I'm so lost...

Ye_olde_dragon · #1 12-10-2006, 09:45 PM

I've posted this question in a couple of other threads but I haven't got quite the answer I'm seeking yet, so for all you theory guys out there....

Where do you start learning this stuff? I'm not a beginner to bass but I know nothing of musical theory outside of the major and minor scales. Now pretend I'm a complete babbling moron here (which isn't terribly far off). Where would a complete babbling moron begin to learn musical theory?

I know that lessons would be the best way to go, and I intend to do that very thing when I have the money, but I don't at the moment, so that leaves me teaching myself with help from you guys.

So what should I learn first? What's the first thing your instructors taught you? I have read through the lesson on this site on scale/chord theory and I understand it, but where do I go from here? Should memorize every single note in every scale in every key? Does it matter?

I'm completely lost here and I welcome any and all help. Links to sites, or recommended books, ideas of what to look for and learn, anything. Just please keep that babbling moron bit in mind.

Thanks all!

scottice · #2 12-10-2006, 09:49 PM

I am new to Bass as well as to theory. I think it will be important in the future to know how to read. I purchased a book called The Everything Reading Music Book by Marc Schonbrun (ISBN 1-59337-324-4) and try to read a bit every day (it's by the toilet LOL). Good luck!

Ye_olde_dragon · #3 12-10-2006, 10:02 PM

It's good that you're learning the theory as you're learning the instrument. I wish I would've done that. So is the book any good?

I'm trying to learn to read music with a mel bay book, but unfortunately reading music is all that it teaches. No theory.

Good luck to you too, bro.

scottice · #4 12-10-2006, 10:14 PM

So far it'a an easy read and easy to understand... by that I mean it is written simply and explains everything clearly. Kinda' like the "Dummies" books.
I did a bunch of research on what books were available and this one seemed to be the clear winner from the responses on Amazon. It has a CD as well, but I have yet to pop it in and check that out. The book is 277 pages and $19.95 so I think it is well worth the investment.

Ye_olde_dragon · #5 12-10-2006, 10:20 PM

Cool, I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the info.

u2Fletch · #6 12-10-2006, 10:25 PM

I highly recommend Norm Stockton's "Grooving to Heaven" DVD series volume 1 and 2. Or you can take the online class version at www.musicdojo.com. The online class is nice 'cause it kind of motivates you to keep working daily to keep up with the material.

Good luck!

Jeff

Arizona Jones · #7 12-10-2006, 10:27 PM

Check out Wheat's Bass Book - it's free online.

http://www.wheatdesign.com/bassbook/...hp?chapter=012

Start messing around with the Minor Pentatonic Scales -

http://www.wheatdesign.com/bassbook/...hp?chapter=009

And start trying to figure out the circle of fifths!

Ye_olde_dragon · #8 12-10-2006, 10:31 PM

u2fletch - The online class is a great idea. I'll have to check that out.

Arizona Jones - Thanks, that's great information. I definitely like the price of Wheat's book. What exactly is the circle of fiths anyway?? I looked it up on wikipedia and saw the image, but I don't understand how it's supposed to be used, at all.

ryco · #9 12-10-2006, 10:35 PM

You might want to check out this Aebersold book. Pretty complete basic theory stuff and ideas.

http://aebersold.com/Merchant2/merch...ry_Code=AEBGRE

Wish ta hell he just woulda called it "How to Play MUSIC and Improvise"

Nope, I don't work for the guy

tjh · #10 12-10-2006, 10:39 PM

If I may suggest a couple that you somewhat eluded to, and may be a good starting point ... Bass Guitar for Dummies ... and The Complete Idiots Guide to Bass Guitar ... both cheap on ebay, and unfortunately, I relate to both, very well ...

scottice · #11 12-10-2006, 10:42 PM

I bought the Idiot's Guide over the Dummies book based on feedback on Amazon. Both are probably great... and similar.

Arizona Jones · #12 12-10-2006, 10:45 PM

"I know nothing of musical theory outside of the major and minor scales" - Ye olde dragon

Is this true? Do you know some major and minor scales and patterns? If so, we are in good shape.

The Circle of Fifths has to do with musical keys. What do you know about keys?

"I looked it up on wikipedia"

Good. I've done a lot of that myself. I wouldn't go out and spend a bunch of money of books and video until you have used up the free online resources.

Ye_olde_dragon · #13 12-10-2006, 10:48 PM

ryco - looks like a good book, thanks!

tjh - Does it cover basic theory pretty well? I'm not new to the instrument so I don't really need basic technique instruction, just a start into music theory in general (though, of course, theory geared towards bass would be better). I'll have to check it out, thanks!

scottice - You're probably right that either would be just as good as the other.

Ye_olde_dragon · #14 12-10-2006, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arizona Jones

"I know nothing of musical theory outside of the major and minor scales" - Ye olde dragon

Is this true? Do you know some major and minor scales and patterns? If so, we are in good shape.

The Circle of Fifths has to do with musical keys. What do you know about keys?

"I looked it up on wikipedia"

Good. I've done a lot of that myself. I wouldn't go out and spend a bunch of money of books and video until you have used up the free online resources.

re: Major and minor scales, yes I can play both as patterns. I haven't memorised the notes in every key, but I could figure them out if I looked at the fretboard. I also know the pattern for the major and minor pentatonic scales, and the (or a, not sure if there's more than one) blues scale. I sort of understand what modes are. Kind of, in a roundabout way. I know how to make a triad using the third and fifth of those scales. That pretty much sums up my knowledge of the theory at this point.

Beyond saying "This in a major scale in the key of C" I know nothing about keys whatsoever.

Wikipedia and google are my best friends. I have to admit though, the wikipedia explanation of the circle of fifths was over my head. I didn't really understand it.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Arizona Jones · #15 12-10-2006, 11:05 PM

"Thanks for taking the time to respond!"

Well, I'm just sitting here playing bass, and I need to take a break once in a while. ;^)

Be happy! If you have a good handle on Major and Minor patterns, pentatonic, and a base understanding of Modes then all you need is to have a "break through" that will give you a good, basic understanding of theory.

ryco · #16 12-10-2006, 11:08 PM

a free online theory resource

http://www.teoria.com/

Enjoy!

Ye_olde_dragon · #17 12-10-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arizona Jones

"Thanks for taking the time to respond!"

Well, I'm just sitting here playing bass, and I need to take a break once in a while. ;^)

Me too. Should probably go to bed, but, meh, I don't sleep much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arizona Jones

Be happy! If you have a good handle on Major and Minor patterns, pentatonic, and a base understanding of Modes then all you need is to have a "break through" that will give you a good, basic understanding of theory.

Lol, then why do I feel so completly lost when people start talking about it? Especially jazz theory, geez. And chord progressions. And when people write something like
this --> CMaj13 or Em7b9

What the bloody hell is a C Major 13?

Anyway, thanks for your help, man.

Ye_olde_dragon · #18 12-10-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryco

a free online theory resource

http://www.teoria.com/

Enjoy!

That looks awesome, thanks!

scottice · #19 12-10-2006, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryco

a free online theory resource

http://www.teoria.com/

Enjoy!

Nice site, thanks!

Arizona Jones · #20 12-10-2006, 11:20 PM

Are you a jazzer or a rocker?

Do you know what a 1-4-5 or I-IV-V is?

"What the bloody hell is a C Major 13?"

You're about to find out! I believe it is the 6th of a scale raised to the next higher octave!