learning theory

[ishalleatyou]

ive been playing for about a year and ive all ive been playing is basically tabs and stuff like that
i recently decided (in a music lesson at school, where we were inventing just not doing much and i managed to nick the school bass guitar, i realised how far behind just in music generalyl i was compared to some people) that i should start learning theory

my thoughts have mainly been will i stop enjoy playing if i do begin to learn theory?
it just seems like a such a hug thing to tackle so yeah, any advice???
i mean i dont want to start learning music theory for bass and then just not enjoy playing because im thinking too much

[Mixoux]

You're right in that it can be a huge thing to tackle (especially if you're learning from the basics), but I doubt it will make you any less enthusiastic in playing. If anything, you'll be thinking less when you play because it'll just come more naturally, knowing more about what you can do and construct and depending on what you're trying to accomplish.

I've been primarily a brass instrument player for several years (Trumpet for 7 years, Trombone for 2) so I knew a good deal of general music theory, but for the longest time I never even bothered to learn basic scales on bass guitar. This made it MUCH more difficult to simply jam with friends since I was limited in what tabs I had memorized, as opposed to being able to pick a key and go from there. And since 99% of music for bass is establishing the foundation of the harmony, it can really slow you down not knowing what you're playing or what the chords are.

I actually found myself playing bass more after learning more specialized theory for it. It's so much easier to just doodle around when you know what you want to play and exactly how to play it.

[bassbully]

I strongly disagree with a new player developing basic playing skills to try to tackle theory with it. There is enough to learn with hand positioning, freting skills,righ hand tech, learning scales the fretboard and basicly playing and getting the fingers moving to keep most people interested and moving along. Theory is the bookwork. It is boring most of the time and frustrating making bass playing not so fun and time away from basic skills. IMO get the basics down first , work on your ear and when its there and you need to put it all togehter or ask questions you havnt seen basic playing give you then move to theory.

Alot of beginners and young players walk away from guitar ,bass etc cuz a teacher puts music notation and theory into their lap the first day to month of lessons...put the dang guitar in their hands hook em first then if they exceed ad theory. I know this might tick some off on here...who care's cuz if you teach this way you are guilty too. Basics first..theory latter if you need and want it that is.

[EADG mx]

I found I enjoyed play more after starting to learn theory

then i actually knew what I was doing, could analyze while I was playing, could learn faster, improvise better.. need I go on?

[steve66]

Originally Posted by EADG mx

I found I enjoyed play more after starting to learn theory

then i actually knew what I was doing, could analyze while I was playing, could learn faster, improvise better.. need I go on?

+1

Its like anything else in the world. Knowledge is king.

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by bassbully

I strongly disagree with a new player developing basic playing skills to try to tackle theory with it. There is enough to learn with hand positioning, freting skills,righ hand tech, learning scales the fretboard and basicly playing and getting the fingers moving to keep most people interested and moving along. Theory is the bookwork. It is boring most of the time and frustrating making bass playing not so fun and time away from basic skills. IMO get the basics down first , work on your ear and when its there and you need to put it all togehter or ask questions you havnt seen basic playing give you then move to theory.

Alot of beginners and young players walk away from guitar ,bass etc cuz a teacher puts music notation and theory into their lap the first day to month of lessons...put the dang guitar in their hands hook em first then if they exceed ad theory. I know this might tick some off on here...who care's cuz if you teach this way you are guilty too. Basics first..theory latter if you need and want it that is.

I see it this way. If young players or players in general want to avoid theory, that is all well and good. If they want to be a serious musician and be able to work in as many environments as possible and be versatile, creative musicians, then they need to learn some theory. If people are put off by theory it means one thing, that they aren't really all that serious about what they are doing, which is ok, there is nothing wrong with being an amature.

As a teacher I don't feel at all guilty for making my students learn theory. I have seen the results of what I teach. Theory is NOT bookwork. It is a practical way of learning a language to put ideas and concepts into context and it is DIRECTLY applicable to all aspects of playing a bass, technical and theoretical. The basics of playing, left and right hand technique are covered by learning theoretical concepts and applying them to practical playing. There is really no other way to teach as far as I am concerned.

[Junkbass]

Originally Posted by bassbully

Theory is the bookwork. It is boring most of the time and frustrating making bass playing not so fun and time away from basic skills.

I myself have always enjoyed reading up on theory and never found it boring.

After learning something new i've always come away from it excited to see how it will affect my playing, and feeling that I've gained new insight into bass playing and even music in general.

I've always wished that I was introduced to it earliar on in my playing.

[No4PCs]

Hey friend, it´s very important know the chords structures, i mean, how the harmony is constructed, because then, you will be able to jazz over the harmonies you playing with more reason and knowledgement!

[Marcury]

I went to music school after college and it really stopped my enjoying playing music for awhile, but that was more because I didn't apply myself enough in classes to master the material (particularly solfege). Having said that once I got back into it I found that knowing theory and being able to apply it to my playing not only made me a better player but made it more fun.