LoA level 1 music theory section 3
Hi Dave,
I am struggling to understand the major scales. I have been working on Ex. 3.5 and really don't get it. I am concerned as you say that it is important to understand how it works in order to progress.
I shouldn't be feeling stressed should I?
Hello Scorny. Music theory is no doubt a challenge, and it commonly takes many passes to understand something. It's also very helpful when stuck on a concept to look at YouTube to get an explanation from other instructors. Go to YouTube and type in "How Major Scales Work" and watch a couple different videos by a couple different instructors.
Also, it's helpful to work with a keyboard. If you don't have a keyboard/piano at home, look for free software (computer) or apps (phone) with a piano keyboard on them. This way you can play along with me in the video and hear for yourself when you hit correct or incorrect notes.
Lastly, music theory is not as important to us blues harmonica players, so don't stress over this... work on other material as this develops over time.
Thanks very much David, much appreciated.
I think I get it now. It just took looking at from a different angle for the penny to drop.
Fantastic
I will be more specific now that I have stopped sulking about it. It makes sense when I watch you demonstrating on the piano. I even understand sharps and flats but when I try to work out which note comes next with the half steps etc I clearly do not get it.
is it common to be struggling with music theory or do most people skip it? I consider myself to be of reasonable intelligence and usually pick things up relatively quickly but I can’t seem to get my head around this.
I have had a few attempts to understand it and am beginning to avoid practice as it has suddenly become no fun .
thanks in advance
Saul