Tommy Emmanuel is undoubtedly one of the most talented musicians of our time. He has mesmerized audiences all over the world with his guitar skills and has inspired countless aspiring guitarists.
However, there has been a long-standing debate among music enthusiasts about whether or not he knows music theory. In this article, we will dive deep into this topic and explore the facts behind this controversy.
Who is Tommy Emmanuel?
Before we delve into the question of whether Tommy Emmanuel knows music theory or not, let’s take a brief look at who he is. Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist, singer, and songwriter who was born in 1955.
He started playing guitar at a very young age and by the time he was six, he had already started performing publicly. Over the years, he has become known for his unique fingerstyle guitar playing technique which involves using all ten fingers to play guitar.
What is Music Theory?
Music theory is essentially the study of how music works. It covers everything from the basics of melody and harmony to advanced concepts such as counterpoint and orchestration. Understanding music theory can help musicians to create more complex compositions and arrangements.
Does Tommy Emmanuel Know Music Theory?
Now that we have a basic understanding of who Tommy Emmanuel is and what music theory is, let’s get back to our main question – does Tommy Emmanuel know music theory? The answer to this question is yes!
Tommy Emmanuel has often stated in interviews that he learned music theory through his own personal study and practice. He has also mentioned that he learned a lot about music theory from his brother Phil Emmanuel who was also a musician.
In fact, if you watch any of Tommy Emmanuel’s instructional videos or attend one of his workshops, you will see that he frequently talks about various aspects of music theory such as chord progressions, scales, modes, etc.
Tommy Emmanuel’s Approach to Music Theory
However, it is important to note that Tommy Emmanuel’s approach to music theory is somewhat different from the traditional academic approach. He has often said that he doesn’t like to get bogged down by technical terms and prefers to focus on what sounds good.
Tommy Emmanuel’s approach to music theory is more practical and intuitive. He has a great ear for music and can pick up on complex harmonic structures without necessarily being able to articulate them in academic terms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say with confidence that Tommy Emmanuel does know music theory. While his approach may be different from the traditional academic approach, he has a deep understanding of various musical concepts and uses them extensively in his playing.
If you are an aspiring musician or guitarist, learning music theory can definitely help you become a better musician. However, it is also important to remember that there are many successful musicians out there who don’t have a formal education in music theory but have still managed to create beautiful and inspiring music.