Beginner question on music theory.

[Legion]

I just started producing, and I have absolutely no real background in music. I've recently seen many threads on music theory so i have a couple questions:

What is it in a nutshell?
What are the advantages of learning it?

[ChadDub]

Music theory is for old people, you aint need it son.

[Legion]

Music theory is for old people, you aint need it son.

Well that wasnt my question, and wasnt it you that posted a thread about it?

[ChadDub]

Yeah, I'm just kidding. Lack of sleep makes me dizzy.

My thread is probably the easiest way to learn basic music theory. Just read that a few times and put it into practice on whatever instrument you have, and figure it out.

[Foreplay]

Music theory is for old people, you aint need it son.

[Turnipish_Thoughts]

"Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques, across or within genres, styles, or historical periods. In a grand sense, music theory distills and analyzes the fundamental parameters or elements of music—rhythm, harmony (harmonic function), melody, structure, form, texture, etc. Broadly, music theory may include any statement, belief, or conception of or about music."

~ Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_theory. It took me 3 seconds to type "Music Theory" into google.

Be that as it may, all you really need right now if you want to learn the basics of music theory is this: http://www.ravenspiral.com/ravenspiralguide.pdf

Credit goes to WUB for digging this one out of the woodworks

p.s. Also know that music theory was developed through the study of music and musicians and not the other way round, music has always been here as an inherent human expression theory or not. Learning theory helps in a big way as its aim is to provide you with a framework that if understood helps influence and guide smaller ideas into more complex structures. But it shouldn't be entirely relied upon to instill you with magically astounding musical talent. Food for thought.

[krispy]

read this book, helped me understand the mystery

http://books.google.com/books/about/The ... MbuSQdqPMC

[GRAYSKALE]

I just started producing, and I have absolutely no real background in music. I've recently seen many threads on music theory so i have a couple questions:

What is it in a nutshell?
What are the advantages of learning it?

I know music thoery, so when I think of a melody in my head, I can basically work out what it is in abut 30 seconds, (if there's a keyboard handy anyways, I can get pretty close without though because I had to do ear training learning intervals).

Don't confuse that with me writing good melodies just because I know music theory (or even at all, they mostly suck, lol).

Also if I'm uninspired I know about 50 million chord progressions (exageration by the way) and how they sound, so I can start from their and build a nice sounding track until the inspiration monster strikes again.

All you need to know is I-III-IV for dubstep type that into google, then rinse it and you'll sound just like flux pavillion

[wub]

Be that as it may, all you really need right now if you want to learn the basics of music theory is this: http://www.ravenspiral.com/ravenspiralguide.pdf

Credit goes to WUB for digging this one out of the woodworks

Was just about to post that myself.

[FuzionDubstep]

in simple terms just stay in key don't draw any black notes just white notes for now and it will still sound good but learning music theory means you can go more in depth especially in intro's as you can write some sick intros if you know music theory it helps but in dubstep its not as relevant but still it can make a song 1923095349490x better

[le pape se prostitue]

http://soundcloud.com/le-pape-se-prosti ... ning-flash
A sound like Flux Pavillion with very sick formant use with Massive; SO FAAAT !

[Dystinkt]

music theory is like ikea furniture. having the instruction manual helps a lot, but you still have to build the fucker yourself.

[GothamHero]

If you don't learn music theory, I highly doubt you'll become a successful computer musician. I can't stress the importance of knowing what mechanically works, because knowing what sounds good by ears is only half the battle; you also need to know what sounds conventionally good -- built by musicians and composers over the years. Music theory isn't the law, nor is it strict rules. Music isn't subjective, you can do what you want, but what you want to do (what you have in your head) isn't as easy translated into notes, chords and melodies without knowing note duration, chord progression, or melody building. Music theory gives you the basic grounds on which you can develop professional sounding music.

You don't need it, but what do you have to lose by learning it? It can only improve your music composition and production.

[Faxmachines]

It's good to learn but you don't have to use it strictly.
If you're in the key of C and you don't want to hit a C# because it's "not right" but it sounds good just go for it.
Ex: Most upright bassists were taught to play in key all the time but the best and well known players like Ray Brown and Stanley Clarke played lots of tunes out of key.
Most of the time if it sounds right, then it is.

Also, if all music was played strictly in key, it would sound mostly the same.