Re: Newbie to music theory has a couple of questions

On Sat, 4 Apr 2009 08:52:25 -0700 (PDT), neo geo <geozipper@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

music is to be played. that being the case, i would say, PLAY, PLAY,
PLAY, solo or with your fiance & learn what works for you. trust your
ear.

also, since you are basically learning an instrument, most of what you
need to learn are fingerings, the actual motor ability to make the
notes sound, the positionings, etc...

you can pick up knowledge of scales, chords & the basic of music (like
what I-IV-V is) from any music book in your library. you don't have
to pay hundreds of dollars for a community music course that might, in
the course of laying on all this theory on you, snuff out your passion
for wanting to express yourself thru sound.

Funny, it's improved my musical passion, tested me to my limits,
pushed me past them, and pointed me in directions I wouldn't have
thought of on my own, or known I could even try for. All because of
the teachers I've had, not so much the books they teach from. One
teacher can change your life, I have six who've made all the
difference in the world.

As for expense, when I compare what I've spent on classes ($20 a unit
in California, plus books, fees, and private teacher) is a drop in the
bucket compared to what I would have spent for the same lower division
classes at a university. It's been worth every penny I've spent so
far. Some of the expenses can be lowered by simply going online to
search for your books. Abebooks, Alibris, and yes, even Amazon, and
Ebay are your friends.

For example, when I compare a three unit class ($60, and 16 weeks of
class) to what I would pay a private teacher for 16 weeks of study, I
also come way out ahead in the value/dollar curve.

I've yet to meet anyone who's said that learning more about the
subject they love has turned them off to it. Sometimes the learning
experience can be like drinking from a fire hose, but it's *never*
wasted.

primitive tribes banged on drum animal skins & blew thru pipes made
from animal bones... they didn't need to know about the overtone
series for instance in order to make some meaningful communal music.

From which has evolved everything from your local folk music clubs to
the great symphonies of the world.

which all music is: a communal experience.

It's best as a communal experience, true.

as you immerse yourself in playing & playing with other musicians, you
will pick up the theory of the practice.

That depends on who you're learning from. Some teachers never touch
on the why, only focusing on what, how, and "do as I do."

just keep playing. have fun !

Always remember what makes you enjoy music so much, too.

Karen R.
.

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