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Ask HN: How Can I Learn Music Theory?

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Re: Ask HN: How Can I Learn Music Theory?

#42

Post by zozbot234 »

LessDmesg wrote: post #39
zozbot234 wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Here's how I approach it: forget about all the historic naming like "perfect fifths" and just think in terms of the modern 12-note equal temperament. You actually want to learn these names, because they characterize the diatonic scale. Basically, pick seven contiguous notes on the circle of fifths, you get the pitch-class set of a diatonic scale. Then put the notes in the set in pitch order, and pick a tonal center…

Yes, the names are important for "interop" reasons and yes, historically they mattered because the temperament was different and C# was totally different from Db. And yes, not all modern music is based on the 12-note equal temp. But for a beginner , I would advocate avoiding them and thinking in terms of semi-tones as I've described. It's simpler, and it's the way guitars and pianos and DAWs and whatnot work, so it's…

> But for a beginner, I would advocate avoiding them and thinking in terms of semi-tones as I've described.

For a total beginner, I might agree. But thinking about the scale degrees (Do, Re, Mi etc.) is also a totally viable approach (even as a starting point), and it's extremely helpful to learn about how the two relate ASAP so you aren't left holding a mess of seemingly-contradictory "theories" in your head!

Re: Ask HN: How Can I Learn Music Theory?

#43

Post by einr »

wazoox wrote: post #40

I recommend that you follow Kent Hewitt (piano), Adam Neely (bass) and Rick Beato (guitar) on Youtube. They all talk about various aspect of music theory, composition, etc. Kent Hewitt is providing more of a full-blown online jazz course, Rick Beato makes incredibly interesting analyses of songs of all style (mostly rock) but also talks a lot about scales, harmony, improvising, etc. Adam Neely is all over the place :…

Also recommended:

8-bit Music Theory (theory & analysis of video game music in an easy to digest format)

12-tone (all over the place but always interesting, dissects popular songs sometimes and also gets into some very weird fringes)

Re: Ask HN: How Can I Learn Music Theory?

#47

Post by orange8 »

nspeller wrote: post #7

I wrote a course on it! https://www.lightnote.co/ It's a bunch of short, interactive lessons to help you visualize the concepts. Still going strong after about 3 years now. If you check it out, I'd love to hear your feedback.

Looks like exactly what i've been looking for, thank you!

Re: Ask HN: How Can I Learn Music Theory?

#49

Post by pmoriarty »

jongold wrote: post #29

The most important thing is to relate the theory you learn back to your instrument, and to use your ears as much as your brain. I have a hunch that so many of my engineer friends are musicians because music theory is happily systematic - it reminds me a lot of category theory & FP. It meshes perfectly with my brain at least - but just knowing theory without feeling it is useless. Learn to feel.

"music theory is happily systematic"

Funny, when I tried multiple times to learn music theory it seemed very unsystematic to me, and more like the result of hundreds of years of accretion by lots of people who thought their own way and did not have any kind of coherent, overarching system or vision in mind.

If it was more systematic it would have been a whole lot easier to learn.

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