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My views on music theory
- Thread starter Loves2Jam
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First of all I HATE SLAP! But that's just me. As far as your larger point is concerned, I posted this a couple of days ago. I played with a Berklee trained drummer. He used to go home and write everything on charts. He would bring a clip board to rehearsal and gigs and hang it on my cabinet. He spent most of the night staring at it. The problem was that if we eviated at all, for example if the guitarist extended or shortened a solo, the drummer got lost. He never learned to play by ear or feel. Needless to say we had many "trainwrecks". I left that band and started playing with a keyboard player who came from a musical family. He has a degree from Berklee, a degree from the London Conservatory and teaches music at a private "prep school". One night at rehearsal, he started talking theory to me and asked me to play something different than what I was playing. I told him that I had no idea what he was talking about. He laughed because he thought I was kidding. I told him that I was serious. I had no knowledge of music theory. He responded by saying "How the "F" can you play that well without knowing theory?". I said " I don't know, it just comes to me". He said " If you learn theory you would be f...ing deadly and could play with anyone in the world because you are the best in the pocket bass player I have ever seen". I have tried to learn theory many times. I have an IQ of 147 and have been playing for 32 years. I cannot seem to understand theory. Personally, I think theory is over rated. Gene Simmons is one of the most successful musicians ever. He cannot read or write music and has no formal understanding of theory. I will take a musician who can play by ear and feel anyday. However, in the spring, I am taking a music theory course at UMASS. I figure that a little knowledge can't hurt.
- Oct 7, 2000
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Favorite Genres:jam, funk, rock, jazz, hip hop
I'm beginning to think the peeps on talkbass are incredibly easy targets. Come on guys and girls.
I'm beginning to think the peeps on talkbass are incredibly easy targets. Come on guys and girls.
Click on the General Instruction [BG] link at the top of this page. Find a thread that looks interesting and begin reading. Don't think of it as learning music theory but learning music. Putting the theory on the end makes it sound so complicated and boring.
It's not. There are only 12 notes. You don't even need half the alphabet. You only need to count to four and repeat. Sometimes only 3. If you want to make sure no one likes it, count to 5.
It's not. There are only 12 notes. You don't even need half the alphabet. You only need to count to four and repeat. Sometimes only 3. If you want to make sure no one likes it, count to 5.
- Aug 25, 2007
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- I manufacture for several companies including but not limited to: Bridge City Sound, Catalinbread, more.
I thought you said you were playing hard rock with funk influences?
Besides, "jazz people" understand jazz progressions and movements. Thats why they are able to play whatever they want without it sounding crappy. Everyone KNOWS THEIR PLACE.
Perhaps they're hearing something you're not? You might think your parts sound good, but it might be either: a) They really don't sound harmonically cohesive with the other parts; or b) you're playing something really, really different in style.
Or.... it could be something like you're playing a groove where things are a tritone away from the root of the guitar's chord and you don't know why everything sounds off....... I really don't know.
But honestly, could it really hurt to know at least how chords are built and what to play to the majority of most chords? I'm not saying that you have to learn about Tritone subs and secondary dominants, but at least basic diatonic chordal theory. Learning things like "C Mixolydian sounds good over C7" or "G Dorian sounds cool over Gmin". That's all.
Actually, do you have samples of your playing? You might get some better feedback about what you're talking about if you have some samples.
Theory is a touchy subject. Especially with green musicians. For some reason some people say theory steals the soul. Or that it makes you a machine. Ive heard that last one a few times. You must learn theory. Not because you cant play with out it. Because you really limit yourself with what you can do. If you cant read you cant do show bands or some house band gigs even. And you say you can even play chords on the bass. But what chords are you playing and do they belong (in theory) where you put them. Also if your lines are as good as they say they are, imagine how fantastic they will be when you know exactly what will work and what wont. And it sounds like you aren't listening. Thats the biggest theory you must use is hearing, not your self but the band as a whole. If you say your lines fit and your band says they don't. You may be listening to your self more than you should. and i'm not taking a shot at you or anything. Just trying to help.
P.S. In regards to your post about "Jazz People". Most of the jazz cats now read and know theory very well. Either that or they have played so much with recordings and transcriptions that their ear lets them know what to do.
"Once the rules learned completely , they can be completely broken" From the music lesson, Victor L. Wooten.
P.S. In regards to your post about "Jazz People". Most of the jazz cats now read and know theory very well. Either that or they have played so much with recordings and transcriptions that their ear lets them know what to do.
"Once the rules learned completely , they can be completely broken" From the music lesson, Victor L. Wooten.
Take this for example, if you want to say what you feel to most of us on talkbass. You need to have a pretty good understanding of the English language and if you want to play what you feel you need to have a good understanding of the language of music.
Dig?
I think you missed the point.
Think of theory as the grammar of music. Theory doesn't dictate what you can or can't play, just like english grammar doesn't keep you from rambling nonsense. Theory is a comprehensive system that allows you to understand what you're playing, what you're hearing, and how it all fits and works. Right now you may play what you think sounds good, but understanding theory allows you to understand why it sounds good.
Also, jazz musicians play what they feel, but they know theory inside and out in order to do it.
Mark Wilson
Supporting Member
- Oct 7, 2000
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Why did you set yourself up like this? If that's your band in the link, you're clearly trolling here. What's the motivation behind this kind of stuff, it kills your reputation and hurts your band.
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