Poll: What do you know about Music theory?
- Thread starter mrpenguinismyhomeboy
- Start date
Recommended Videos
I know the diatonic modes as well as how modes work in general. I also know Penatonic, blues, diminished, minor harmonic, minor hungarian and minor melodic. I know about rests, grace notes, enharmonic spelling and stuff like that. I can read and write but not well enough to sight read or write as I listen to something. I know theory well for a rock guitarist. So, I put down that I know some.
Some. I know enharmonic notes, circle of fifths, how modes work as well as the different kinds of scales. (Although I don't really know blues scales too well). Also basic chord progressions, intervals, and I can read music. However, I much prefer a treble clef to a bass clef because I'm used to reading on my alto sax, which is obviously written in treble.
To be completely honest, when I write I think if a song is supposed to be somewhat sad or up-beat/happy. If sad, I choose a minor scale at random, then just play with whatever fits the emotion well. I don't utilize theory to the fullest, but I use it somewhat. It helps to understand why certain things sound good and other things sound bad, which I guess is the whole point of it.
To be completely honest, when I write I think if a song is supposed to be somewhat sad or up-beat/happy. If sad, I choose a minor scale at random, then just play with whatever fits the emotion well. I don't utilize theory to the fullest, but I use it somewhat. It helps to understand why certain things sound good and other things sound bad, which I guess is the whole point of it.
My college is stupid, so I can't actually take Music Theory without first declaring a minor in Music, which I don't wanna do without first knowing what I'm getting into, so I'm left with what I learned in my three years of middle school band, four years of high school band, drum lessons from ages eight to thirteen, and my two-and-a-half years of self-taught guitar... oh, and I've been singing for most of my life, too.
It's odd, though, how I've played so many instruments, yet I know so little about real music theory. I always just kinda played by ear. That always seemed to work.
It's odd, though, how I've played so many instruments, yet I know so little about real music theory. I always just kinda played by ear. That always seemed to work.
I'm a lazy guitarist I learn TAB instead 
. I understand rhythms and the basics of notes and whatnot, but I've never really been as good with written notes. I'm better at learning things by ear.
. I understand rhythms and the basics of notes and whatnot, but I've never really been as good with written notes. I'm better at learning things by ear.
I play jazz saxophone and took a jazz improvisation class that was a combination music theory/performance class senior year of high school, so I know enough to incorporate it into my solos and to write mediocre melodies, but I'm by no means an expert.
I can read percussion music, so I understand the rhythmic aspect of music theory.
I want to get more into though, I'm learning to play guitar right now. Right now I know the scales and a bunch of different chords. I can sort of read chord charts.
Although I do value learning to play by ear before learning theory. A good saying I always like to use is "you wouldn't teach a child how to spell before he/she can speak?" Same goes for music, you have to learn to speak with your instrument first. You need to train your and your fingers to a good degree before diving into theory.
I want to get more into though, I'm learning to play guitar right now. Right now I know the scales and a bunch of different chords. I can sort of read chord charts.
Although I do value learning to play by ear before learning theory. A good saying I always like to use is "you wouldn't teach a child how to spell before he/she can speak?" Same goes for music, you have to learn to speak with your instrument first. You need to train your and your fingers to a good degree before diving into theory.
Most of my improvs/songwriting is based on modes and scales (I've been digging Phyrgian for a while now), I have a basic knowledge of time signatures, I can read music to some extent, and I'm Ok with melodies.
I hope to learn some more in college or something like that, but I'm fine with it.
I hope to learn some more in college or something like that, but I'm fine with it.
What you're now saying is that just about anyone can do just about anything, but only a few people can do any particular thing really well, in any musical style. I would agree with this, however it's quite a backpedal from your previous statement, where you make a false distinction between "real" and "rap" composition. All musical composition, is musical composition, regardless of style. As a composer, I'm sure that you're aware of this.chemicalreaper said:
I've been studying and putting into practice contemporary guitar and piano for just under 10 years now. I like to think I have a decent grasp of music theory, or a basic one at least.