I am sick of my bandmates telling me I need to learn more music theory. I play just fine and can even play chords on the bass. Sometimes I go all out and slap. If something sounds good why does it matter if its not in the same key? Know what I mean. Like drummers don't know theory at all either and they play in bands. My band is threatening to kick me out because they say my parts dont make sense. Do you guys have any experience with things like this, am I over reacting? Can you guys teach me some theory?
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My views on music theory
- Thread starter Loves2Jam
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If you start learning music theory with an attitude like that you wont learn much...Best advice I could give you is just find you a teacher and take a few private lessons.
Once you start learning theory and things start clicking, It will open up alot of musical doors for you.
Once you start learning theory and things start clicking, It will open up alot of musical doors for you.
If your band just isnt clicking w/ your basslines it may be you just have a different style.
I dont know a whole lot of theory either, but I know you should play what you feel and if it feels good dont let anyone tell you otherwise.
I dont know a whole lot of theory either, but I know you should play what you feel and if it feels good dont let anyone tell you otherwise.
Sure, a lot of people can get by without any music theory, and get by well even. However, if what your band mates are saying is true, that your lines don't make sense or that they're not fitting, then it's not working for you right now. You'll either need to learn theory to see what else you can do to fit better, or simply ask them for help.
There are a LOT of online resources that can help you learn theory, too.
By the way, you don't need to bump your thread just a few minutes after starting it :|
There are a LOT of online resources that can help you learn theory, too.
By the way, you don't need to bump your thread just a few minutes after starting it :|
Should have posted this in the General Instruction forum.
Maybe it doesn't? Maybe it only sounds good to you and not to others. I figure they wouldn't have said that your basslines don't make sense unless it did sound incoherent.
Any drummer worth his salt knows an adequate amount of theory, IME.
Lots of online sources can help in learning theory. http://www.musictheory.net/ is a nice example. Obviously, if you have any trouble, ask us and we'll be glad to help out. BTW, I say this should be in GI because music theory related discussion belongs there, not in the Basses section. You could get more fruitful responses there, from guys who know their stuff well.
Maybe it doesn't? Maybe it only sounds good to you and not to others. I figure they wouldn't have said that your basslines don't make sense unless it did sound incoherent.
Any drummer worth his salt knows an adequate amount of theory, IME.
Lots of online sources can help in learning theory. http://www.musictheory.net/ is a nice example. Obviously, if you have any trouble, ask us and we'll be glad to help out. BTW, I say this should be in GI because music theory related discussion belongs there, not in the Basses section. You could get more fruitful responses there, from guys who know their stuff well.
If your band is threatening to kick you out, maybe that means they don't think your bass lines sound as good as you seem to. If you are so unwilling to cooperate with them, maybe they are right to threaten to kick you out.
Music theory is not hard. It is a lot of memorization and some simple math. They taught it in my high school, so I started there, and went on to more advanced material in college. You may be able to find a community college that offers a theory class, or you could ask people at your local music store if they can recommend a tutor.
Or you can buy a book and hope for the best. At any rate, it isn't that hard to learn. Good luck!
Music theory is not hard. It is a lot of memorization and some simple math. They taught it in my high school, so I started there, and went on to more advanced material in college. You may be able to find a community college that offers a theory class, or you could ask people at your local music store if they can recommend a tutor.
Or you can buy a book and hope for the best. At any rate, it isn't that hard to learn. Good luck!
Mark Wilson
Supporting Member
First: moved to General Instruction
Second: Quit being so hard headed. There's no "I" in band. If the band as a whole doesn't dig what you're playing, maybe it sounds like crap and you can't hear it.
Ask the band what THEY hear, then work around that.
Second: Quit being so hard headed. There's no "I" in band. If the band as a whole doesn't dig what you're playing, maybe it sounds like crap and you can't hear it.
Ask the band what THEY hear, then work around that.
- Oct 7, 2000
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Ahh... must plug into the troll thread. Like to see where these things go.
If OP is not a troll then sorry but I just can't take what you posted seriously.
If OP is not a troll then sorry but I just can't take what you posted seriously.
The most difficult thing in life is seeing yourself clearly....but recording your practice sessions will certainly help you hear yourself more clearly.
Sounds to me like a classic case of overplaying. One of the most important things a bassist can learn is how to play something that doesn't go too far, but still sounds good. Feel free to have a little artistic license with your lines, but make sure it fits. If you're as talented as you say you are, you shouldn't have a problem dialing it back a bit.
- Aug 25, 2007
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Well, I can say for myself that I wouldn't be able to write the majority of the parts I write for the songs we play if not for some theory. I just started out pretty simple:
IE learning the circle of 5ths followed by what notes were in each key followed by the chord structure of major and minor keys.
I practice pretty regularly by playing scales in every key in pretty much every position. After a while you just know what goes where and how to make stuff fit.
Once you understand a bit more about theory, you will understand what goes where and how to "bend" the rules. It kind of depends on what your band wants to do though. I would start by asking what they want you to learn FIRST. If you are trying to play like, an Fm7 over someones Fmaj7, yeah, I can understand why they are saying your parts dont fit.
IE learning the circle of 5ths followed by what notes were in each key followed by the chord structure of major and minor keys.
I practice pretty regularly by playing scales in every key in pretty much every position. After a while you just know what goes where and how to make stuff fit.
Once you understand a bit more about theory, you will understand what goes where and how to "bend" the rules. It kind of depends on what your band wants to do though. I would start by asking what they want you to learn FIRST. If you are trying to play like, an Fm7 over someones Fmaj7, yeah, I can understand why they are saying your parts dont fit.
I dont know much theory at all but I do know that playing in the right key is PRETTY FREAKIN IMPORTANT!! Right up there with rhythm, you know!
If your band is only threatening to kick you out, then they must think you're at least worth being given a warning.
Take it seriously-you're obviously not Lee, Harris, Entwistle or any other master of the instrument.
You are one part of a band and you need to realize your strengths and weaknesses in order to be a consummate team player.
When people are playing the same thing in different keys, it can sound pretty awful. My band recently got rid of a rhythm guitarist for something pretty similar.
Like I said, I'm no ace with theory myself but when the trained musicians in my band tell me what I need to be playing, I listen to them.
Good luck and start listening!
- Dec 18, 2000
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Dude you need to learn theory. If nothing else you need to understand that in most all cases if two instruments aren’t in the same key even though it may sound good to you, you are in most all cases the only one.
Taking lessons is a great idea as players of all skill levels can benefit from this.
As well you might consider letting your guard down a little,
your post comes across very closed minded.
Lastly you might also consider thinking of it as in learning theory to better yourself as a musician and not so much I hope this makes my band happy.
Best of luck,
Samantha.
Taking lessons is a great idea as players of all skill levels can benefit from this.
As well you might consider letting your guard down a little,
your post comes across very closed minded.
Lastly you might also consider thinking of it as in learning theory to better yourself as a musician and not so much I hope this makes my band happy.
Best of luck,
Samantha.
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