Like the Big Bang Theory, music theory is a system of understanding how all the components of music function together. Music theory is everything that doesn't change from instrument to instrument. Music theory is learning about the notes themselves. Learning where the notes are on the fretboard, or how to finger them on a trumpet, isn't theory it's your instrument. Learning the musical alphabet and the notes on the fretboard can help you communicate more clearly about the ideas above.ġ6 minute theory crash course (on piano):Īpplication of the previous ideas on guitar:Įven more detailed explanations on piano:Įven more detailed explanations on piano, starting with a good summary of the science of sound waves: Then you can learn even more about how choices of single notes and phrases can fit over not just a single chord, but how a note or phrase can fit into the "harmonic motion" of a transition between chords. Another useful step from there is learning about how a single note or a phrase constructed from single notes can sound different depending on what chord is being played in the background. Then there's more detail you can learn about how a feeling of "tension" or conversely, a feeling of "resolution" can be created when you move between different chords. A magic search term for this basic idea is "harmonizing the major scale", or more broadly "diatonic harmony". That background knowledge will help you recognize and understand the "chord progressions" that get used over and over again in popular music. Super short version: It's useful to understand where chords come from, and why certain chords generally sound like they "fit" together. The first one is excellent on its own, the second one illustrates some of the same ideas on guitar instead of piano, and each subsequent video in this list fleshes things out with more details and longer explanations. If you want a decent crash course on music theory, try the sequence of videos below (from a few different providers). Fortunately my kids all read fluently, and didn't learn to associate music theory with trauma. It's still not easy, because I go blank and forget basics. Years later I began to work with professionals, and realized very swiftly that to communicate effectively - and rehearse efficiently - I'd have to overcome my fear of theory and damn well LEARN. I took up guitar because, according to them, that's all I was good for. My dad and elder brother - both horn players - bullied and humiliated me so much that I refused to play cornet any more, and gave up learning to read the stave. Transposing is very helpful when you work with horn players (to be able to write down and explain their parts, instead of waving a guitar at them, hoping it'll work). You'll be able to communicate easily and quickly with other musically literate musicians, and understand transposition. When you begin recording professionally, it's a huge help to be able to read your part and follow the arrangement you've been hired to perform. Theory? Learning it enriches understanding of melody, harmony, chordal structure and rhythm.
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