“Remember, it’s called music ‘theory,’ not ‘law’”: Jason Richardson says theory isn’t essential to write killer guitar parts
Whether or not serious musicians should know theory tends to be a pretty divisive topic. While some think knowing theory makes you a more well-rounded musician, others think you can get by without it. All That Remains guitarist Jason Richardson says it’s “not a necessity”.
In a new interview with Guitar World, Richardson insists that music theory is not an essential ingredient when cooking up a killer riff and solos.
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Richardson says that while writing the latest All That Remains record, AntiFragile, theory helped “expedite the writing process”, but that it wasn’t a “necessity”.
“I know plenty of players who write the craziest-sounding stuff, and some of them don’t know anything about theory.” He says it’s “almost better” for those players as they aren’t constrained by conventions, and instead are just “playing what sounds cool to them”.
“I know plenty of players who write the craziest-sounding stuff, and some of them don’t know anything about theory,” he adds.
Richardson uses jazz fusion guitarist Al Di Meola as an example. Now only does the guitarist have his own unique sound, but he’s also spoken out about theory in the past. “The bluntest way I’ve ever heard it put is this: Al Di Meola was at [John Petrucci’s Guitar Universe] and he said, ‘Learn as much theory as you possibly can and then forget it!’” he says.
“That way it’s subconscious; it’s in the back of your head, not the front,” he continues. “Remember, it’s called music ‘theory,’ not ‘law.’ It’s just there to guide you, to be a suggestion and help make things work better together with each other.”
Elsewhere, Tommy Emmanuel has recently spoken out about his lack of music theory knowledge on Australian news show The Project. “I can’t read notes,” he admitted. “I can read a chord chart and follow the chords, but I can’t read notes!”
“It’s really weird, being a teacher in a place like Berklee College of Music. 400 students asking questions… and I’m the only one there who can’t read! It’s bizarre… I can ‘write’ you a song and play it, but I can’t write it on paper. I have to hire people to do that.”
On the flip side, Steve Vai is a diehard music theory supporter. “Understanding music theory can help in your ability to express yourself,” he told Guitar.com in 2018. “It’s helped me!”
The post “Remember, it’s called music ‘theory,’ not ‘law’”: Jason Richardson says theory isn’t essential to write killer guitar parts appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Source: www.guitar-bass.net
