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So i've been producing music for a good few months now, and i was just wondering how many people on here have a good knowledge of music theory. I've learned a few chords and such but i've never really gotten my head around the whole thing with scales, keys etc. It just seems like a mammoth task and I dont have the longest of attention spans! lol.
I know if i did learn it then i could always get my songs to feel more like i want them to but i always give up and go by what my ears are telling me. Do you think it would be a good idea? If so, how did you learn? Books, lessons, internet? Any replies much appreciated!
Peace. |
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The Basics of music theory arent too hard to learn really, personally they spend a little to much time trying to teach you stuff in lessons. The trick is to learn via whatever output your scale theory then your chord theory, then you gotta experiment to see what chord colors work out for you. after that you can learn the more advanced scale theory (like Diminished/pentatonic scales, and how to know what scale will cooperate with whatever chords you are playing). I dont think a large base of theory is really nescesary for electronic music, because its so easy to pick notes and change them if they dont sound good. However, theory will make you EONS faster at getting those sounds, and make improvisation possible.
Hope this Helps. |
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i agree with acrylic
there a couple music theory sites that are free, just google...
the thing about theory, is that it's really the "action" .....
it's not something you can just "think" about and then have it work.
it takes a lot of practice and work to learn music theory...
I think the key is to make it really fun.
probably the best way, and the funnest way, is to learn other songwriters or popular music, and play along with an instrument.
get guitar tab if you play guitar, or get musical notation... eventually after playing thru a lot of songs, theory really becomes second nature...
(i would personally start with the beatles, as their songs utilize music theory, and are pretty simple, yet elegant and beautiful)
12 notes, divided by 7...
http://www.musictheory.net/ |
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I play guitar a lot and have guitar pro. Usually just mess about playing other peoples songs. I know some basic scales on guitar but its quite hard to translate onto a keyboard when im making music on reason. I think im just gonna have to learn a few more scales and the theory behind them and take it from there. Thanks again for replying! |
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I play the piano. I have always played by ear and only known a tiny little bit of music theory. I no most chords and am able to put chord progressions together just how they sound. Recently i started taking a music theory class at my college and its shocking as to how much i dont know about music theory and how well i can play the piano. I feel music theory is extremely important it can make your music SOOOOO musch better. And the good thing is its not horribly complicated. It open your mind a TON more on what you can do with music. If i were you id get a couple music theory books and read through them. If you didnt want to learn everything learning lots of basics, scales, chords, and key signatures are very useful. And like alividlife said musictheory.net is a very useful site. |
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Basic theory is worth the read man! just understanding chords in keys and scales that can be used over them. Modes could aslo be worth a delve into if you are feeling adventurous! Personally i see a lot of theory in numbers..i find my mind handles all the information better when i associate it with something else. If you can man..get a grade 5 music theory book and work through it...it helps a hell of a lot with composition and its helpful stuff to know if you are a musician.
On guitar you should learn a C major scale, an A minor pentatonic scale and all the chords in C major..that should keep you going for a good few months :)
Enjoy learning about the theory side man! :)
Chris |
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Thanks alividlife for the link ,bless up! |
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Without theory you can't create anything but mess, but theory is only theory. Theory isn't everything but quite essential |
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Yeah thanks for that link alividlife, looks realy useful.
I have to disagree that without theory all you can create is a mess though. Im sure there are lots of famous artists out there that even you listen to that have limited knowledge of theory. I guess some people just have a knack for what sounds good. |
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Honestly I don't really believe in music "theory". Music comes from imagination. I couldn't tell you what a C note and D note sounds like if my life depended on it. I know it sounds lame or unprofessional, but for the last few years I've been producing I've just done everything by ear. "This melody sounds good with this bass-line", or however I feel. I've listened to a lot of classical music and lot of it depicts how the artist feels, his/her way of expressing their emotions.
I may be right or wrong, but it's purely my opinion on music, just kinda go with it and don't over-think it and make some good tunes! =) |
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I know a bit of stuff. Not a ton, but plenty for most music after being in jazz band since the 6th grade. I really can't stress how important all that knowlege is. I often see guitar players who have no clue what notes they are playing or what a 5/4 vtime signature is. It's really sad, actually. I would say to learn as much as you can. It will help immensely. |
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Im actually learning music theory as of late in my classes I find its quite interesting and helpful in producing music. |
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