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IntoObscurity

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Sep 20, 2002
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I've been playing guitar for a number of years, and I'm really "into" music, I like jazz, classical, metal, etc, and I'm fascinated by the amount of theory work that goes into many Opeth songs, the key changes, the dissonance that sounds amazing(ie-Bleak), things like that. However, I don't know much about theory myself, other than the very basics. I was curious how any of you musicians out there learned your theory? At this time, lessons is not an option as I don't have the time, but if there are any books/good websites that can fully explain basic-advanced theory, I'd appreciate some reccomendations. Thanks:)
 
I know enough theory to confuse most of the people I play with (modal interchange and secondary dominants and stuff) but then there is a lot I don't know and would like to learn. I study music at college and am probably going on to study music technology and music production at university next year.

I don't think Opeth is overly complex theory wise. It sure is far more complex than most music nowadays but a lot of the stuff I listen to is a bit harder to understand. That is in no waying saying it's worse, I think they've got the balance just right so it goes to show theory is only good up to a certain point. Then you really have to use your ears.
 
i'm taking an ap music theory class at my school and i'm telling you just get a hold of a college level textbook. i don't know about other college textbooks, since i'm in high school, but i could probably teach myself this stuff with just that textbook because its so self explanitory...however, if you can't read music then you should probably forget that idea.
 
Many many hours and months with my head in books, and a guitar or piano next to me. Some people I guess will never ever know the benefits and beauty of theory, its a shame, oh well their loss.

If my mother never taught me the right way to wipe my ass, I would be wiping it all wrong and there would be shit all over my ass, and Id be to stubborn to listen to other people telling me I have a sloppy smelly ass...just a lil analogy.
 
FYI I have a life, along with a girlfriend, a job, and a good band..and you?

Dont shit on music theory, ur hero Alexi Laiho would be nothing if he didnt know his phyrgian, hamrmonic minor, or dimished scales, not to mention subtitue harmony. You sure do make a living of putting ur foot in ur mouth, Mr. Im so depressed, I must make a thread every day about it.

thats the last i argue this point...

www.wholenote.com
Its a good site with a very good scale/chord/arpeggio generator. It did wonders for me when I first started getting into theory, and it still helps me out when Im stuck every now and then. Dont be afraid, it doesnt bite.
 
Have to agree with Thorns on this one... There's a lot of good to be said for knowing Music Theory... Sure, you can come up with cool sounding riffs and eventually get multiple riffs sounding good together without knowing Music Theory, but, at the very least, knowing your Theory empowers you to try stuff you wouldn't normally think of... Without Theory, you write a riff and you decide "yeah, that sounds good" or "man, that sounds like shit..." With Theory, you know WHY one riff sounds good and WHY another riff sounds bad... When you know the what and why behind music, you can't help but write better shit... (Not saying this is always the case in reality, but theoretically, it is...)
 
No I just think its ur insecurity problems that make u think I come off as cocky when I speak to you...

And being you insulted my playing, which btw I have never ever insulted yours. Im just going to say I know Im not sloppy, and I really dont have to prove myself. But being that u blatantly insulted me Ill just put myself out here, so heres a lil recording of me. For those here whom have never heard me. Peace.

here

heres another
 
Originally posted by Thorns of Sorrow
:lol: *shrugs* some people dig my playing some people dont, just a fact of life Ive become accustomed to, you cant win em all :)
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Yeah but I like Jason Becker/Marty Friedman (solo and Cacophony/Mega Deth)... Hell, they're two of my greatest influences... *scratches head*
 
excuse me if my improvised solos arent up to par to ur tastes or ability for Ive been playing playing for a mere 3 and a half years. So Im sure someone who has been playing for 10+ years can look at me and "feel good about their own playing" knowing theyve had 7 more years of working out certain kinks. Thats like me looking at the beginners in Sam Ash and "feeling good". Save me whatever personal differences you have with me. And I really never claimed I was Jason Becker, or a soloist (Im a band kind of guy) thank you.

btw If you actually want to hear me play guitar and not mindlessly wank on one take...

Here
 
Theory....

i choose to learn the ideas, not the strict procedures and formulas. This means that with theory ill read things, just once. Ill basically forget all the stuff that gets a bit to formulaic, and just remember the ideas, especially the ones that intrigued me.

Theory is definitely important. For me anyway. I couldnt do half of what i do if id never learnt at least some theory.

And advanced theory can open up your eyes to all new worlds of writing music, once everything else starts to look a bit to formulaic to you. Ive got certain keywords i want to look into later... but im taking my time.

And I really never claimed I was Jason Becker, or a soloist (Im a band kind of guy) thank you.
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Thorns, you talk up your guitar ability more than anyone else here. I imagine its unintentional but you certainly give off the vibe that you think you are the most amazing guitarist. I mean you are good, but so are numerous other guitarists on this board..you just seem to talk more highly of your ability than anyone else does. Let your music do the talking. :p
 
Originally posted by YaYoGakk
Thorns, you talk up your guitar ability more than anyone else here. I imagine its unintentional but you certainly give off the vibe that you think you are the most amazing guitarist. I mean you are good, but so are numerous other guitarists on this board..you just seem to talk more highly of your ability than anyone else does. Let your music do the talking. :p
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Exactly... Truth is, I think you have some good techniques under your belt ToS but to say you don't play sloppy is giving yourself more credit than you are due... THAT and really that alone is why I decided to take the asshole angle (which is not normally my way, heh heh)... SD said you are "sloppy as shit" and I tend to agree with that... (Well, maybe not "as shit" but you get the idea...) It is like you said, learning to play articulate comes with time and practice... I honestly spend more time on playing clear than I do learning arpeggios and other techinques and I still consider myself sloppy and yes, I've been playing for 10+ years... Just be careful what credit you give yourself...

PS. I'd love to hear you do a song with good (better) production... Less room noise, if you know what I mean... (Hearing Guitar strings, fans in the background, etc, is a pet peave of mine... heh heh...) And, yes, I know one of those was a recording of you at Guitar Center or something like that...
 
Points well taken, and yes I dont talk up my playing intentionally, but I can see why people think that I do. Honestly I dont consider myself the most amazing guitar player, its just alot of those questionable posts I have made in the past, are usually made half in jest. Lord knows I cannot take myself seriously in person if I tried haha. Sorry If i mightve came off as a dick, but the whole "mr. I left UM cuz it sucks up my life" schtick people are pulling on me lately is kind of getting old and annoying. I wish I had better recording equiptment, even if I did, I am complete technology idiot, all that software and input jacks, confuses the hell out of me..seriously I am so computer/recording illiterate.

But how can you resist shredding at the guitar center....?
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I prefer the acoustic section hehe, nothing like playing 3000 dollar Taylors and Tacomas :)
 
You all never have to worry about me talking my playing up. I've been playing for more than 5 years, and while I have a good ear for figuring a lot of music out, I absolutely suck at writing anythign more than your generic gothenburg metal tune (and I'm not even great at those).
 
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