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How to learn theory

H

HEK

Jan 28, 2010
6
0
#1
Mostly, how to start?
I'm mostly self-taught and all I know about music is the stuff so basic that you need it to play in the first places--scales, how to sort of read music, though I still have trouble with that--and I'd really like to learn, well, ANYTHING. Any websites or books you'd recommend for someone like me?
 
#3
Everything starts with the major scale. I'm attaching a string I made for new 6 string guitar newbies. Theory is theory. The charts show 6 string stuff, ignore the top two strings and it works with our 4 string bass.

IMO Theory is best learned in a specific order. This information is based upon that order.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The articles on that site have some very good information. Be forewarned most of the articles take for granted you already understand the basics of music theory.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Good luck.
 
#4
I'm pasting in the long post I've used several times for this question. The original format and idea came from TB member mambo4.

Do this IN THIS ORDER, and you'll actually learn and know how to play music on the bass.

John
---------------------------------------
THEORY PROGRESSION
---------------------------------------
Theory can seem like a quagmire to those who are starting out, and it's often difficult to know just how important a particular aspect of it is. I will say that learning how chords are built from scales is the most important aspect of theory. It is far more useful to understand chord construction than to memorize all those "Scales A and B go with chord X" formulas.

I'd say the logical progression learning music theory is this:

1.) Learn the major scale, and how it's constructed
2.) Learn how basic chords are built from the major scale- e.g Major is 1,3,5, minor is 1,b3, 5, etc.
3.) Learn how to harmonize the notes of any diatonic major scale by building chords / stacking thirds.
4.) Learn arppegios/chord tones
5.) Learn to look at common chord progressions as "numerals" (eg, I-IV-V ect) to understand how the chords relate to the song's key.
6.) Learn the Natural Minor scale (a/k/a Aeolian mode) and the dominant scale (a/k/a Mixolydian); And learn how these relate to the major scale (i.e.; its the V and vi mode)
7.) Understand how other 4 modes of the major scale are derived (less important to memorize these other modes at first)
8.) Dive back into modes for more detailed ideas about what "goes" with what chord.

Bass playing is basically a matter of knowing what to play over various chords. It may seem daunting at first, but my practical experience (bass in pop/rock) has been that I mostly use Major, Minor, and Dominant 7 related bassline patterns, usually based on chord tones and pentatonics. Even if you're playing some guitar oriented riff-rock, each riff is going to imply a chord of some kind.

"BUT HOW DO I APPLY THIS THEORY TO MY PLAYING?"
85%+ of the time, you will be going from root note to root note as the chords change. The trick is learning how to do it with a groove and feel that is stylistically appropriate to the song. The best way to reach stylistic understanding is to learn songs you like and pick them apart to see how the bassline relates to the chords. I cannot emphasize this idea enough: The answer to this common question is to LEARN AND ANALYZE BASS LINES BY THE MASTERS. Once you undertand what Jamerson (for example) did with a particular set of changes, these ideas become added to your tool set, to use, change, blend and create your own voice.
 
#5
This is a great way to start.
It might seem a bit complicated, but even after playing for 20 years, I still need to work on this stuff, and Pacman really posted a great way to learn what scales sound like, and how to use them.
I could go on and on about what this lesson (posted as a sticky in this thread, btw) will teach you, but you really need to be patient, and if work on this everyday for at least an hour straight, it will become intuitive sooner than you think.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50170
 
#7
dalconthenovice said:
i .... don't know what this means... or what to do to do this...
Click to expand...

Ignore it. It's way ahead of you.

These posts are just the usual B-52's that somehow have to fly in whenever somebody asks: how should I learn theory?

Most of what is written above is highly important for advanced players, but way ahead of you.

In your first post, you wrote about 'sort of learning to read music'. My strong advice is to take time to learn both to read and to play from music notation, as all music theory is based on notated music. You'll learn theory both faster and better.

Secondly, never forget that in your development, practical skills are in the lead, and theory is best learned and remembered when approached from practical problems, used to analyse those problems, and put into practice right away.
Most certainly you will soon run into the aspects mentioned by Malcom and John. Scales are pretty inevitable.

