/mu/ - Music (Temp full images)

I took a theory class in high school. It helped me a lot with chord progression and harmonization. Didn't really change the way I think about music though.

>>31124520
So when you play you still go by ear or do you somehow calculate (for a lack of a better word) with the help of your theory knowledge? I guess this sounds retarded, but I'm really trying to understand the basic thought process of someone who plays or writes music with theory in mind

When you speak of music theory, are you talking about the standard music theory, such as, Circle of fifths, The major modes? The relative minor/majors? How to form a chord using the notes by name? Or just simply reading music? And if so, which clef?

>>31124777
I don't believe that there are many music theories (depends on how you want to signify it maybe? i'd say that the things you've listed can be all classified as parts of traditional music theory). But more or less I've talked about knowing how to read standard notation and form chords by notes, yes

it adds a missing depth

when i played by ear it was a lot of guessing and what not
with music theory its like a pamphlet of knowledge general rules you can or dont have to follow its just a theory of knowledge not a standard you have to follow

theory has really influenced my playing

of course a good ear is the main component, having a good understanding of chordal progressions and concepts of melody/theme types really helps you frame your solos

>>31124950
Sure, a lot of guess work when you play by ear. But I've always found that one the best things about music. That's why I've always preferred improvisation, I guess, and why I never managed to understand how people who know theory play. So would you say that it is basicaly like grammar?
So basically it is grammar?

Well, there is jazz theory, such as alt scales, and melodic minor modes. but, if you're just wondering about music reading, and or sight reading. It takes a lot of time and effort, but once I got it. It changed the whole way I saw music. It's like when you figure out how to do multiplication. It all just begins to make sense, why they add up together, why it all belongs. And then, you just develop much faster than the, "I play by ear." Cancer that is growing into a wider range. Plus, if you're serious about it, if you audition for music in a college, you'll be laughed out if not able to read.

>>31125198
if you are improvising by guess work you are doing it wrong

of course it works to get by, but being in control and knowing what you are going to play is the real core of improvisation

its more than mashing scales
its story telling through your isntruments

being able to speak is one thing

knowing what to say is another

>>31125389
but i'm obviously not creating chaos when I improvise. I can hear what my partners are playing and I have some ideas about what would sound cool along that, what would underline the theme or add another theme etc, etc. I also know where I can find the sounds I need on the instrument. I just don't know how to name what I'm doing and I couldn't write it down, but I think you underestimate the role of intuition and subconsciousness in music (and especially in improv).

>>31125622
no i dont underestimate.. i agree that your ear is your best tool. but developing your ear within the context of formal training and theory will put you miles beyond where your intuition goes

i bet if you formalized your musical training with some theory knowledge you would suprise yourself

>>31125389
This is true.

Imagine if someone was playing a simple 2-5-1 progression. Dm7 G7 Cmaj7, What would you do? Mash on the Am pentatonic? Wouldn't that grow boring quickly? Now, if you knew how improv works though music theory. You could go, Well Dm I could look at the 7 modes of the major scale, Dm, I'll use D Dorian, G7? That's te dominant, I'll use the Mixolydian, Cmaj7? I could use the C Ionion, Then, when you get more intothe technical theory you could change the G7 to a G7#5 and play the Alt scale, then insted of playing C ionion when it gets to Cmaj7, You could play the flat third, Ebmaj7 Arpeggio, And have a very unique sound to your playing, With music theory, the possibilities are endless.

>>31125210

That's the way it worked out for me. I wasn't too versed in theory, but once I started studying it, and starting to learn it then music made sense within the context of the theory.

Your ear IS a great tool, and never let theory stand in its way, because the rules and scales are there, but you should not feel constricted by them. I don't doubt that there are great musicians who don't know music theory, however, the benefits from learning music theory can only advance to one's musical abilities.

not Op


How the fuck do I even start learning Music Theory?

>>31125942
www.musictheory.net

>>31125956
well that's a straightforward answer if there ever was one

I study music at university and started learning music theory late relative to many of my peers, so I guess I had the benefit of really being able to perceive a difference in the way I thought of music before and after (as opposed to those who start to learn about theory early on in their performing lesson careers, etc.)

To me, the biggest difference was a new found awareness of how calculated compositions actually are. I guess before, I thought that musical composition was just a matter of composers writing down what they thought sounded good, as opposed to maintaining (or defying) a studied and academically-oriented set of conventions. It didn't really affect the way I perform my instrument itself, but this knowledge allowed me to be able to learn pieces faster, essentially. My instrument isn't chord-based and rarely harmonizes with itself, but I learned how certain progressions sounded and was able to apply this particularly in instances where I would have to learn music by the second read through.

Learning music theory both changed my view of composition and making music and helped me in my practical study of my instrument.

>>31125817
when i see dm7 g7 cmaj 7 i see ii-V-I in c major because i refuse to let my musical outlook be infected by berklee's autistic scale chord bullshit