what's simplest way to learn the theory behind music. By attending a collage course in music or?

Answer 1

Music theory can be a complicated sounding subject, and a good college instructor would help explain it better, but the second best place to learn would be instruments. Get classically trained on strings (especially piano and guitar), brass (probably tuba or sousaphone, and trumpet), woodwind (best to hit high and low, try flute and bari sax), and percussion (set, but also symphonic) and you'll have a solid grasp of the whole.

Answer 2

The simplest way? I found it hard to learn in school. Only because once they go through a certain amount of material, they move on to something else. You are limited in your learning if you didn't get it at the time they taught it.
I studied it on my own. I know it only because I didn't move on until I got it and I could take my time or move on to things I knew I didn't know.
You could take a correspondance course and go at your own pace. A course that is established is a good idea because they take steps that you might miss if you go your own way.
Good luck! Music theory is a language. The language can change your mood, promote pictures in your mind, make you take that challenge... so forth and so on... You can learn it, you're not born with it. Mozart studied while young. OK he had a knack, doesn't mean you can't learn it. The little dude could write a symphony with out even picking up an instrument... how good is that?
My biggest challenge is time signatures and durations. I'm a big fan of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. They amaze me but write everything they play. Joe can sit down and play what he sees. It's important to know if you want to write or make a living playing. Some people get by without learning. Stevie Ray Vaughn didn't know theory. He died in a plane crash. Maybe if he had learned, he would be here today... think about it!

Answer 3

Ok, just learn the "mechanics" behind the theory. See, everything in modern music theory is really just based off the major scale.

Think of it like this: The major scale is a stairway with two groups of stairs being only half the height as the other groups. Each octave is a complete stairwell or "story", if you will.

All the modes are based off of the major scale. If you can imagine the stairway as an escalator, you can imagine modes. The "escalator" just either moves up or down, replacing the existing step with the one either before or after it. So, if your aolian mode was 2,2,1,2,2,2,1..... then your next mode (dorian) becomes 2,1,2,2,2,1,2...... the escalator just went down a step. That was easy.

"Synthetic" modes are just NOT based directly from the major scale. But, to tell you a secret, they still ARE. They just mix and match modes. If you look at what makes a mode unique in comparison to it's major counterpart, and "add" it to a mode that has a similar uniqueness, but it still different, you get a synthetic mode. Like this: Lydian = 2,2,2,1,2,2,1.... Dominant=2,2,1,2,2,1,2..
Therefore, Lydian Dominant= 2,2,2,1 + 2,1,2 or 2,2,2,1,2,1,2
It's just that easy.

Chords are easy, too. You have 4 types. That's it! Major, minor, augmented, and diminished. They all have a "build" type. Major = 2,1.5 steps.... minor = 1.5, 2 steps...... Augmented = 2,2 steps...... diminished = 1.5,1.5 steps. Just put them with their root (beginning) note, and Voila!, you have a chord of that type. The extensions are easy too. Just remember that all common notation type of chord extentions are considered mixolydian, or b7. Anytime a major 7 extention is added, it is specified as major. All others are mixolydian.
Example: C7= C,E,G,Bb..... C Maj7 = C,E,G,B
That's it. For anything larger than a 7, the 7 is added to it.
Example: G9=G,B,D,F,A
The number of the extension is just the number of the note it represents away from the root. G plus 9 scale notes = A.

That is basically theory in a nutshell. Sure, there is a lot more to learn, but if you just understand that all things are related to all other things tonally in music, you will be able to figure everything else out on your own.

Hope that helps,
Jon

Answer 4

What, specifically, do you want to learn? What prompted this question? Did someone tell you that you need to "learn some theory," or do you have a goal in mind? Do you want to be able to improvise chords behind a melody, or just read music, or write down your own compositions? It's hard to answer your question without knowing what you have in mind.

I believe that the piano is the best way to learn basic music. Also, learn to sight sing. Check with a music store, community college, or private teacher for group or private lessons. If you take private lessons, be sure that your teacher understands what your goals are. Music theory is a fascinating and complex subject--it is the "why and how" behind the "what."

Answer 5

Depends upon which music---e.g. classical music has its own grammar and theory and structural guidelines. Same with Jazz, with African music, indian music etc.

Best way is to study Grove's Music--they have been publishing the music encylopedia for a long time and every year or so, bring out a new edition. It is a comprehensive guide to learning the history and structure of every kind of music.

Also, go to your library and pick out from the section of CD's entitled "Music Interpretation" or "Music Appreciation"

But remember, you can learn all the theory of music, the critical thing is enjoy it , and know why you enjoy it.

Answer 6

a million. I do not feel there was any decline of tune in any respect. If there used to be, it used to be throughout the 60's and 70's whilst predominant genres that persons loved like Blues, Jazz, Swing, Classical, and so forth. started to be overshadowed by way of Rock getting large. I suppose the ones 2 a long time are dependable for plenty stubbornness and lack of know-how toward and approximately tune in reward society. However, just lately, I suppose tune, (or if now not tune, no less than Rock tune) has been inclining once more when you consider that of ways a lot form the style now encompasses. Everything from Indie Rock to Black Metal continues to be Rock and nonetheless is viewed wellknown tune and I've spotted that when you consider that persons begin to hear a form of Rock genres, they're going to finally develop into many different genres too. two. Classical Music refers extra to a time interval than a style of tune. According to Wikipedia, it all started within the ninth century. I suppose present Classical tune is tune that emulates or attracts suggestion best from tune from earlier than the 1930's. I additionally do not suppose it is feasible to create tune with the, as you name it, "'cutting-edge' pop/rock/and so forth.-esque instrumentation" reminiscent of electrical guitars (adding bass) and drums when you consider that the ones devices were not utilized in mainstream tune earlier than the 1900s. I'll develop extra in this in four. three. Classical and mainstream don't seem to be detailed opposites. Not even near. Mainstream tune presently refers to any style of Rock, Hip-Hop, or Pop. Even all the ones "underground" bands and rappers that all of the cool web children drive down peoples' throats are a lot more mainstream than that Funk band from the 70's I've on no account heard of. Probably way to the web, musicians of those genres are capable to put it on the market and make themselves recognized and wellknown. four. Classical Music used to be mainstream two hundred years in the past. Classical is ALWAYS out of date in society when you consider that it is what got here earlier than what exists now. two hundred years from now, Classical tune will more commonly comprise the mainstream tune that exists now. five. I suppose this has constantly been the case. You particularly are not looking for that many keys to make tune. Lots of cutting-edge bands more commonly difference chords extra quite often than many classical composers that wrote complete portions situated round a unmarried chord. It's simply what tune is. Thrash til' Death - Beethoven used to be mainstream within the early nineteenth century.

Answer 7

who cares about theory...just feel it and develop your own theory as to WHY you feel it the way you do...then change it to keep people confused...then go teach what you've learned....then you realize there is a theory for everything and everyone...even if you did develop the theory yourself...rest assured - someone will call you wrong no matter what theory you proposed...but you may make it into some publications in the process...music on my friend!

Answer 8

my music just comes to me. just play what you feel, there is not really a theory unless you want there to be one. if you mean notes, you might have to see someone.