Music theory

[CBGB]

Totally.

I taught myself a certain amount - modes, scales, chords, so I know something but not a massive amount. Knowing more would be nothing other than a great thing. Shit, I'm lazy...

[McSpunckle]

I just learned intervals and how they relate to the major scale so I can make chords and name chords I don't know.

I've considered really getting into theory, but it all seems useless to me.

I know a classical musician would disagree with me, but, hey, they're all in cover bands.

[Ghost Hip]

I have taken a semester of music theory. It really helped me understand what I'm doing and why certain things work, so I can do them again. Also the ear training/voice training helped with figuring out parts of songs that aren't tabbed right and what not.

Best class I've taken.

[the raytownian]

I don't need no stinkin' theory.

I've just accepted the fact that my hands are too fat and too slow to make wasting my time on theory worth it.

NOISE (and sloppy, single-chord Grind/Punk shit)... FUHEVUH!

ONE-STRING, THREE-FINGER SOLO! WEEDLEEWEEDLEEWEEDLEE...




.................



IDK, if I didn't suck at playing everything, I might actually be interested in theory.

[01010111]

I played violin in the high school orchestra, but I wasn't taught any theory. They basically just told me how to play the violin and read sheet music. As a result I have a very well trained ear and no knowledge of music theory.

I've made several attempts to learn scales, chords, and theory with some success. What I've noticed is that, initially, the knowledge does make you more formulaic, but after that knowledge becomes natural you can do a lot more and find places for sounds you couldn't find before. It feels restrictive, but it's really enabling.

I struggled a lot with myself as to whether or not this new knowledge would help me or turn me into a "music sounds like this" snob. What I decided is the sounds and relationships between sounds I can hear have already been found, and the relationships between those sounds mapped out. So if you find a sound or a progression of sounds, and know music theory, you have an map of where all kinds of sounds can fit in. It's not that you're not doing something new, it's just that you better know how sounds relate to each other. If you want something jarring, you can find something jarring. If you want something placid and plain, you can find it. Music theory isn't restricting, it enables you to group sounds in ways that you may want but can't find so easily without music theory. The downside is, if you aren't creative or are lacking some kind of sound in your head to let out, knowing music theory will probably turn you into a "music sounds like this" snob.

[orangeespoom]

x

[magiclawnchair]

I've made several attempts to learn scales, chords, and theory with some success. What I've noticed is that, initially, the knowledge does make you more formulaic, but after that knowledge becomes natural you can do a lot more and find places for sounds you couldn't find before. It feels restrictive, but it's really enabling.

I struggled a lot with myself as to whether or not this new knowledge would help me or turn me into a "music sounds like this" snob. What I decided is the sounds and relationships between sounds I can hear have already been found, and the relationships between those sounds mapped out. So if you find a sound or a progression of sounds, and know music theory, you have an map of where all kinds of sounds can fit in. It's not that you're not doing something new, it's just that you better know how sounds relate to each other. If you want something jarring, you can find something jarring. If you want something placid and plain, you can find it. Music theory isn't restricting, it enables you to group sounds in ways that you may want but can't find so easily without music theory. The downside is, if you aren't creative or are lacking some kind of sound in your head to let out, knowing music theory will probably turn you into a "music sounds like this" snob.

if knowing theory makes you less creative chances are you weren't creative in the first place, and you lose at music.

[ChrisDN]

Taught myself theory right from the word go.