MUSIC THEORY [excerpt]: everything you need to know

[@arthouston7361]

I know you just said that theory should be examined later, but my theory horse has already left the barn. Having played recorded music for years as a DJ on the radio (Steely Dan, prog bands, etc) I decided that when I finally bought an Alfred book and sat down to begin a playing quest, I had this idea that I needed to understand "how the sausage was made." A couple of youtubers, Gracie Terzian and Rick Beato, helped a lot with that, so the things you mentioned were not entirely alien to me. I bough a Real Book, and found that I am at least a year away from using it...maybe two. I may also consider Kent's book. I grew up listening to everything, from Mozart and Beethoven to Brubeck and Beatles. I turn 72 this month. I will be checking out your other content soon. I like the idea of intervals in context. I like context.

[@MyMusicGenesis]

Your listening experience will serve you well! I'm not familiar with Terzian. I enjoy Rick's channel...not so sure about his theory teaching approach. I'm not familiar with Kent's book either. Yeah, the Real Book kind of requires a lot of hearing and playing skills to already be in place! Like audiation and keyboard geography skills. Luckily that's what my Genesis Course offers. You can check it out here: mymusicgenesis.com/genesis-course And happy birthday this month!

[@josephgalante6501]

Great stuff, thank you!!

[@MyMusicGenesis]

My pleasure! Glad it resonated with you.

[@alexeykulikov2739]

Thank you, Robert.

[@MyMusicGenesis]

My pleasure!

[@larryrapshaw8405]

A Major 2nd that goes both ways: "Put another Nickel In..."

[@MyMusicGenesis]

Well, that gets you SO-LA and LA-SO, but there are 11 other sets!

[@larryrapshaw8405]

​​@@MyMusicGenesisYes, true, but I would think that one would be able to identify the distance regardless of the context of scale position.

[@MyMusicGenesis]

@@larryrapshaw8405 Which is fine for people who already know how to do it. But identifying theoretical concepts outside of musical context isn't an effective way for learners to learn. I'm not sure what you said is correct, either. Intervals sound/feel different depending on how they function in context. So I wouldn't be surprised if someone might easily recognize SO-LA as a Major 2nd, but might not have the same ease or accuracy with FI-SI (for example). Or even with SO-LA in Minor.

[@larryrapshaw8405]

@@MyMusicGenesis I have students and other fellow musician friends. I will ask around. To me, a Major 2nd is easily recognizable no matter where it is. I could also think of interval in context as tho I am reading words and how the letters function within each word.

[@MyMusicGenesis]

@@larryrapshaw8405 No, a Major 2nd is not easily recognizable no matter where it is. If it was, everybody who had intervals in class and lessons would know them. They do not. Students have to learn audiation skills before theoretical labels will stick.