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Post by happydragonite on Jan 23, 2015 23:04:57 GMT -5
This is a thread about piano theory, and our experiences (or lack thereof) and opinions if we have 'em. Sometimes theory doesn't work for everyone, but I think we can all agree knowing why you do the things you do with a piano, and why those are great foundations to any musical education is super important! Have any books, or resources that explained something well, or helped you play piano better? Any fun theory facts that you think not a ton of people would know? Share 'em!
If you are new to piano, welcome to our discussion on theory! If you want any help, or have any questions, don't be afraid to ask because we were all new to it at some point too! This thread is all about deeper education into one of the coolest instruments ever, so lets all learn and discuss together! Hopefully this thread can be inclusive to both newcomers to the art of piano, and oldies alike!
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shadowlucario50
PokéMusic Grunt
Currently Working On: Desperation Piano Medley
Posts: 39 
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Post by shadowlucario50 on Jan 23, 2015 23:22:33 GMT -5
Let's begin by first discussing some positives of the piano. One great positive is that you can play multiple chords to see what works and what doesn't. Hearing the chords on piano makes it easier to separate them amongst the instruments than just separately putting them together then listening to the result. Pianos also give a great visual to beginners of what keys play what notes, which helps others figure out what each note sounds like. Those are two things I love about the piano.
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Post by Hydra1520 on Jan 23, 2015 23:23:43 GMT -5
I have been using FL studio for about 2 years now but I am just starting to learn how to actually play piano until now. I really want to learn more about music theory and am even considering taking classes on it. I just don't know where to start learning and stuff. If you guys know any ways that are pretty good for somewhat beginners, I would so appreciate it if you shared.
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shadowlucario50
PokéMusic Grunt
Currently Working On: Desperation Piano Medley
Posts: 39
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Post by shadowlucario50 on Jan 23, 2015 23:28:11 GMT -5
I have been using FL studio for about 2 years now but I am just starting to learn how to actually play piano until now. I really want to learn more about music theory and am even considering taking classes on it. I just don't know where to start learning and stuff. If you guys know any ways that are pretty good for somewhat beginners, I would so appreciate it if you shared. . It will go over some musical tips you already know, but it will apply how to use the piano in these courses. Good luck, Hydra! |
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Post by EternalSushi on Jan 24, 2015 0:51:37 GMT -5
There's always some standard tips to make your stuff sound better (under the right circumstances), like 7th chords, 9th chords etc for jazz and whatnot.
The most painful thing I experience with most of my themes is that sometimes, it gets raised up a key or two and I can't modulate it back to normal before the loop point. It annoys me so badly xD
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Post by TheGuitahHeroe on Jan 24, 2015 3:11:29 GMT -5
I've never been a music theory buff and I don't intend to ever be...while I agree that music theory can certainly help to create a mood that you might have been puzzled as to how to create otherwise, I've always been a strictly 'feel' composer. I just think that following any sort of "rules" when it comes to composing music will almost definitely rob a piece of its luster and its personality. As humans, we compose music for other humans...we don't feed our "perfectly" composed sheets of music into some supercomputer to fuel it or something. I personally think that the value, and therefore general enjoyability, of a piece will be improved not by music theory, but by the artist's creativity and competence in deciding whether their own work sounds good. And that comes more from listening to other pieces of music than anything else. Feedback (the good kind) plays a big part as well. And the same goes for producing. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you want to become a better musician, listening, rather than attempting to create, is the way to go in my opinion.  |
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Post by briman0094 on Jan 24, 2015 3:35:15 GMT -5
There's always some standard tips to make your stuff sound better (under the right circumstances), like 7th chords, 9th chords etc for jazz and whatnot. The most painful thing I experience with most of my themes is that sometimes, it gets raised up a key or two and I can't modulate it back to normal before the loop point. It annoys me so badly xD That exact problem happened to me in my Trainer Battle music for my fangame! I can't remember exactly where I key-change up and I for-the-most-part suck at technical theory, but I change back down at 0:49-0:53, which I thought sounded a bit awkward but nobody in my music theory said anything so I guess it wasn't too awkward. I've never been a music theory buff and I don't intend to ever be...while I agree that music theory can certainly help to create a mood that you might have been puzzled as to how to create otherwise, I've always been a strictly 'feel' composer. I just think that following any sort of "rules" when it comes to composing music will almost definitely rob a piece of its luster and its personality. As humans, we compose music for other humans...we don't feed our "perfectly" composed sheets of music into some supercomputer to fuel it or something. I personally think that the value, and therefore general enjoyability, of a piece will be improved not by music theory, but by the artist's creativity and competence in deciding whether their own work sounds good. And that comes more from listening to other pieces of music than anything else. Feedback (the good kind) plays a big part as well. And the same goes for producing. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you want to become a better musician, listening, rather than attempting to create, is the way to go in my opinion. Amen, I say to you. I'm taking a music theory class right now as an elective and it definitely helps a ton for when you get stuck, but I started composing before taking it and I write music just like you said - by how it feels. I picture an environment in my head and let a melody develop until I think it sounds good, then I arrange it with some basic instruments and tweak it until it sounds better. I'll usually listen to other similar songs too in order to get inspired. |
