Basic Music Theory: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music

Basic Music Theory

If you like grunge rock, get the best there is and listen to it. If you like

speed metal, find the best and listen to it. If you like classical music,

find the best symphony orchestras under the best conductors and listen

to them. I could go on, but I’m sure you get the idea. Find the best.

And the best is simply what you like best. Don’t give up. There is so

much music out there that most of it will do nothing for you. But on

the other hand, there is so much music out there, you’re bound to find

something you love to hear. And you’ll love to play it, too. Keep your

ears out and wide open.

How to Get Better

Beginnings are Delicate Times

If you’re a beginner, it’s essential to take things slowly. As a beginner

you’re trying to get the hang of a very complex task that involves many

different and difficult skills, and it takes time. Stick with it. You’ll get it.

I have never run into someone who has said, “Gee, I’m sure glad I quit

playing my guitar/clarinet/trumpet/piano.” It’s always the opposite.

Tack up encouraging notes to yourself. On my desk I have a fortune

cookie message which says, “Be persistent and you will win.”

As a beginner, your playing sessions might be ten to fifteen minutes,

three or four times a week. The less you play, the longer it will take to get

better. Remember this. It seems very common sense, but I see it all the

time with new students—playing is difficult and unfamiliar at first so

they don’t play much or not at all and it remains difficult and unfamiliar

and frustrating.

The less you play, the longer it will take to get better. There is no

getting around this. Once a week will simply not cut it. Of course it’s

better than nothing, but it’s too easy to forget all that information over a

week’s time and when you get back to your instrument, very little will

have changed. This will be very frustrating. Avoid frustration by playing

more often.

Play as long as you can, but don’t push it too hard. Remember that the

best indication of when it’s time to stop is your frustration/boredom