Good video to crack that "Fear of Theory" that runs rampant throughout the harmonica world!
We all have mostly a great handle on theory already and this is based on living a life surrounded by music done correctly - radio, tv, movie soundtracks, tiny speakers in the ceiling of the grocery store as we shop, etc. It's seeping into our subconsciousness every where we go.
Theory is just putting terminology to a lot of what we inherently understand in a non-verbal sense, so it's not like having to learn everything from scratch - it's about labeling what we already know with proper terms!
Like this gentleman says, when he learned what ii-V-I was on an intellectual level, he started to relisten to everything with this additional piece of knowledge and discovered that he was starting to recognize it EVERYWHERE!
This is the advantage that learning theory will afford one. ---------- The Iceman
Wow Chords up scales down I like what he said about transcribing someone else's work-- One thing that constantly humbles me is trying to learn someone else's stuff -note for note.
It teaches me how much I don't know--If I get REAL CLOSE to playing it the way she or he did--I loosen up--maybe take a break from it--- When I return to it, I realize I'm now getting a feel for how it was played, rather than doing it mechanically-- Eventually [sometimes years -sometimes months] I can hear [in my head] the way it was done originally and combine the original lick with my version--My version may be more busy or less busy
If u want to keep improving,There comes a time when u are forced to learn some theory--
I learn a lot from this website--I love learning-the learning part is more fun than the knowing part--learning keeps u moving forward
It's like Iceman says and not something you dismiss since music existed before we learned how to communicate it in symbols and gave melody harmony and rhythm names. I do agree there is a fear of theory running rampant in harmonica players. ---------- Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time. Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark .
Oh yes groyster. Carlos Montoyas wife would write out his compositions for him, Chet Baker off the top of my head. As far as current players I really can't say though there must be a lot around. I use memory mostly though i'll write out simple structures to tunes i'm learning. The key, the verses, the bridge and any key modulations if needed. Just for reference at hm and band rehersals. I'm lucky i have a good memory.--- Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time. Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark .
We live in an age when a simple dislike of something is often categorized as a fear. I don't fear theory, but studying it gives me zero pleasure.
An example here. I took several years of piano and guitar, and the theory aspects of music sucked all of the fun out of it for me. When I started playing harmonica solely by ear just a few years ago - okay and using some tabs too - I finally felt what had previously been a mystery . . . that intangible property that is often referred to as the joy of music.
That said, I'm strictly an "at home" player. It only makes sense that a pro has a solid grasp of theory - as he needs to communicate with other musicians. However, for the amateur I would simply apply a credo that is all important in life . . . do that which makes you happiest.
---------- •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• "Humor is always the first victim of political correctness."
Great post Todd! Rontana you are right. I don't fear theory. I'm just not as good at it cuz it's of peripheral interest since my sax and flute lesson days. I enjoy looking at the circle of 5ths and also knowing the names ie roots, 5ths, 3rds, 7ths, 9ths, and b7ths as it relates to harps im fixing/ tuning. Just made a maj 7th for a friend. I sharped the other b7th (9 draw) ala LOs Melody Maker for him. A lot of techs leave it alone but he enjoyed it. In short, I like knowing what applies to what I,'m doing. You can't get away starting a tune on the 5 turnaround w/ out telling the rest of the lads' We start on the 5'. ---------- Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time. Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark .
Last Edited by MP on May 11, 2018 3:30 PM
Really great. Watched it all the way through. Thanks Todd. ---------- Tony Eyers Australia www.HarmonicaAcademy.com everyone plays...
Last Edited by Harmonicatunes on May 12, 2018 8:29 PM
Excellent posting here and it basically demystifies the entire theory thing. A big part of harp player fear is that they too often confuse learning to sight read with learning theory, which is a related, but an entirely different skill set altogether. It also helps train your ears to pick things up a lot faster. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
He incorporates that sax so much into the conversation it makes me wonder if he could discuss anything(gardening, traffic, etc.) without it.
I like the theory aspect very much, I just find it difficult to retain. When I study it daily I build on it, but if I let a week go by it seems like I'm back to square 1.
Last Edited by Thievin' Heathen on May 12, 2018 9:03 AM
There are also fun and easy ways to approach theory that make it very palatable.
For instance, one might like to start by recognizing intervals - one at a time. (Knowing the interval by ear helps you figure out what notes are being chosen in a song or a solo you are trying to transcribe/learn).
Easiest to begin with is the perfect 5th interval. This is the sound of hole 1 exhale to hole 3 exhale, hole 3 exhale to hole 4 inhale. To many of us baby boomers, this interval is also the sound on the tv commercial for Imperial Margarine - Fit for a King!
At the dinner table, when the man took a bite of bread with what he thought was butter, a crown would appear on his head with a "bam ba ba baam" trumpet call. This is also a perfect fifth (up).
Since this pitch is in the collective unconscious of so many of us, theory just attaches "perfect 5th" to this sound.
Once one absorbs this bit of new knowledge, one can start to hear this "fit for a King" interval in music if you just turn your attention to it!
Each interval can be pegged to something in a song or melody that you already know. It's a fun way to start on your ear training and theory, too. ---------- The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on May 13, 2018 4:38 AM
