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My inability to keep studying theory...

#21
It sound like life's other priorities and work pressures are taking all your time and energy right now, I know how that can drain all the color from your life and it all seems to become just a matter of survival from day to day. If that's where you are right now, maybe striping your musical life back to playing what gives you some degree of enjoyment and forgetting about theory for a while, might be the way to go.

As others have already said, music existed before theory and many innovative and admired musicians knew, or know, no music theory, or little.

Theory can wait, if where your life is at doesn't allow time for it right now, but please take care of yourself along the way.
 
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#22
Does your job require strict mental focus, or do you spend time day dreaming while you slave away at menial tasks. If it's the latter, then you may have time to study theory and practice on the job. Of course everything you do will have to be in your head, so it will be a bit different than working things out on paper. You may also be able to practice your instrument and various forms of ear training if you can open your mind to creative solutions.

Now if your job does require strict mental focus, then my suggestion holds no value. Definitely do not engage in distracting mental processes that will degrade personal safety or put others at risk.
 
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#24
Thanks everyone.

So many good replies and some missed marks but nonetheless, thank you.

Tldr yes at what I do for a living there is not much time for "slaving away", being unfocused could actually cause someone harm, so yeah.

The best time for me to read up and commit things to memory is during commute so ill keep doing that.

As to musical knowledge itself I just thought it wouldn'thurt to actually know what's behind the music, why it works.

Kinda like as if I were a chef and I made a meal. I don't just want to follow a recipe, I want to know why these flavour work or don't.

I might reply later or tomorrow to posts individually :)
 
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#25
Katoosie said:
Thanks everyone.

So many good replies and some missed marks but nonetheless, thank you.

Tldr yes at what I do for a living there is not much time for "slaving away", being unfocused could actually cause someone harm, so yeah.

The best time for me to read up and commit things to memory is during commute so ill keep doing that.

As to musical knowledge itself I just thought it wouldn'thurt to actually know what's behind the music, why it works.

Kinda like as if I were a chef and I made a meal. I don't just want to follow a recipe, I want to know why these flavour work or don't.

I might reply later or tomorrow to posts individually :)
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Do you have any interest (even just a little) in jazz? Because learning some jazz is, I think, the easiest way to connect with theory in a useful way.
 
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#27
Katoosie said:
Hi.

So this is a bit of a different (?) thread here on TB, feel free to skip this one if you don't feel like reading a personal post and you don't have the time to dive a bit deeper into this.

So I have made a post before about my progress after a year of playing bass. Lo' and behold, here I am with a bass, an amp, an interface and a second bass on the way! Yay!

Right? Sort of, yes.

What I am struggling with here is my disinterest in learning music theory. I don't seem to be capable of actually focusing enough to gather enough energy and willingness to sit down and actually study... I'm just too tired most of the time. I work quite a lot, sometimes it's quite demanding and often long without much sleep during tougher days so when I come back from work, after doing all the shopping and cleaning and whatever else, I just... I'm done.

I'm either falling asleep or don't have the energy to pick up a book or material and start studying. I mean, at least I pick up the bass for 30 min to an hour, sometimes more and I practice and try to play to songs/improvise but I just wanna sleep and/or relax instead.

I have read posts here on TB about people saying something akin to 'I don't even play bass when I'm tired' or 'No playing for me when I have a headache' and so on so I think it's not unreasonable to not want to study/practice after working for 24hrs or 12hrs or whatever, I just...

I just kind of feel guilty and I don't really have anyone to talk to about this so I thought I would post here, maybe some people would have some ideas and insights to share as it's always fascinating to read what others have done in a similar situation.

I've been studying theory on my own before quite diligently, usually a lesson a day with practice afterwards but ever since then quite a few things have changed in life. I have started working somewhere else and a bunch of other things have come and gone and I haven't really picked up theory in a month, maybe 2? I just don't feel any drive whatsoever to study theory, actually the thought of it seems daunting and boring. I would rather rest and do something else with my time, even if it's "not as productive".

Maybe it's just my mental health, I don't know. I don't even listen to music anymore so it just seems kind of silly that I would be studying music theory and try to learn the language of music while on a day-to-day basis I don't really have much to do with music at all. I'm just busy and/or tired. The only time I actually have anything to do with music in my life is when I read about gear here or when I actually sit down to play my bass.

Oh this is so ridiculous. I don't even know what I'm asking, I think I'm just venting about music because all this time I haven't studied any theory beyond watching videos from talkingbass.net and others.

If you have any tips about theory or any good resources, just let me know, okay? Thanks a lot everyone. Honestly, I will take any tips and pointers at this point.
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As far as tips my advice is to spend what time you do have to play focusing on learning the fingerboard. By that I mean basic things like knowing what notes are where. Then you can listen/watch videos on theory when you’re not playing. Over time things will slowly start to come together.
 
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#29
I have found SOME of this guy's stuff extremely helpful, particularly these things where he harmonizes a simple melody a bunch of different ways (simple to complex). You can learn a ton (I did). As I said earlier, you kind of need a piano, but a piano is pretty great to have.

There's a youtube video that goes along with this. Highly recommended:
Amazing Grace 6 harmonisations booklet + Midi files | Jazzduetshop
 
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#30
As far as I can tell you might be looking at theory as a purely theoretical practise. For example, any of us of can work through a music theory book cover to cover but actually have no idea how any of it sounds or how to actually use any of it practically. There tends to be a huge disconnect between what peoples theoretical knowledge is, where there ears are and what they can physically play on an instrument.

It could be your mental health, that is very real. It could be that you don't have any one to help guide you through this and help you by giving you practical exercises and music that demonstrates the concepts. Doing this on your own is actually pretty difficult the descriptions and how it's often taught is just as bad. Video lessons can't give you guidance, feedback or explain things than a good teacher you are working with can. I'd strongly recommend a teacher who can help you navigate this stuff and help tie in all those elements together.

