i stumbled on this youtube series the other day, and i feel like it helped me out alot.. you may find this helpful.. and according to the guy, he is going to do videos for at least level 2 music theory.. maybe level 3... he has already posted 22 vids dealing with level 1..
just tought those of you who are like me, theory challenged may like this...
I'm not going to watch them, but it's potentially an excellent idea. Incidentally, I do my treble clefs exactly the opposite way from him - I mean I end with the down-stroke, I don't start with an up-stroke! ---------- Kinda hot in these rhinos!
Last Edited by on Mar 16, 2010 11:04 AM
There's also a freebie website worth checking out that you can go at your own pace and hat's http://www.musictheory.net. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
I'll plan to check out more of his videos, thanks for posting. I wish we discussed theory more on these forums. So much of the discussion is so meaningless if the music being played isn't good!
There's a couple other sites or videos I check out for theory as well. I'm hoping he goes further. Seems like so many sites/videos go into how to read sheet music & what the scales are. Which is cool but I got all that. But still when guys talk theory they talk all sorts of stuff that's over my head, haha.
---------- ~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
im up to vid 15, and 13 and 14 were really good for me, cause the had alot to do with fiths, and 14(im pretty sure) is all about the circle of fifths, and how to draw it and understand what is going on...
he can be a bit odd at times, but he really tries to make it easy to remember things, even gives you homework if you feel like doing it.. all ment to help you remember everything...
Remember this is classical approach. You can learn stuff but I don't think I've ever called a tune and said let' do this allegro. I studied classical and jazz theory harmony and can tell you will get some good stuff and a lot of stuff you'll never use again except in this video. For those interested in Jazz check out Jamie Aebersold, John Meahgan, Howard Levy, . It takes a lot of repetition of writing and playing scales and arpeggios to get this stuff to stick in your brain.
These videos are good for basic knowledge but after that there are better ways.
The sooner you apply this stuff to your instrument the more it will get into you head.
rarely have i ever thought TMI was a bad thing.. my head is FULL of useless info, ant least it is useless till i need to apply it..
this is more for a basic understanding of the things going on in sheet music, how scales work, among other things..
i can speak english, but without a full understanding of the english language, it would be hard for me to right a novel.. at least one the readers would understand... i think the same goes for music.. if you want to right a song, you should have an understanding of the "music language" no??
im sure there are better ways, but this one is free, and free(acurate) info is the best kind.. when im done with this, i will find another and take everything i can from that one.. then start the process again and again..
you know what i like about this stuff.. i can put youtube vids on my ipod(realplayer downloads any vid i want)and listen to them while i clean the house, drive, and work ect. that is how i listen to gussow vids, ricci vids, and buddah vids.. these vids are also good for basic(and advanced) knowedge, but like you said, without application.................
I'm really bad at music theory,but I think I have good music instincts,for lack of a better term. I try to play with other people as much as I can. Do I need to spend a whole month memorizing the notes--F A C E, Every Boy Deserves Favor,All Cows Eat Grass. Is that going to help me? I don't really care if I can read music. I'm more interested in being able to play different styles of music. I'm quite comfortable in blues mode,but some of the jazzier stuff I don't do too well on. I don't want to waste time on things I won't use.
then dont...lucky for me, it takes only a few minutes to memorize efgabcdef..
and i bet you know more theory than you think.. i mean if you wanna play jazz(or any other type for that matter), then i bet you know what scale(s) you are using, where the changes are, what key you are in, what position, and how to play the notes involved. there is alot more to fundamentals then reading sheet music.. you cant play folk music without knowing HOW to play it .. can you? can you play the blues if you dont know what scale, the changes or for that matter what key you need to be in?
i titled this "music theory for BEGINNERS" not "you all NEED to know this stuff!!!" cause that latter title wouldnt apply to you. as you seem to know how to play whatever it is you want to play. but your words seem to almost try to discourage someone else from learning.. why not just say "well im not a beginner" and move on? or to quote andrew, "I'm not going to watch them, but it's potentially an excellent idea."
i posted this up to give those that are new to music, knowledge seekers like myself, another way to find some information that may be helpful..
sorry, but i didnt say you HAVE to learn it.. i wouldnt want to "waste" your time..
Last Edited by on Mar 18, 2010 6:25 AM
Well, to be honest,I have no idea what scale I'm playing,or if I'm even playing a scale. I guess I should have said I want to learn more about theory as it applies to real world playing. I suppose I'm a fairly experienced player but still a beginner on theory. And my 60 y.o. brain just doesn't absorb stuff like it used to. So basically what you're saying is pick and choose what I want from those lessons? As for HAVE to learn it,I put that upon myself. Waste was a bad term,I guess,but I'm not getting any younger. I just want to sort of cut to the chase.
Last Edited by on Mar 18, 2010 9:11 AM