Thirdly, next to playing and theory, HEARING is to be developed. Intervals and simple rhythms will be your first goals.

Good luck!
.
 
#8
dalconthenovice said:
i .... don't know what this means... or what to do to do this...
Click to expand...

That's why it's #3. You've gotta OWN the first two before this one makes any sense. And "knowing" a scale is so much more than being able to play it over two octaves. In fact, the physical act of being able to execute any scale, arpeggio, etc. is the least important part of "knowing" the scale. You need to know how it's built, you need to be able to figure out the notes in any key (without the aid of the instrument- do it in your head, or at least on paper), and you need to know how it sounds.

After you have the first two down, then search for information on learning to harmonize. But do it in steps. That post is labeled "Theory Progression" because I believe that it takes an organized and step-by-step approach to LEARN this stuff in a way that's musically useful. So, in a way I agree with Chris K. I won't say "ingore it", but I will say "ignore it for now". You asked for how do I learn theory, I say this is a plan that gives you what you need to know to learn theory.

However, theory ain't the same as learning to make music. So, I'll reiterate the single most important thing I've learned. Sing everything you play. When you're doing exercises, scales, arpeggios, etc. don't just wiggle your fingers learning to execute patterns. SING them. You need to know what the next note is going to sound like before you play it. You need to HEAR the music (whether it's a scale, arpeggio, the line to "My Girl" or the line to "Get The Funk Outta My Face") before your fingers get there. Theory is only part of this- it's like growing grapes. Theory is the trellis that supports the vine, physical skills are the vine, but the music, that's the grape, and that's the ultimate goal. A great trellis with a healthy vine is useless if it ain't making grapes.

And while it's possible to have great grapes without the trellis and without a wonderful vine, the trellis and vine help you ensure a good grape.

John
 
#10
Consider taking a music theory course at a community college,

It's very helpful having an instructor and a class setting where examples and group discussions take place. People will ask questions you haven't thought to ask, or will have answers to your specific questions - or you may be able to help someone else who isn't grasping something you have comprehended.

It's very helpful going through a text with homework assignments where everyday you build on previous knowledge. Also daily ear training, solfege exercises, transcription and analysis assignments.
Consider also taking a beginning piano class as well as most theory information is applied to keyboard examples.

You could buy a used college theory book, like Piston's "Harmony", and study it yourself on your own - actually doing the assignment/questions at the end of each chapter. But it's more fun and easier in a class setting where you can have information clarified if your having trouble.

My 2¢
 
#12
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#15
I'm self taught, as well. I've been playing for 20 yrs. now and should know much more than I do. (I should be a much better player,too!)

I began teaching at music academy a couple of years ago. The primary teacher (who has a M.A. in Jazz Performance) had more students than he could handle. I was a bit intimidated, because I am no master of theory. I found some concepts very difficult to explain. I wasn't much of a sight-reader, yet I was teaching standard notation.

I thought a lot about it and came to the conclusion that it's much easier to learn theory if you use a keyboard or piano, in addition to your bass.

Certain things will begin to make sense that might have seemed unfathomable when you're only looking at the fretboard.
For example, seeing how the keyboard is laid out will help you understand sharps and flats, and by extension, key signatures.

Modes will be easier to grasp on the keyboard, as well.

The reason is that standard notation was developed around the keyboard layout. It's a way to visually display all of the notes of a piano (88 keys.)
If standard notation had been developed around a bass guitar fretboard, it would be completely different. (Maybe more like tablature?!)
If you start with the C major scale on a piano (all white keys) and relate the notes to your bass, I'll bet that things will start to click as you see how scales and chords are built.

I hope that this helps. I've been meaning to put together a course for people who have been playing for some time, but want to learn all of the stuff that we feel like we should already know. The links that other people here have listed are all good, especially if you use the keyboard for visualization. I suppose that what I'm getting at is that, by using a keyboard, you can understand more of the "why" of theory, as opposed to the "what." That is, instead of simply memorizing some arbitrary scale pattern without context, you can actually see how things fit together.


You don't need to spend much on one, either. Keep your eyes open at the Goodwill store. Actually, you could just make yourself a diagram of a keyboard layout (say, two octaves, or so.) Good luck.
 

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