Are you among those who've ever tried to learn a musical instrument, perhaps during your school years or later in life when you discovered that strumming a guitar could be a great social icebreaker? Maybe you wanted to assist your child with their music homework but felt overwhelmed by the complexity of music theory.
Some people joke that music theory is only slightly less complicated than rocket science.
Let me assure you, I'm not a rocket scientist.
But I am a passionate music teacher and multi-instrumentalist with over 20 years of experience teaching hundreds of enthusiastic students. My journey into music theory wasn't always smooth sailing. I know first-hand how challenging it can be when it's taught in a dry and incomprehensible manner, devoid of real-world application.
My own experiences as a student at Daugavpils College of Music in Latvia were marked by a strong aversion to Solfeggio and Music Harmony. The teaching methods were outdated, and the joy of learning was sorely missing. However, after two decades of performing and teaching music, I have a clear perspective on which aspects of music theory are essential for beginners and how to make them applicable right away.
So, let's dive right in.
Understanding Pitch and Rhythm: These two are the primary characteristics of sound in music theory. Pitch refers to the height of a note, and rhythm indicates the lengths of the notes.
Mastering the Musical Alphabet: In Western music, we only use 7 notes – ABCDEFG. Some notes are higher, some are lower. It's similar to playing a ruler at school: a longer ruler produces a lower sound, and a shorter one gives a higher sound. This concept is reflected in the way we write notes on a music sheet.
Measuring Note Lengths with Beats: Instead of seconds, we use beats to measure the duration of a note. This approach allows us to adjust the speed of a piece, enabling us to count faster or slower.
Once you grasp these basics, you can venture into more advanced concepts such as intervals, chords, and scales, which explain the relationships between two or more notes.
Remember, the key to mastering music theory is immediate application. Produce sounds, listen to them, sing them, and relate them to music you know.
If your expensive music teacher isn't covering these basics while teaching you an instrument, it's a sign you might need to switch gears. Perhaps it's time to consider a more self-directed approach, like picking up a book from the 'Understand The Music' series.
My first book, 'Lesson Rhythm and Pitch' costs a bit more than a cup of coffee but delivers invaluable insights into music theory, complete with supporting videos where I showcase practical examples.
Typically, blog posts would compare several books, but honestly, I've found no other resource that explains music theory in such an accessible, engaging, and enjoyable manner.
Don't let the perceived complexity of music theory deter you. With 'Understand The Music Theory Book 1,' you'll remove the veil of uncertainty shrouding your musical aspirations.
Now, the answer. No. You can't avoid learning music theory. But you can choose to enjoy learning it!
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Keep the rhythm alive!
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