Music

[Connemmara]

Well am not going back to the Music Theory but will continue (tonight) with the practising on the piano. Learning about quavers, semi-quavers, when would I need them I have no intention of going in for exams etc. There are about 4 older members of the class who don't go. Hopefully we will trudge along with the notes. I am going to ask the teacher (who looks 14) to start at the beginning - I am now getting the impression that she thinks I know a lot which I don't. A wee girl of about 22 started last week and she has put on to basics - am going to ask for that basic. I do hope I keep this up anyway. Just a wee note on how I am getting on. Obviously one step back. Ah well.

[saxy_jag]

How long have you been playing piano? Because if you've been playing for more than a few weeks then you must surely know that you really do need those quavers and semi-quavers, and everything else that music theory involves, exams or not.

Some day you may wish to compose, adapt or arrange your own music and write it out so that other people can sing/play along with you, or you may wish to transpose something into a key that's easier for you to play. Then you will be grateful for having learned your theory.

Going back to basics is never a bad idea. I've been playing and reading music all my life (I'm in my 50s) and have never done formal theory, so I'm doing it now. I too went right back to basics and am now up to about grade 3 standard. The goal is grade 5 and it doesn't matter how long I take to get there as it's just for me.

[The Builder]

I have to agree with Sax, Connie. I know several people who go to a teacher just to learn "tunes", and not the theory.
Nothing wrong with that of course... great fun.
They are two fundamentally different things. With theory, you learn to play the instrument...... without, you just learn to play tunes.

If you progress well, you may live to regret not having the understanding of how music is composed and interpreted.
Anyway, whatever you do, keep at it :o)))

[Connemmara]

saxyjag will never be able to compose nor desire to do so. I went to the practice on the piano last night and apparently the music theory teacher (young fella) wants me back cos he figures I know more than I give myself credit for . Ah well might go back. Did go back to basics last night - am really going to give it a go because it is London is burning down and plenty of left hand notes. Whilst I played piano years ago the left hand was never "got around to".

[Connemmara]

by the way although I have been on this site for years now - never knew what emoticons. some op gave me a link to them - how do yous all know them. Have looked at yours the builder could not find what it meant o)))

[Sharingan]

Glad you're enjoying in Connemmara, keep it up and you'll drop right back into it I bet. xx

[Connemmara]

thanks Sharingan - but when you are young like you are at 15 - remember the brain is like a sponge soaking information coming their way but when you get older the ould brain turns to cement. so harder to grasp the info.