Your chef analogy is fairly accurate. Cooking a meal is one thing, following a recipe is another. But understanding food, flavours, cooking techniques and bring that all together on a plate consistently? That's what you want from a chef.
 
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#32
Don't be too hard on yourself, studying music theory can get boring even for the music majors and it's only your hobby.

I feel like when I just read theory, I might lose focus. But if I listen to some examples, I get it. I.e. instead of just reading and playing the Dorian scale, listen to a piece written in Dorian mode etc.
 
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#33
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#35
Play music because you want to play music. It seems that you’ve sentenced yourself to study music theory without a rationale about whether it offers you benefit for the music you’re playing. If you’re outside academia or jazz improv settings you can get along just fine without much or any study of music theory. Put it aside for now. It’ll still be there if you reach a place where it becomes interesting and useful and necessary to you.

For now, play and enjoy music!
 
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#38
LBS-bass said:
Let me ask you this: When you play, are you able to pick out things by ear well enough to create something that's enjoyable for you?

The reason I ask this is that there are some people who do seem to have a pretty good ear and will be able to hear their way through a piece of music much more quickly and easily than they'll be able to learn from a book or paper.

For a person like that, it's like learning to speak when you're little. You don't learn grammar and syntax and the alphabet and how to read a book before you learn to speak. You learn how to speak first.

If that's how it is for you, don't sweat it. Learn at your own pace and enjoy what you have, because it's rare.

If that isn't how it is for you, then maybe re-evaluate your level of interest here. As was mentioned earlier, learning theory is boring. It takes some discipline to sit down and devote, say, a half-hour or an hour each day to study. This is a big part of why so many people put music aside during their career days and pick it up again in retirement.

To keep it from being too boring, I suggest splitting your time between study and play. Study for 20 minutes, and then just play to have fun for 20 minutes. Or whatever suits your schedule. That's the only way I know to keep making steady progress without losing your mind :)
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I’m not sure I’m ever going to learn to read much better...and I barely can. Once I figure out what to play, I fall back into playing by memory.
OP, I can relate. Even if I’m tired, I can play. But sitting down and working through theory or reading is difficult at the end of the day.
 
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#39
fretlessman71 said:
I personally find music theory fascinating. I really do. But if you DON'T, THAT IS ALSO JUST FINE.
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Studied for quite a while. Still pretty handy with writing. I’m not saying don’t study. I’m saying don’t feel like it is required to enjoy music and even play some songs. Then learn as you go if you don’t want to commit the effort all up front. I am glad for what I have learned.
 
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#40
Katoosie said:
Hi.

So this is a bit of a different (?) thread here on TB, feel free to skip this one if you don't feel like reading a personal post and you don't have the time to dive a bit deeper into this.

So I have made a post before about my progress after a year of playing bass. Lo' and behold, here I am with a bass, an amp, an interface and a second bass on the way! Yay!

Right? Sort of, yes.

What I am struggling with here is my disinterest in learning music theory. I don't seem to be capable of actually focusing enough to gather enough energy and willingness to sit down and actually study... I'm just too tired most of the time. I work quite a lot, sometimes it's quite demanding and often long without much sleep during tougher days so when I come back from work, after doing all the shopping and cleaning and whatever else, I just... I'm done.

I'm either falling asleep or don't have the energy to pick up a book or material and start studying. I mean, at least I pick up the bass for 30 min to an hour, sometimes more and I practice and try to play to songs/improvise but I just wanna sleep and/or relax instead.

I have read posts here on TB about people saying something akin to 'I don't even play bass when I'm tired' or 'No playing for me when I have a headache' and so on so I think it's not unreasonable to not want to study/practice after working for 24hrs or 12hrs or whatever, I just...

I just kind of feel guilty and I don't really have anyone to talk to about this so I thought I would post here, maybe some people would have some ideas and insights to share as it's always fascinating to read what others have done in a similar situation.

I've been studying theory on my own before quite diligently, usually a lesson a day with practice afterwards but ever since then quite a few things have changed in life. I have started working somewhere else and a bunch of other things have come and gone and I haven't really picked up theory in a month, maybe 2? I just don't feel any drive whatsoever to study theory, actually the thought of it seems daunting and boring. I would rather rest and do something else with my time, even if it's "not as productive".

Maybe it's just my mental health, I don't know. I don't even listen to music anymore so it just seems kind of silly that I would be studying music theory and try to learn the language of music while on a day-to-day basis I don't really have much to do with music at all. I'm just busy and/or tired. The only time I actually have anything to do with music in my life is when I read about gear here or when I actually sit down to play my bass.

Oh this is so ridiculous. I don't even know what I'm asking, I think I'm just venting about music because all this time I haven't studied any theory beyond watching videos from talkingbass.net and others.

If you have any tips about theory or any good resources, just let me know, okay? Thanks a lot everyone. Honestly, I will take any tips and pointers at this point.
Click to expand...
Something I learned a little while ago is music gets to be whatever you want it to be for you. Every one of us has a different relationship with music. If you're happy to just relax and noodle than there's no issue with that.

All the theory I know I've picked up in pieces over the last 17 years. I know what sounds good together from playing and experiences more so than actual theory. Theory helps, and when I sit at a piano I find myself heavily employing what I know while I learn. I wouldn't sweat it though, especially if it's detracting from bass playing for you.

This is something for you, do what you enjoy.

I too have plenty of days where my health says we're not playing bass today and I just let it slide. I couldn't be Jaco or go on a tour if I wanted to so what do I care if I know how to do a minor diminished scale over an upper C# but exclude the 4th? I'm not even sure that's a thing!
 
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