Music Theory: Does it require a lot of smarts?

[Icculus]

I thought about this earlier...

I feel like I've hit a mental wall with music theory and can't get over it. Anything I've learned, I feel just doesn't click. Sadly, I don't know much.

I'm not tuting my own horn here, but I consider myself to be a reasonably intelligent person. I have two college degrees. I've aced two organic chemistry courses, a ton of physics courses, several biology courses, calculus, you name it...

WHY THE HELL CAN'T I UNDERSTAND MUSIC THEORY?

[Kobaia]

sometimes you just need someone to break it down to you.

[Rockmusician]

It doesn't require a lot of smarts. I have an IQ of 147, have 32 years experience and can't figure it out. I have tried to learn it several times but struggle with it. I know musicians who are not very bright and understand it quite well. For some reason, I have never been able to grasp it or been able to read music.

[60jbass91]

Mate I will tell you from the bottom of my heart... your just not cut out for it.

Im only joking pal

I really struggled with theory but now I do about an hour a day I find it fine, I can sight read and have a good knowledge of chords/scales/modes and what have you.

Im currently doing a degree at a respectable university, and I still find music theory hard to get my head round.

I find the best way is to look at it, read it a few times, play it, then jam with it in a band situation.

For example I never really understood what C harmonic minor sounded like untill I threw it into a band jam that was in G major, you just need to try it, and 9 out of 10 times, the guys with the band will understand your just having a sneaky bash at something new that will benefit you and the band.

hope this helps pal

[Stumbo]

Here are some links to check out:
~Newbie Theory
What's "Theory"?
Intro to Theory website-easy to follow
Easy understanding of chords
Music Theory for Practical People book
Online Visual Beginning Theory, ear trainer

Beginner's Bass Clef tips
"Name that note" online SN game
Downloadable read "bass clef" software
Online bass clef audio/visual trainer
print bass clef flashcards/staff paper

~Newbie Rhythm
1 Learn rhythm
2

More stuff in my sig. below.


It takes time and perseverance to get theory/sight reading, etc. down. It needs daily practice and study. It's an ongoing learning process so I suggest a lot of patience. Enjoy the process. Skill comes with time not wishing.

Good luck.

[60jbass91]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

It takes time and perseverance to get theory/sight reading, etc. down. It needs daily practice and study. It's an ongoing learning process so I suggest a lot of patience. Enjoy the process. Skill comes with time not wishing.

Good luck.

Couldnt have said it better mate

[sps500]

You need 3 E's.... Effort , Effort and Effort!

[plangentmusic]

Here's a secret...

If you can play a major scale, you know theory.

Start a major scale on the second tone to second tone i.e in the key of "C" go D to D with the notes of a C major scale. That's a mode. The chord of that mode is Dm.

Then do the E to E . And so on.

Do that with every step.

A total of 8.

You'll then realize how everything is related.

The rest is just learning the terms.

[ErikP.Bass]

Try getting a keyboard. Somehow it helps make sense of it all....only 12 notes. Start small and as said here be patient. Find a teacher and do a little each day. If I can get it, anyone can.

[mambo4]

Theory takes more intelligence to explain than to "get", IMHO.

and it comes in bits and pieces
"oh i get it"....three months later "oh I get that..."
three years later "oh yeah, it's that thing..."
but each light bulb adds to the previous....

[Mazatleco17]

Originally Posted by ErikP.Bass

Try getting a keyboard. Somehow it helps make sense of it all....only 12 notes. Start small and as said here be patient. Find a teacher and do a little each day. If I can get it, anyone can.

Without trying to hijack this thread, does any of you play the keyboard? I've been meaning to buy a basic entry level keyboard, any recommendations?

[Stumbo]

[OT]

Originally Posted by Mazatleco17

Without trying to hijack this thread, does any of you play the keyboard? I've been meaning to buy a basic entry level keyboard, any recommendations?

Here's a link to another TB thread on the topic:
Buying/learning/playing keyboards

I have a Casio CT510 that I bought about 20 years ago for $100. 12 keyboard sounds, drum machine, auto chords, 4 octaves. Good enough for the basics.

Sam's Club has a $200 and $130 Yamaha keyboards for sale:

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/pr...564&navAction=

$200

# 76 Piano-Stule keys with Graded SoftTouch(GST) action
# Backlit LCD panels lights
# Pitch Bend Wheel
# 6-track sequencer allows you to record your own music
# Portable Grand button: Industry's best piano
# USB & Flash ROM to download new songs and styles for playing
# Yamaha XGlite/GM voices plus sweet, cool, split & dual voice
# 5 types preset Master EQ
# Peformance Assistant gurantees a rewarding music experience I
# nteractive Lessons: "your tempo" mode helps you learn to play
# Music database 300 keyboard setups by song title
# Model: DGX230MS
# Adaptor and XX Keyboard Stand
# AC Power Adaptor(included) or can use 6 AA batteries (batteries not included)-

[Mazatleco17]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

[OT]


Here's a link......

Thanks for the link.

[Chris K]

I'd combine using a keyboard with reading. Written music will visualize theory.

[agreatheight]

Practice, and give it time.

[dmrogers]

Originally Posted by mambo4

Theory takes more intelligence to explain than to "get", IMHO.

It comes in bits and pieces....

"oh i get it"....three months later "oh I get that..."
three years later "oh yeah, it's that thing..."
but each light bulb adds to the previous....

I agree with the above statement, especially if you have a busy schedule and can't lock yourself in a room for days on end.

After several years of not touching an instrument, I decided to pick it up again, however this time I was determined to study theory more seriously.

You start with the basics and keep it up until the light comes on. Then you build on that.

What I didn't know was, I was learning a ton of theory before I actually focused on it. I just didn't know the terminology.

Personally, I think the foundation for learning theory is to understand:

1. Chord structure.
2. Key structure.
3. Basic Scales.

The above is, of course, after you learn the notes of the fretboard.

I started on guitar and started by learning chords, how to construct a minor, etc.... I also learned, for the most part, which chords were in a particular key.

It just takes time.

[Jazz Ad]

Advanced harmony can be super tricky but the basics, what you need everyday to function as a bass player, this is really simple.
Chords, keys, scales, it should all make sense very quickly.
People see it as difficult most of the time because they're afraid of it or won't bother paying a teacher.

[MaKo Music]

I think having a good teacher help can be really helpful. Sometimes if you don't know where to start it can be overwhelming.

[ErikP.Bass]

Originally Posted by Chris K

I'd combine using a keyboard with reading. Written music will visualize theory.

+1 on this....not sure how I left out using looking at written music. Another thing is to tackle rhythm and pitch separately....and if you do try to learn some basic piano start by learning each hand separately.

[MalcolmAmos]

Is it X/Y or Y/X? You had to get that straight first, remember........ Music theory is best learned in steps. Post # 2 of the following starts with the Major scale, because everything we do starts with the Major scale. The paper then moves forward in 6 steps. Melody being the 6th step. If you start with melody you need the "stuff" in step 1 - 5 first to understand what is going on. Not building a firm foundation is IMO the reason we have trouble with music theory.
http://www.ibreathemusic.com/forums/...ad.php?t=11975

Good luck, have fun.