Theory is good.

[DocBop]

I read so many young player say they don't study Theory because it will "ruin their playing". That is such B.S.! Theory should be looked at as a bunch of rules to follow, it is things that have worked for years that people tend to do. More important studying theory is a source of ideas to help expand your playing.

I saw in another thread some interview videos of Flea showing his bassline from his latest CD. Check the lines out, then a short interview about the band. In that interview he is asked about using more double-stops (chords) in his bass lines. Comes out he been studying theory and applying it. Perfect example of study theory should be a source of new idea, not rules to follow that will change your playing. Here' the link over to Bass Player TV.

http://bassplayer.tv/index.html?req=...yer/flea/flea2

[ninefingerbass]

I believe theory is awesome as well. I've been a bassist for ten years and learned more and more over the past few years. To have someone say that it sill stipen there playing yes it might as far as you could think about it too much and as we say in the Navy "nuke" the hell out of it. With theory you have to apply yourself to understand the basics, then unconciously use that knowledge once you, without sound redundant, understand it. There are so many bassist that try to be good and some do make it without theory but more better skill themselves with it. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones played a show with Keller Williams and ask him to jam together. They needed to simplify the jam so he could play along. In his website he says he knows no theory. I am one for theory and not just in music, in life.

[AmazingGracePlayer]

It is useful

[scottice]

I think that view is pretty ignorant. I think theory is essential for my learning.

I bought a big book of Staff papers and after each lesson with my instructor I go home and transcribe what I learned in standard notation as well as TAB and then use this to practice over and over. Along with singing the notes at the same time as playing them I hope to learn theory at the same time as learning to play. It's working OK so far.

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I don't get the position that learning theary will ruin someone's playing. Gaining more knowledge about any particular subject can only be a good thing (reading, theory, etc...). This is the talk of lazy poeple.

[rockwarnick]

I am in my fourth semester of theory and I have learned many important things about music that I never new before. however, I do not believe it should be viewed as rules. clearly. it is in the name, it's a theory. I asked my teachers what theory is and (i hope no one attacks me for this) they said its basically an interpretation of how the great classical composers created music. And though this may not be the case for everyone, I recently realized that my improv and free form playing has dissipated. I basically had to re-teach myself how to play like ME again. I was self-taught to begin with.
So basically, how I see it, learning from books, words, fellow musicians and teachers is very important but in the process, don't forget how to just play like yourself. Theory should be learned and used as a tool just like various playing techniques. And I believe it is very important and useful for composition, obviously.
I feel that somewhere down the line you will be able to hear who sounds like they are playing out of a book rather than just feeling the music. Just don't think too hard.

"Don't think, just react. When you think, you hurt the team."

[markjazzbassist]

i don't think theory is bad but it never really sticks with me. i've been playing by ear for 8 years now and have gotten along pretty well. i took 2 different theory courses at a University and it was like a foreign language to me. I tried to get it and understand it and apply it, and it just didn't happen.

I don't dislike theory, i just don't use it. I know basic stuff, like the names of notes and a major/minor scale, and i know what a root, third, fifth, and octave are. but other than that, chord progressions and inversions and all that, nada.

[cowsgomoo]

this topic was done pretty thoroughly very recently in this forum... maybe we can discuss not only "Theory is good" but also "the Search function is good"

Too much practice?

it's a good discussion to have but I don't feel like saying the exact same thing I said less than a week ago

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by cowsgomoo

this topic was done pretty thoroughly very recently in this forum... maybe we can discuss not only "Theory is good" but also "the Search function is good"

Too much practice?

it's a good discussion to have but I don't feel like saying the exact same thing I said less than a week ago

I know what your are saying, but so many posts pop up with mainly Rockers using the old wives tale that learning theory will ruin them. I thought hearing one of their hero's like Flea mention he been studying and using it in his playing would help stop some of that B.S. Probably should of used a title like "Theory won't rot your Rock" or similar eye catcher.

[Mark Perry]

I've always thought of music as a language, ie learning to make music is exactly like learning to speak for the first time. I'm not a big fan of the word "theory", because most of it (at least diatonic vs. chromatic notes, modes, how all the different notes are related etc.) becomes just as intuitive once you've studied it and can apply it, as making conversation.
Learn your: Major/minor scales, modes, arpeggios/chords, chromatic scales fluently and use them as the foundation (just like letters, words, sentences etc.) Then jam without these things in your mind, trusting your ear (ie using things that shouldn't work but do). The things you've practiced will come out naturally as you play.
That sums up my lifes aim as a bassist/musician

[saxabass]

Theory opens up so much to any instrumentalist. Instead of just memorizing things like scales, patterns, and chords, you understand the mechanics behind them so that you can use them in improvisational settings.

And tab sucks. Stay away from it. I learned the hard way

[tbone409]

Learn your: Major/minor scales, modes, arpeggios/chords, chromatic scales fluently and use them as the foundation (just like letters, words, sentences etc.) Then jam without these things in your mind, trusting your ear (ie using things that shouldn't work but do). The things you've practiced will come out naturally as you play.

+1
i've been playing bass for less than a year, but i have been playing trombone for 6, i am well versed in music theory, i always like to think about how a song relates to scales, modes, arpegios, after i play it

[Floating teetH]

I don't think theory directly leads to problems, but it often leads to jazz snobbery, which almost always leads to corruption of intention.

Ever have to suffer through a soloist who can't help but play chromatic passing notes at every possible opportunity? There are few things worse.

[NKUSigEp]

I don't think of it as rules that should be followed or guidelines even, but knowing a little bit about theory will give you a good idea of what needs to be played when and where and also how it should be played. It's the difference between a mediocre bassline and a totally awesome bassline.

[cowsgomoo]

Originally Posted by DocBop

I know what your are saying, but so many posts pop up with mainly Rockers using the old wives tale that learning theory will ruin them. I thought hearing one of their hero's like Flea mention he been studying and using it in his playing would help stop some of that B.S. Probably should of used a title like "Theory won't rot your Rock" or similar eye catcher.

I spose I was being a bit grouchy

[Earwaxsculptor]

Originally Posted by DocBop

I thought hearing one of their hero's like Flea mention he been studying and using it in his playing would help stop some of that B.S. Probably should of used a title like "Theory won't rot your Rock" or similar eye catcher.

We may have just found out why the RHCP suck now................ Im just kidding about saying theory will ruin you, about the RHCP......not so much.