High school theory class

thatguy5623 · #1 08-09-2006, 05:16 PM

Hey, the other day I got my schedule for my freshmen year of high school and it confimed that I'm taking music theory as an elective.
My problem is.....I don't know what I should expect in this class.
It is the only theory class my small school offers.
Does anyone have any expierience with a class like this?
What do i need to know going into it?
What should I learn?

I know a lot of these questions really depend on the school but I was just wondering what your guys' expieriences were.

tplyons · #2 08-09-2006, 05:39 PM

How long have you been playing? Did you ever play another instrument? Do you have any formal training?

My class started with seven people. One dropped out due to scheduling issues, the other dropped out because he had no knowledge of music theory whatsoever. Great musician, but used intuition, had no knowledge of notes, relationships or anything.

If you have any formal background, it won't be a problem. Still a hard class, but definately worth it.

Jiggybass · #3 08-09-2006, 05:54 PM

I hardly knew anything, and I got through fine. The class'll teach all the basics that you need to know, and you'll grow from there. You don't to know a spectacular amount upon entering the classroom, a vasic understanding of music is enough. If you can tell major from minor, you are fine. worked for me

m0nst3r · #4 08-09-2006, 06:29 PM

I took theory in high school, and it was pretty easy. Some of the stuff my teacher went over included some basic stuff like rhythm, major and minor scales, intervals, chords, and some basic chord progressions. Along with that we did short compositions based on what we learned the previous week. For instance, I remember after learning P4, P5, and P8 intervals, we had to come up with a short composition, like 30 seconds, that used all of these intervals.

thatguy5623 · #5 08-09-2006, 06:36 PM

Quote:

How long have you been playing? Did you ever play another instrument? Do you have any formal training?

I've been playing for around 2 years, I played cello for about 3 before that. I know how to read bass clef. I've also been taking formal lessons for around a year.

Will I need to know treble clef??

tplyons · #6 08-09-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatguy5623

I've been playing for around 2 years, I played cello for about 3 before that. I know how to read bass clef. I've also been taking formal lessons for around a year.

Will I need to know treble clef??

In my class, we worked in treble and bass clefs, as well as alto and tenor clefs.

thatguy5623 · #7 08-09-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

In my class, we worked in treble and bass clefs, as well as alto and tenor clefs.

Will I need to be well versed in all of those? I should probably get started if I do. Where would I start to learn those clefs?

This might sound lame, but can I play them on bass?

Jazzin' · #8 08-09-2006, 11:07 PM

Hishschool theory will get you the basic knowledge needed in order to understand most music. It's pretty much almost the only theory I have ever been tought formally. Yu will probably learn basic chords, scales, key signatures, time signatures, some basic ear training of chords and intervals. Pretty much all the basics. The essentials for any musician.

tplyons · #9 08-10-2006, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatguy5623

Will I need to be well versed in all of those? I should probably get started if I do. Where would I start to learn those clefs?

This might sound lame, but can I play them on bass?

We worked mostly in treble and bass clef. Alto and tenor were randomly throw in, but minimally. Still a pain in the butt for me, but I can work it out. I can read in treble and bass clefs.

And yes, you can play them all on bass.

iplaybassguitar · #10 08-11-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatguy5623

Hey, the other day I got my schedule for my freshmen year of high school and it confimed that I'm taking music theory as an elective.
My problem is.....I don't know what I should expect in this class.
It is the only theory class my small school offers.
Does anyone have any expierience with a class like this?
What do i need to know going into it?
What should I learn?

I know a lot of these questions really depend on the school but I was just wondering what your guys' expieriences were.

i JUST finished this class, im going to be a senior but the class is offered like every 4 years just cuz they dont get many kids who wanna take it(small school). um, if you havent a clue about anything to do with music theory, you will be fine, dont worry about it.

first yourr start off very basic...like learning the note names and where they fall on the staff and learning note values and BASIC BASIC rhythm stuff.
then your learn the major scale
youll learn about the circle of fifths and what sharps and flats are and how to use them to create different scales(ex. G maj scale has one sharp, F)
next youll learn the intervals, p1 M2 M3 p4 p5 M6 M7 p8, youll learn how to tell them apart both on paper and by hearing them.
you will then learn the natrual minor, melodic minor, and harmonic monor scales and the minor intervals,
youll learn about triads and how to tell them apart on paper and by ear.
you will learn 4 part harmonies, and how to harmonize a melody, and how to use smooth voice leading.
im running out of brain power, thats about all i remember, we didnt get as far as we should have cuz our teacher was gone for a month and a half, so you will probably learn some stuff that i havent mentioned.

that was my school at least, but im sure yours will be similar.

thebassclef · #11 08-11-2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatguy5623

Will I need to be well versed in all of those? I should probably get started if I do. Where would I start to learn those clefs?

I've been using this site to learn to read the bass clef. It also has trainers for all the other clefs and has alot of information on theory.

http://www.musictheory.net/index.html

SilverTurtle · #12 08-12-2006, 08:42 PM

My HS theory class was great. Our band director offered it every few years when he had enough students interested, so I took it (theory "I" and "II") my senior year. It was really thorough and he pushed us.

When I majored in music in college and I had already covered everything from my HS classes until 1/2 way through my THIRD semester (out of 4 total) of theory.

My HS theory didn't focus much on ear training, and we did NO singing/sight singing, so I was behind in that aspect in college.

Anyways, my point is it will vary by teacher and students, and can have a variety of focus, and it might be quite hard.

It will be a great background for you, though.