parallel scales. Finally explains that flat 7 major chord in the progression for me. I know it works. Just didn't know why. No pizza. Instead, a burger topped with bacon and blue cheese. Fair exchange in my opinion... ;-)

[ryleuty]

I think I hear Tears in Heaven on that same Blur progression. Also, love your vids they're so perfect for where I am in my learning journey.