Music theory doesn't decide what you play, it describes it... love that quote. Personally I've started taking some music theory last two years and I feel it enriches my song writing and giving it an extra dimension.
But maybe most of all it can help me if I get stuck in writing or arranging a song. For a hip hop collab I did where I wanted to have a simple but groovy guitar line I just brought up some scales, and bam... there it was :)
Thats right. more you know, more tools you have to describe your feelings. I studied Music theory, Harmony and Counterpoint myself. depends on type of music you want to play if you are into Neo Classical like Malmsteen Harmony is a great tool. anyway when you love music nothing is better than learning more and more about it.
Some students asked Stravinsky years ago which university is better for music and he answered you should be born a musician!
@steevc Great post. It's true, most people play what feels and sounds good. You can analyze it and describe it with theory later. I learned theory in bits and pieces over the years, and it was a lot of work to learn the little I know :-) If you check out Robert Conti, and incredibe jazz guitarist, writer, performer, teacher ...he says no scales no modes. I have several of his books, and his approach is completely old school. Watch, learn, copy, etc, then make it your own. Don't let lack of theory stop you from playing. Now, I have another hero, Scott henderson, who is the opposite. he says you should know every note on the fretboard: ie the 3rd of G is B, the 4th of Bb is Eb etc. I always say to try to put your heart and soul into every note, no matter if you know theory or not.
I hear some players talk and they obviously have all this stuff in their heads. I wonder if I have the time to learn that much. Some lessons talk about scales and modes without showing how it works in a musical context. That's what really matters.
A great, another musiclover. I'm new on steemit (one month) and did already quiet some posts on music. I have an serie "music is magic, music is emotion". I'm a big fan of different guitarplayers, they all have something special (like Satriani, Schenker and for example Bonamassa). This weekend I've met Steve Fister by accident when I went for an interview (my first by the way) of Barend Courbois, a great dutch bassplayer. Steve is a great musician where I still ask myself why did I not know the guy. He has done some great stuff, also played at Lita Ford in the beginning. If you like, check him out. And if you are interested of course feel free to check some of my posts. (no begging for an upvote though ;) ) ... I love to exchange musical posts, like you said just right Music is a journey that never ends Thanks man !!
I agree it's what sound good. But I always wanted to know what I was playing. And learning theory helped me. I wish the first scale I learned was the major scale not the pentatonic, that slowed me down as far as my creativity. Also, understanding certain chords and turn arounds help me with songwriting. My advice for someone intimidated by music theory is learn all the spelling of the major and minor chords. Took me a week, Then learn how to harmonize the major scale. Start with in the Key of C. That worked for me.
I'm fairly analytical and do want to understand what I play. I find it helps to find a lesson where they put it into musical context. Just playing a scale is not music.
@steevc well said. This, i believe is what separates many players. Even shred rock playing...it has gotten more focused on the scales, and mechanical patterns/sweeps etc, and not on playing from the heart. That's why there is only one Jason Becker, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, BB King, Stevie ray Vaughan. Let's take Stevie, how many of us copy his licks? Now, how many of us watch his videos, see his face, and FEEL those notes...that's what we miss. I'm gonna blog about this FEELING thing soon, and I will shout you out @steevc. :-)
I wish I knew more music theory, I took electronic music classes back in the day, and always came up against various roadblocks when trying to make a song better.
I think percussion is what always tripped me up the most, guitar I could usually make work.
I'm new to podcasts and never thought of listening to one about guitars. I've been playing for a while (not really all that good) and really enjoy it. I'll hit this podcast up. Thanks.
I've listened to lots of guitar podcasts. Some are about gear, but I like to hear people talk about the music. I'll do a post soon with more recommendations
Well, like i say all the time guitar is the easiest and the most interesting instrument i ever played, in fact i was a drummer initially, i ditched drumming for guitar, it has been the best experience since i made this fantastic choice #wink.😉
Thanks so much for this piece, i enjoyed it
Very true, although i still believe music theory can help boost one's ability without doubt. I followed you already and i am resteeming this right away. Truly
Music theory doesn't decide what you play, it describes it... love that quote. Personally I've started taking some music theory last two years and I feel it enriches my song writing and giving it an extra dimension.
