music theory

[Alextronica]

Tarekith

I should've just waited for your post

ha

I guess explain it just helps to solidify it in my head

So it goes

Peace Alex

[Nick the Zombie]

Ravenspiral guide was a big one for me when I decided to learn theory, definitely the best free resource that I've seen on the subject.

[stringtapper]

Do Ra Me Fa So La Ti Do

That's Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do (at least if you're talking about the major scale).

[Sphinx]

if you're not learning an instrument theory will be pretty pointless to learn.

No offense, but that's one of the lamest statements I've EVER read on a music-related forum.

You can never know TOO much about music.

[Tone Deft]

stick around, you ain't seen nothing yet.

you're reading it wrong. it's not about not learning theory it's about not playing an instrument. theory is MUCH more effective when you can hear what you're learning about. you'll never know what the pull of a V-I chord change feels like unless you play it. I guess you could hear it on web sites or be a mouse jockey and pencil the notes in.

OP - just learn to play your keyboard, even if you play really bad, it'll help.

[gjm]

if you're not learning an instrument theory will be pretty pointless to learn.

No offense, but that's one of the lamest statements I've EVER read on a music-related forum.

You can never know TOO much about music.

The entire list of Italian words to describe speed/feeling of music is simply useless unless you are trying to express those via an instrument. The difference between Allegro and Giocoso is best described by actually playing them. I am saying this in a very Brio manner with much Con moto.

[elxicano]

Damn... such varying degrees of advice.

I know you said you don't want to learn to play keyboard, but in all honesty, learning theory makes more sense while learning to play an instrument. The reason being is that you're connecting the knowledge to physical movement as well increasing the number of senses (hearing, touch, sight, etc..) which leads to faster memorization and faster implementation.

Even if you don't want to learn an instrument, learning theory is still helpful... even if you were just a music listener, it helps.

My advice is to find an instructor to teach you how to play piano (or guitar, or really any instrument). You'll be surprised how much you learn in a short amount of time compared to try and learn on your own. Not that you can't learn on your own, but if you have a decent teacher that can explain things when you need questions asked, then you'll probably learn faster.

Also, it's always great to support your local musician AND, you can probably find a music teacher for a relatively low price.

[ThrowAway]

Lucky for me usf has a big music dept. I use to post up on a bulletin board that I wanted piano lessons from students. I would get a few calls and would go get a few lessons and when I didnt like what I was getting for my absurdly cheap lessons I would move on to the next one. This is also a great way to meet college girls. I should have kept going.

[Sphinx]

if you're not learning an instrument theory will be pretty pointless to learn.

No offense, but that's one of the lamest statements I've EVER read on a music-related forum.

You can never know TOO much about music.

The entire list of Italian words to describe speed/feeling of music is simply useless unless you are trying to express those via an instrument. The difference between Allegro and Giocoso is best described by actually playing them. I am saying this in a very Brio manner with much Con moto.

You might want to learn the difference between notation and theory.

[ThrowAway]

great book I am currently reading regarding music theory from the computer musician's point of view..

http://www.borders.com/online/store/Tit ... 1598635034

and a software called piano wizzard by allegro.. you can import you own midi files and it will teach you how to sight read.. you can adjust tempo, take out labled notes, etc.. works with your midi keyboard..

Boarders is too expensive. try amazon

[Sphinx]

you'll never know what the pull of a V-I chord change feels like unless you play it.

Kudos, Tone Deft - I like your attitude! I'm a firm believer that music is a life-long learning experience, at just shy of 54, I've been studying piano/flute for close to 50 years, have a degree in music comp., and constantly still push myself to learn EVERYTHING I can about writing, playing and producing music to this day, even though it's simply a passion and not a career. The more I know - the more I realize that I DON'T know!

[gjm]

You might want to learn the difference between notation and theory.

I'll be sure to do that.

[thefinger]

imo, having a teacher is great for getting out of your comfort zone and learning completely. education is all about different experiences, and you should teach yourself to an extent, but also see a teacher or your local community college. being self taught is cool and everything but unless you are the master of self-discipline you will likely rush through certain things without even realizing it, and your knowledge will be spotty as a result. a good teacher will give you things to focus on, and they also know where youre going and will emphasize what needs to be emphasized accordingly.

i use to think i could get by with no outside training until i actually had some and was blown away not by how much i learned, because i already essentially knew the material, but by how intimate i had become with the material. imo thats the advantage to actual instruction.

[thefinger]

theory is MUCH more effective when you can hear what you're learning about. you'll never know what the pull of a V-I chord change feels like unless you play it.

this is very true.

[jcwillia]

i've been djing with live for a couple of years and put a few tracks together but only using samples i now would like start making my own sound but have never played any sort of instrument and do know what chords,root notes,scales are etc etc...i dont neccesarily want to learn how to play the keyboard because i know you can program the notes in on live but i have been having a look on the internet and jus so many music theory books and people trying to sell products telling you the best way to learn to play the keyboard and half of it is probaly just a con does anybody know what a good starting point would be for a complete beginner.its house music that im interested in producing by the way any advice would would be much appreciated

awesome thread - I have been in much the same boat as you for almost 20 years now. I've tried taking piano lessons multiple times but it always falls apart because I'm not learning anything practical I can use.

Thanks all for replies!

more book links :

Music Theory for Computer Musicians

http://product.half.ebay.com/_W0QQprZ64 ... 1383189881
http://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Comp ... 515&sr=8-1