NickLayton
New member
Theory and technique are both only tools in the quest for self expression, not ends in and of themselves.
Theory, Creativity, Technique
- Thread starter alzidaney
- Start date
bluepowder
New member
Well,
Frankly I think ppl are still unclear on what Theory and Creativity are..
TO ME:
Theory is not a bunch of all the scales and modes u can learn...i think thats the biggest problem,when guitarists start out they see an instructional or someone tells them abt scales and tahts it....they learn and learn and learn scales....i think thats just stupid....
similarly with chords...
if ur gonna learn chords learn the reason why such a chord is made and where it wld be used....how it wld be used in a chord progression...I am still in this process myself...
As for scales...well just pick one scale and see how long ur gonna take to master it...then move on....i see a lot of guitarist switchin on a metronome and playin the scales up and down day and night...not bad to know the scale....but u cant use it.....
As for creativity....
i think the whole definition bypasses any scope for it being defined
tahts what creativity is...a perception of expression...
every player is creative and has a process goin...its upto someone to believe whether its creative or not...
IMO slash was one of the most creative guitarists ever for his use of melodies in such a commercial sense...as for the songs...i dont believe axl was responsible for a lot fo what slash played....and defly not the solos
I think one definitely needs atleast a basic idea of theory before being creative...I refuse to believe otherwise
Frankly I think ppl are still unclear on what Theory and Creativity are..
TO ME:
Theory is not a bunch of all the scales and modes u can learn...i think thats the biggest problem,when guitarists start out they see an instructional or someone tells them abt scales and tahts it....they learn and learn and learn scales....i think thats just stupid....
similarly with chords...
if ur gonna learn chords learn the reason why such a chord is made and where it wld be used....how it wld be used in a chord progression...I am still in this process myself...
As for scales...well just pick one scale and see how long ur gonna take to master it...then move on....i see a lot of guitarist switchin on a metronome and playin the scales up and down day and night...not bad to know the scale....but u cant use it.....
As for creativity....
i think the whole definition bypasses any scope for it being defined
tahts what creativity is...a perception of expression...every player is creative and has a process goin...its upto someone to believe whether its creative or not...
IMO slash was one of the most creative guitarists ever for his use of melodies in such a commercial sense...as for the songs...i dont believe axl was responsible for a lot fo what slash played....and defly not the solos
I think one definitely needs atleast a basic idea of theory before being creative...I refuse to believe otherwise
Cheez
Moderator
People seems to think theory are just learning how to read notes, play scales/modes, a few sharp and flats, know a few keys etc.
May I add that that's the rudiments of theory - it's not even close to what theory is all about.
Music theory shapes what music is supposed to be and what it's not supposed to do. There may be some rules which seem to "restrict", but dis-regard the rules and the sound will actually come out worse. These "restrictions" can be bypassed - by more theory if applied correctly.
In theory, we don't just learn chords - we learn how chords work with one another, how they progress from one to another, what progression should not be done, how each notes in a chord is arranged when you play the progression so as not to cause problems in the sound; we learn how to write melodic lines that makes sense, how to put music to words so the song comes out alive; we learn the different possibilities in creating different colour to arrangements and how different instruments can be played together so as to bring out the theme, what instrument should be playing what at different times (instead of every instrument trying to "solo" and make a total mess of the piece); we learn creative ways to modulate from one key to another; we learn unusual chords... and this is only scratching the surface. There's counterpoint, harmony, arragement etc etc etc. Tell me that's not going to help in creativity....
But I do agree that by itself, if not applied, may mean nothing.
May I add that that's the rudiments of theory - it's not even close to what theory is all about.
Music theory shapes what music is supposed to be and what it's not supposed to do. There may be some rules which seem to "restrict", but dis-regard the rules and the sound will actually come out worse. These "restrictions" can be bypassed - by more theory if applied correctly.
