Does anybody here understands music theory? When I was little I used to play the violin, but I stopped around 11 years old. I am thinking of learning how to play some instrument again, it sounds really fun. The thing is I can't remember much about music theory at all. There is also this dread inside me, that learning about music theory could "rationalize" music and make it less enjoyable. Like how some people lose enjoyment in doing things after studying about it. Like art school students. Is this irrational? Moreover, let this be the music theory thread, that we converse about it and teach one another.
>>2829 I think to play you only need to know enough music theory to read the notation? Beyond that it's just stuff trying to formalize a framework to understand music that you'll never use in practice anyway. Like different temperaments, scales, etc. But I can't play anything, so take with a grain of salt.
I learned a bit of music theory while taking piano lessons. What you need to know boils down to notation, note division, time signatures, and a few Italian words. >Is this irrational? Yes. You will not be able to systematically compose anything worthwhile with just the above information.
>The thing is I can't remember much about music theory at all. Hi anon. Just learn the scales (begin with the chromatic one to learn all the notes a piano -- and most instruments too -- has and then learn the major and minor scales so you can play most songs), chords (this is useful for playing modern music because most is mostly based on chords, chords are just a bunch of notes) and notation (so you can read music sheets, you need the previous two to be able to read music notation well and get the most out of it). That is enough to play any music without taking the fun out of it. Scales, chords and notation just tell you what key (or key combination) to press on your instrument and when; you can use that knowledge to play any song you like on whatever instrument you want to. It won't rationalize music, it will just tell you how to play it using an instrument and I am sure that is what you want. I mean, you always could just look for video tutorials on how to play a song you like on guitar or piano if that is what you want.
>>2848 https://musictheory.pugetsound.edu/mt21c/MusicTheory.html ch 1-6 (triads) covers what above anon said and is the minimum to understand and appreciate music on a deeper level than just playing notes you read off sheet music like a robot. it also helps with composition if you're into that. ch 7-9 are useful too. you don't really need the rest, unless you are interested in specific topics >Is this irrational? yes you are irrational. stop being a panzy
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