Hi... up until now, I've been learning tabbed songs or making up things and tweaking them until they sound cool, but I keep hearing about theory, what exactly is it, what is the point of learning it and is it absoultely neccesary/worth it? Thanks for the help
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Theory
- Thread starter ARCtrooper225
- Start date
theory's basically an attempt to explain musical phenomena... harmonic, rhythmic, melodic, timbral etc
it's useful because with theory ideas can be discussed, communicated & understood using commonly accepted terminology
so when you say 'a minor 3rd' or '6/8 time', everyone can understand what it means, rather than you having to say "it goes like this: daaah dah daaaah da daaaa"
it's very very useful to have at least the basics under your belt... without it, you've got to find another, probably more long-winded way to communicate with other musicians
it's useful because with theory ideas can be discussed, communicated & understood using commonly accepted terminology
so when you say 'a minor 3rd' or '6/8 time', everyone can understand what it means, rather than you having to say "it goes like this: daaah dah daaaah da daaaa"
it's very very useful to have at least the basics under your belt... without it, you've got to find another, probably more long-winded way to communicate with other musicians
Lol, thats how I communicate with the guitarist...we just say the frets, like I have no idea what's the difference between an augmented 7, diminished 9, perverted 7, major 5, ********, 11, amd a minor 9
Theory is very helpful for communicating with musicians, but with guitarists, you'll still use frets.
Teacher. Without a doubt.
Taking some music theory classes can't hurt, but the private instruction of a good teacher will go a long way.
If you can't find/afford a teacher, books will help, but it's not a substitute. Just better than nothing.
Taking some music theory classes can't hurt, but the private instruction of a good teacher will go a long way.
If you can't find/afford a teacher, books will help, but it's not a substitute. Just better than nothing.
I keep finding myself saying this but I don't think you need to spend your hard-earned $$ paying someone to teach you basic music theory on notes, scales, intervals, chords, rhythm, harmony etc...
excellent info on all this stuff is available freely online (Google 'music theory' and have a look) and from dozens of happy-to-help people here (all you need to do is ask)
if money is no object, then go ahead & get a teacher who'll show you what a triad is etc, but it's a lot of money for info you could have got for free... rudimentary music theory is not rocket surgery and I disagree with the last poster, a book would be a perfectly good substitute for 99% of people wishing to start understanding music theory
excellent info on all this stuff is available freely online (Google 'music theory' and have a look) and from dozens of happy-to-help people here (all you need to do is ask)
if money is no object, then go ahead & get a teacher who'll show you what a triad is etc, but it's a lot of money for info you could have got for free... rudimentary music theory is not rocket surgery and I disagree with the last poster, a book would be a perfectly good substitute for 99% of people wishing to start understanding music theory
I pay $16.50 per lesson + half an hour drive one way.
I've tried the Google method and got a bunch of garbage that I didn't even know what to do with. My teacher laid everything out for me and basically gave me direction in my learning, instead of just giving me everything at once.
Can you teach yourself? Of course.
But in my case, a teacher showed me in 10 minutes what would have taken me a month to figure out.
I've tried the Google method and got a bunch of garbage that I didn't even know what to do with. My teacher laid everything out for me and basically gave me direction in my learning, instead of just giving me everything at once.
Can you teach yourself? Of course.
But in my case, a teacher showed me in 10 minutes what would have taken me a month to figure out.
+1000000 Although Im not taking lessons right now Its only cos Im waiting for Victor Wootens management assistant to get back from BNC. He took lessons with Victor for 7 years so Im pumped for that. Ill always advocate a teacher though. So many people who think they can teach themselves get out into the real music world and try to play with new people then get kicked in the ass by not knowing whats going on. The best way to learn is to have someone who knows it explain it to you not just some page on the internet. Everyone learns in different ways and a website isnt designed for that.Poop-Loops said:
ARCtrooper225 said:
I'm the opposite. If I ask what key a song is or for the progression and the guitarist says something like, "I don't know man. I'm playing 5, 7, and, 8," I'll probably walk out of that session as soon as possible. I expect people to communicate with me like seasoned musicians. Remember, 2, 12, and 6, don't mean s*** to a horn player or pianist.
cowsgomoo said:
You don't need a teacher to tell you how to play a mixoloydian scale, but what a teacher will do is help you learn how to apply that scale. That's what a good teacher should do.
I am a bass noob, and i have just started learning Theory, I dont know how to read notes. I only use tabs and mess around just like you. The stuff I have is INSANELY helpfull.
Because tabs are wrong most of the time, using theory you can figure out what it really is.
for example: "Hmm, that sounds kinda right..maybe i should go up an octave.. THERE we goo"
....eh..it helps.
the end.
Because tabs are wrong most of the time, using theory you can figure out what it really is.
for example: "Hmm, that sounds kinda right..maybe i should go up an octave.. THERE we goo"
....eh..it helps.
the end.
