intermediate player with expert ear but zero guitar theory. How do I finally bridge this gap?
I've spent most of my life with music. Started piano (got to grade 7 theory, grade 6 playing), moved to saxophone (grade 8, A-level music), then bass and guitar. I have an ear that works- I can break down any song, tell you what every instrument is doing, and play it back.
Problem: I've never taken a guitar or bass lesson in my life. I learned by ear and muscle memory. So now I can play complicated fingerpicking (Blackbird, Under the Bridge), any metallic baseline including Anesthesia Pulling Teeth, and bar chords. I can physically execute intermediate-level stuff.
But I have no idea what I'm doing.
I don't know what chords I'm actually playing, most of the time. Anything past the 8th fret is a mystery. I can run a scale over a chord when soloing but it sounds like shit because I don't understand the architecture. I know an E7 sus4 when I see it on piano, but on guitar? No clue. Diminished sevenths, inversions, augmented chords- my brain just shuts off.
The reason: I've always rejected theory as "math." Stupid in hindsight.
Now I want to fix this. I have unlimited time and decent funds. I want to marry my natural ability with actual knowledge so I finally feel like I know what I'm doing.
Should I get a private theory-focused teacher (in-person or Zoom)? What books are worth it? Any tutorials or apps that don't suck? I'm extremely motivated and willing to be diligent.