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Post by lala19357 on Jan 24, 2015 4:39:29 GMT -5
I've never been a music theory buff and I don't intend to ever be...while I agree that music theory can certainly help to create a mood that you might have been puzzled as to how to create otherwise, I've always been a strictly 'feel' composer. I just think that following any sort of "rules" when it comes to composing music will almost definitely rob a piece of its luster and its personality. As humans, we compose music for other humans...we don't feed our "perfectly" composed sheets of music into some supercomputer to fuel it or something. I personally think that the value, and therefore general enjoyability, of a piece will be improved not by music theory, but by the artist's creativity and competence in deciding whether their own work sounds good. And that comes more from listening to other pieces of music than anything else. Feedback (the good kind) plays a big part as well. And the same goes for producing. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you want to become a better musician, listening, rather than attempting to create, is the way to go in my opinion. Well said - I believe that theory is there to serve as a guide, but for those of you that have written any sort of counterpoint or 4 part harmony know that rules just become ridiculous and tedious after a while. Music is about creativity, and while it is great to know the foundations for progressions, adhering too much to them will strip you of the opportunity to create your own style. That being said, I still think it is important to be willing to explore the rules that are out there. Having no concept of a key or rhythm could be problematic, haha! Who knows, the rules may even open your eyes to new possibilities musically. |
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Post by ribby on Jan 24, 2015 7:28:14 GMT -5
Basically what Lala and TGH just said. I play piano a lot and use it for composing stuff too (mainly with my keyboard though, been thinking of buying a MIDI keyboard rather soon). I don't know much about theory though and I don't think that I need it for composing songs or playing stuff. I think I should study at least a bit of it though if I ever intend to work on music in the future.
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Post by Ludwig van Larx on Jan 24, 2015 10:43:18 GMT -5
I've never been a music theory buff and I don't intend to ever be...while I agree that music theory can certainly help to create a mood that you might have been puzzled as to how to create otherwise, I've always been a strictly 'feel' composer. I just think that following any sort of "rules" when it comes to composing music will almost definitely rob a piece of its luster and its personality. As humans, we compose music for other humans...we don't feed our "perfectly" composed sheets of music into some supercomputer to fuel it or something. I personally think that the value, and therefore general enjoyability, of a piece will be improved not by music theory, but by the artist's creativity and competence in deciding whether their own work sounds good. And that comes more from listening to other pieces of music than anything else. Feedback (the good kind) plays a big part as well. And the same goes for producing. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you want to become a better musician, listening, rather than attempting to create, is the way to go in my opinion. Well said - I believe that theory is there to serve as a guide, but for those of you that have written any sort of counterpoint or 4 part harmony know that rules just become ridiculous and tedious after a while. Music is about creativity, and while it is great to know the foundations for progressions, adhering too much to them will strip you of the opportunity to create your own style. That being said, I still think it is important to be willing to explore the rules that are out there. Having no concept of a key or rhythm could be problematic, haha! Who knows, the rules may even open your eyes to new possibilities musically. What Lala and TGH said. I'd say it's just a guide and that you should always use your ear to compose/arrange, although I do think there are a few useful aspects of music theory that should always be taken into consideration, especially modulation because stuff usually gets rough around that area. lol But for the record, species counterpoint and 4-part harmony are the worst things ever. We've been doing 4-part harmony since the end of last semester into the beginning of this semester and it's so limiting. lol And next class we'll be talking about 7th chords in 4-part harmony and I feel like it's just going to get worse. :-| We can thank J.S. Bach for that.  |
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Post by happydragonite on Jan 24, 2015 13:22:10 GMT -5
Well said - I believe that theory is there to serve as a guide, but for those of you that have written any sort of counterpoint or 4 part harmony know that rules just become ridiculous and tedious after a while. Music is about creativity, and while it is great to know the foundations for progressions, adhering too much to them will strip you of the opportunity to create your own style. That being said, I still think it is important to be willing to explore the rules that are out there. Having no concept of a key or rhythm could be problematic, haha! Who knows, the rules may even open your eyes to new possibilities musically. What Lala and TGH said. I'd say it's just a guide and that you should always use your ear to compose/arrange, although I do think there are a few useful aspects of music theory that should always be taken into consideration, especially modulation because stuff usually gets rough around that area. lol But for the record, species counterpoint and 4-part harmony are the worst things ever. We've been doing 4-part harmony since the end of last semester into the beginning of this semester and it's so limiting. lol And next class we'll be talking about 7th chords in 4-part harmony and I feel like it's just going to get worse. :-| We can thank J.S. Bach for that. I have nothing to add because between all of you in this quote you guys are 100% yes. Awesome discussion! |
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