Re: What is enough theory for amateur musicians?
Lawson Stone ( lstone@uky.campus.mci.net )
Sat, 07 Dec 1996 09:31:24 +0000
Fabio Rojas wrote:
>
> How much theory should someone an amateur know?
>
> Aside from being an interesting question, it pertains to me.
> I'm a student who is taking jazz thoery and improvistaion
> at my school. The instructor recommended to me (and all his
> students) that they should know the equivalent of a
> first year course in harmony. I'm not a music major and
> have never taken a music class before this, and I'll probably
> only have enough time in my schedule to take the jazz class.
> On the other hand, I'm willing to study independently and
> work at it.
>
I'm an amateur myself. I have played around with guitars for 35 years,
but only been serious in the last 6, which are my sole experience in
jazz. Given that a good ear, decent technique, lots of listening, etc.
are essential, I just don't think there is a such thing as "enough"
musical knowledge. I don't like to call it theory; it isn't some
abstract, bloodless thing. It's how music work. Theory is what takes you
from learning one lick or phrase from a recording and realizing the
other places you can use it. E.g. learning a Db Pentatonic lick, and
realizing you can use it over a G7alt chord. You could learn that from
experience, but you get it faster from the right kind of theory.
I think the kind of theory we discuss on this list is exactly what we
amateurs need. It is applied theory that enables us to be extemporaneous
arrangers. Reed has also encouraged the practise of writing out solos. I
am trying that using jazz style blues changes as a framework and
experimenting with single concepts like hitting guidetones on certain
beats, using approach notes, arpeggios, etc.
This list also stresses transcribing, something I haven't tried yet. I
think that transcribing would also be a great way to learn
theory-as-playing. You know the changes of a tune, you listen to a great
solo until you can practically sing it; then you see what the notes
really are. All that seems to me to be the right approach.
The amateur can't learn by being in all night jam sessions and gigs. We
might actually need the theory more than the pros, who have the benefit
of all that real-worldk playing.
--
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Lawson G. Stone‹Asbury Theological Seminary‹Wilmore, KY 40390
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"You know, a long time ago, being crazy meant something. Nowadays,
everybody's crazy." Charles Manson