But maybe most of all it can help me if I get stuck in writing or arranging a song. For a hip hop collab I did where I wanted to have a simple but groovy guitar line I just brought up some scales, and bam... there it was :)
I think it has value when you are still trying to find what works. I plan to study it some more.
@communicasound is posting various music stuff he's found. @melbookermusic also does lessons.
Thanks man. I'm gonna follow them!
Thats right. more you know, more tools you have to describe your feelings. I studied Music theory, Harmony and Counterpoint myself. depends on type of music you want to play if you are into Neo Classical like Malmsteen Harmony is a great tool. anyway when you love music nothing is better than learning more and more about it.
Some students asked Stravinsky years ago which university is better for music and he answered you should be born a musician!
@steevc Great post. It's true, most people play what feels and sounds good. You can analyze it and describe it with theory later. I learned theory in bits and pieces over the years, and it was a lot of work to learn the little I know :-) If you check out Robert Conti, and incredibe jazz guitarist, writer, performer, teacher ...he says no scales no modes. I have several of his books, and his approach is completely old school. Watch, learn, copy, etc, then make it your own. Don't let lack of theory stop you from playing. Now, I have another hero, Scott henderson, who is the opposite. he says you should know every note on the fretboard: ie the 3rd of G is B, the 4th of Bb is Eb etc. I always say to try to put your heart and soul into every note, no matter if you know theory or not.
I hear some players talk and they obviously have all this stuff in their heads. I wonder if I have the time to learn that much. Some lessons talk about scales and modes without showing how it works in a musical context. That's what really matters.
A great, another musiclover. I'm new on steemit (one month) and did already quiet some posts on music. I have an serie "music is magic, music is emotion". I'm a big fan of different guitarplayers, they all have something special (like Satriani, Schenker and for example Bonamassa). This weekend I've met Steve Fister by accident when I went for an interview (my first by the way) of Barend Courbois, a great dutch bassplayer. Steve is a great musician where I still ask myself why did I not know the guy. He has done some great stuff, also played at Lita Ford in the beginning. If you like, check him out. And if you are interested of course feel free to check some of my posts. (no begging for an upvote though ;) ) ... I love to exchange musical posts, like you said just right Music is a journey that never ends Thanks man !!
I agree it's what sound good. But I always wanted to know what I was playing. And learning theory helped me. I wish the first scale I learned was the major scale not the pentatonic, that slowed me down as far as my creativity. Also, understanding certain chords and turn arounds help me with songwriting. My advice for someone intimidated by music theory is learn all the spelling of the major and minor chords. Took me a week, Then learn how to harmonize the major scale. Start with in the Key of C. That worked for me.
I'm fairly analytical and do want to understand what I play. I find it helps to find a lesson where they put it into musical context. Just playing a scale is not music.
@steevc well said. This, i believe is what separates many players. Even shred rock playing...it has gotten more focused on the scales, and mechanical patterns/sweeps etc, and not on playing from the heart. That's why there is only one Jason Becker, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, BB King, Stevie ray Vaughan. Let's take Stevie, how many of us copy his licks? Now, how many of us watch his videos, see his face, and FEEL those notes...that's what we miss. I'm gonna blog about this FEELING thing soon, and I will shout you out @steevc. :-)
I wish I knew more music theory, I took electronic music classes back in the day, and always came up against various roadblocks when trying to make a song better.
I think percussion is what always tripped me up the most, guitar I could usually make work.
I'm new to podcasts and never thought of listening to one about guitars. I've been playing for a while (not really all that good) and really enjoy it. I'll hit this podcast up. Thanks.
I've listened to lots of guitar podcasts. Some are about gear, but I like to hear people talk about the music. I'll do a post soon with more recommendations
The most boring musical instrument for me .. for so long i learned guitar never succeeded ...
@steevc
Well, like i say all the time guitar is the easiest and the most interesting instrument i ever played, in fact i was a drummer initially, i ditched drumming for guitar, it has been the best experience since i made this fantastic choice #wink.😉
Thanks so much for this piece, i enjoyed it
Very true, although i still believe music theory can help boost one's ability without doubt. I followed you already and i am resteeming this right away. Truly
wow.....!!!! what a Amazing and very interessing post . i like it @steevc . thank you for sharing
resteemed and shared in the steemit
No you didn't