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Recently, i've been looking at several tutorials and books on music theory. It's amazing how the "how" makes so much more sense once you know the "why". I have to admit it was an incredible eye opener when I realized that the awesome solo I just managed to "make up" is nothing more than a few scales of different flavors working together. It seemed natural to jump from note 1 to note 2, but once you learn that there is a pattern to everything, you certainly look at your guitar in a different light.

So is music theory a must?

Let's look at it from both perspectives.

Those who says 'yay' to this usually have a similar argument. In order to make good music, you have to know the rules of music, to take them or break them as you see fit. No use trying to reinvent the wheel when you can easily pick up a few books and then develop your own style afterwards. Music theory is not much a set of rules, as previously states, as it is a collection of common practice. Picture 6 guitar players smoking a bowl (ok, so the bowl is optional) and telling each other hints and tricks. That's your music theory right there.

And yet, naysayers will say that there are many who, without music theory, have made great music. Take Jimi Hendrix for example. Or Dave Murray. They both had no knowledge of musical theory. Yet they managed to make riffs and melodies which still make us sway today. So is musical theory just an option for those born without the innate ability to make music?

In my opinion, no. As incredible as Hendrix was, he himself felt trapped within the boundaries of his own creativity. Sadly, he never had the time to learn theory. It's like being this incredible artist. Maybe the best in the world. And you have a box of 12 crayons, and with it, you create something beautiful. Now imagine if you could have hundreds of more colors because you tapped into this pool of knowledge where all these other incredible artists are sharing their crayons. This crude anology is my perspective on music theory, and why I think that anyone that's serious about playing the guitar and making music should at least read a book on it to see what it's about ^_^

I think what you're both saying is absoloutely right, but I think there's one thing you've missed - having bad days.

If you're a song-writer, and you write purely by inspiration, then on some days you might be a bit pissed off or half asleep or whatever, and unable to get any work done, because the inspiration "hasn't struck you". However, if the way you write is based on theory, and tried+tested principles, then even when you're having a terrible day, you still know that a bridge based around the 5th chord of the key will lead nicely into a chorus based around the 3rd. Inspiration can leave you stranded, but knowledge is always there.

Hell, when im half asleep is when i write my best stuff lol

Also, if you know the theory, when true inspiration DOES hit, you'll be able to portray it much faster because your only worried in writing what you feel, not in the -how-.

i say theory is a must. almost all of the great musicians today wouldnt be that good without it. vai and petrucci, in my opinion two of the best guitarists out there, went to berklee.
although with some people, theory can be replaced by drugs

While we are on the topic, what are some good guitar based theory books? I know theory is for all music, but most books go by keyboards, which I do not yet play or own. Any help would be great.

Why don't we ever talk about music theory anymore? Do you think I'm pretty? Do these pants make my a** look big?

Not a must. You don`t need theory to be a good musician. You just need theory to be a better musician.