High school music theory class

[MetalManZ]

I'm wondering whether or not I should take a music theory class at my high school. This is the first year they've offered it and I will be a senior so if want to take I have to take it next year. I'm not an expert when it comes to theory and I'm not entirely sure if I'm advanced enough to take the class. I've been playing bass for 2 years and played French Horn for 3 years before bass. If anyone else has any experience with music theory can you please explain what the class will teach me and if I will need some sort of pre-requisate knowledge. Please and Thank You.

[onlyclave]

My junior year in high school was the first music theory class I ever took and it was great. I also played horn, but for 6 years by that time. The fact that you can read standard notation immediately helps immensely.

It's been a long time, but I remember that we spent time learning to identify intervals by sight and by sound (Do-Fa, P4, "Here Comes the Bride"), memorizing key signatures, understanding, major, natural minor, melodic and harmonic minor and a lot of simple transcribing. It was a great set up for AP Music Theory that I took the following year.

Don't worry about not being advanced enough. Not many people in high school have ever had that much exposure to it either. I would highly recommend the class.

[MetalManZ]

Thanks alot becaus I have to get teacher aproval by tomorrow and sign up by wednesday. I was kinda nervous about it so that really helps.

[dontcallmeQRACK]

Take it.

I am a highschool junior as of this year, and I've been taking music theory since September and plan on taking AP theory next year. Although it does get a little frustrating from the fact that I went in a lot below the other students since they are in band and orchestra, it helped me tremendously. Just be committed since theory isn't the most fun thing to learn at times.

[DudeistMonk]

I did it in college having little more knowledge besides the major and minor scales and reading bass clef and I got a B...You'll do fine, enjoy the class, taking music theory 101 was one of the best decisions I ever made.

[zeppelinfreak]

My school has only an AP music theory class. Its tough, run by our jazz teacher who plays between 4 and 6 gigs a week, and has his doctorate in composition.

Its a hard class, but if you try, you learn TONS. Everything from basic intervals, to chord building, to cadences, to counter point, to chorales, to tonal tendency, etc.

[RedLeg]

If I didnt take theory in HS, I would have never landed my current gig with the army playin bass. you never know what skills that you acquire over the years will actually benefit you the most. besides, theory is like learnin a foreign language, better to get it in young.

[MetalManZ]

I was actually really against the class until I got all these posts. Thanks for the encouragement you guys. I guess I was just a little nervous and didnt realize how much it could help out.

[lunker]

Take it. You've got more than enough musical background to get as much out of it as you can.

[HelloJerk]

TAKE IT!!!

[Captain_Arrrg]

You'll find yourself asking "They give credit for this? I was going to do it anyway! Score!"

[Slackerprince]

If I were you, I'd be all over it.
What an opportunity.
When you're old, like me, you have to pay for it.$$$
Go for it.

S.

[Jim Carr]

I wish there was such a class when I was in High School...Oh wait, there was. I was just to thick-headed to realize I needed it. Boy, was I wrong.

Take theory and work hard at it. You will become a better bass player and a better all round musician, no matter what your career goals or dreams. Good luck!!

Let us know if you got permission....Hope so!

[ryco]

+1 - take it! Interesting and fun!

Especially good if you're planning on taking music courses in college later on.
Will put you that much further ahead.

[EADG mx]

When I was in hs we did theory from the ground up. Not sure what the standard is in the States but we did it more or less right out of the RCM book. It will increase your playing and knowledge by leaps and bounds, it takes up a credit, and you can't argue with the price.

[Dave Muscato]

Originally Posted by MetalManZ

I'm wondering whether or not I should take a music theory class at my high school. This is the first year they've offered it and I will be a senior so if want to take I have to take it next year. I'm not an expert when it comes to theory and I'm not entirely sure if I'm advanced enough to take the class. I've been playing bass for 2 years and played French Horn for 3 years before bass. If anyone else has any experience with music theory can you please explain what the class will teach me and if I will need some sort of pre-requisate knowledge. Please and Thank You.

Absolutely take it. You almost certainly do not need any previous musical training, but if you can already read music, that's even better. Music theory is what separates "the men" from "the boys," if you ask me. Reading music just takes practice, but understanding how and why it's put together, and being able to apply that knowledge in improvisation and composition, as well as appreciating music at a much deeper and more sophisticated level, is what music theory does for you. You can thank me later

[Martin Bormann]

I don't know what they plan to teach in a single theory class. My guess it's going to be basic chord construction and the circle of fifths and maybe a four part chorale for a final project. You should know that stuff, but you also should be working on sight singing and aural dictation. In fact I dare say sight singing/aural dictation is more important than studying theory or even instrument technique. But yeah, any class on music theory is definitely worth taking.

[Mr. Mig]

If you can take it, then do it.