In theory, we don't just learn chords - we learn how chords work with one another, how they progress from one to another, what progression should not be done, how each notes in a chord is arranged when you play the progression so as not to cause problems in the sound; we learn how to write melodic lines that makes sense, how to put music to words so the song comes out alive; we learn the different possibilities in creating different colour to arrangements and how different instruments can be played together so as to bring out the theme, what instrument should be playing what at different times (instead of every instrument trying to "solo" and make a total mess of the piece); we learn creative ways to modulate from one key to another; we learn unusual chords... and this is only scratching the surface. There's counterpoint, harmony, arragement etc etc etc. Tell me that's not going to help in creativity....
But I do agree that by itself, if not applied, may mean nothing.
Indigo_blues
New member
agree with what bluepowder and cheez have said.. Music like everything else is governed by a set of rules.. we need to know at least what the rules are before we can start breaking the rules.. :lol:
Cheez
Moderator
I think the problem is many theory teachers made theory boring and "theoretical". Despite the name, theory is actually very practical. Many theory teachers made it sound like i'ts one of those things that we just have to do - no choice. That creates a group of people (probably majority) who thinks theory is boring etc and they in turn spread the same sentiments to the rest of those who don't take theory. Result - a total misunderstanding and wrong idea of what theory is or is meant to be.
I'm glad I got a good theory teacher - my, that was eons ago. But I can still remember how he sings each note in a chord and links everything together (humming here and there) when teaching me harmony. After a while, I caught on his "humming" and could slowly hear 4 melody lines going independently and simultneously in my head while writing harmony. When I start, it was rules (no running octaves, no parallel fifths etc etc). But then it became real and actually very practical.
I only hope there are more good theory teachers out there that don't spoil the image of what theory and what it is all about.
I'm glad I got a good theory teacher - my, that was eons ago. But I can still remember how he sings each note in a chord and links everything together (humming here and there) when teaching me harmony. After a while, I caught on his "humming" and could slowly hear 4 melody lines going independently and simultneously in my head while writing harmony. When I start, it was rules (no running octaves, no parallel fifths etc etc). But then it became real and actually very practical.
I only hope there are more good theory teachers out there that don't spoil the image of what theory and what it is all about.
theory : u are getting introduced to swimming.
technique : u are now trying to swim.
creativity : u r trying to be funny now, trying doggiestyle, and how to stay submerged to peep at girls. and how to swim the breadth of the pool without surfacing for a second gasp of oxygen, haha.
Of course, brothers here who were self taught swimmers(or rather non-drowners) must have realised somehow, ascompared to those coached students, we tend to swim a bit slower, our improper strokes are kinda clumsy. but heck, stil can stay afloat its all that matters.
so, heck, jus whack lar and laff at ourself whenever we make mistakes lor.
peace.
technique : u are now trying to swim.
creativity : u r trying to be funny now, trying doggiestyle, and how to stay submerged to peep at girls. and how to swim the breadth of the pool without surfacing for a second gasp of oxygen, haha.
Of course, brothers here who were self taught swimmers(or rather non-drowners) must have realised somehow, ascompared to those coached students, we tend to swim a bit slower, our improper strokes are kinda clumsy. but heck, stil can stay afloat its all that matters.
so, heck, jus whack lar and laff at ourself whenever we make mistakes lor.
peace.
Cheez
Moderator
"Just wack" is one solution. But then that swimmer will only be able to swim that far before getting tired or leg cramps. He can only swim that fast. If his happy with that, it's perfectly OK. I'm OK with that view point as well. Some people just want to float and enjoy the water. It is a perfectly legitimate reason.
However, if people want to swim the extra mile and faster than others, then learning some important strokes will help.
However, if people want to swim the extra mile and faster than others, then learning some important strokes will help.
NickLayton
New member
I enjoy studying and experimenting with theoretical concepts, but only if it helps me make music. In other words, it must be useful.
But you really have to dive in and find out what is useful for you. That takes work. Most people who claim theory is unimportant really just don't want to do the work.
But you really have to dive in and find out what is useful for you. That takes work. Most people who claim theory is unimportant really just don't want to do the work.
MikePhilippov
New member
NickLayton said:
Well said Nick.
The more tools you have the more creative you can be in my opinion. It is important however to learn HOW and WHEN to use the appropriate tools.
Mike.
NickLayton
New member
You got it bro!
