Re:Ask HN: How Can I Learn Music Theory?
by PaulDavisThe1st on Wednesday December 18, 2019 @03:03PM
(#21828781)
While not incorrect, this is still a woefully limited vision of what scales / sequences of intervals can be.
Start from a tuning system. 12TET (12 tones per octave, equal temperament) would be conventional if you live in a contemporary western culture, but there are others.
Next step: pick a set of intervals (any number, though 4, 6, 7 are common numbers). Congratulations, you have a mode.
Next step: pick a root/tonic. Congratulations, you have a scale.
Next step: play it, over and over and over again till you can do so without thinking about.
Next step: do the above steps again, with different choices. And again, and again, and again ...
Next step: understand the differences in the "feel" of the different intervallic relationships present within the scale.
Next step: understand the impact of presenting these intervallic relationships when ordered in time (i.e. melody, one note after another), or when presented all at once (i.e. harmony, chords)
Then, when you're ready, tackle Music Set Theory: https://ianring.com/musictheory/scales (sadly limited to 12TET tuning, but it's still a fabulous start)
Start from a tuning system. 12TET (12 tones per octave, equal temperament) would be conventional if you live in a contemporary western culture, but there are others.
Next step: pick a set of intervals (any number, though 4, 6, 7 are common numbers). Congratulations, you have a mode.
Next step: pick a root/tonic. Congratulations, you have a scale.
Next step: play it, over and over and over again till you can do so without thinking about.
Next step: do the above steps again, with different choices. And again, and again, and again ...
Next step: understand the differences in the "feel" of the different intervallic relationships present within the scale.
Next step: understand the impact of presenting these intervallic relationships when ordered in time (i.e. melody, one note after another), or when presented all at once (i.e. harmony, chords)
Then, when you're ready, tackle Music Set Theory: https://ianring.com/musictheory/scales (sadly limited to 12TET tuning, but it's still a fabulous start)
Bon Voyage!