From a theory standpoint based on the book I'm reading, you can go out of scale if you want. Those are called diminished or augmented. It is generally a good idea to stay in your scale, but like anything, there are exceptions to the rule.

Now, for chords, staying in scale is blown out of the water for things like seventh chords, etc. Many of those extended notes are played out of key - on purpose.

'Music Theory' is just that - a theory. It's not called 'Music Law' for a reason. One of the definitions of theory is 'an unproved assumption'.

Take care,
Adam

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Adam, you keep talking about this book - what is it?

quote:

Originally posted by Synchronicity Therefore, doesn't that render theory pointless? - Question, not statement Here's the original sample!

tell Beethoven that. All the great composers studied theory altho most of them pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable. ALl the theory you guys are looking at accounts for maybe 5% of what it is actually about. So perhaps it doesn't seem usefull to you , that is because you don't know it.

But it does explain 99% of music you hear. Those are some pretty good odds

quote:

Originally posted by Channel Surfer right on man, let's try to take some of the attitude out of this, me and you, fair? here's why: when your making dance tracks playing some notes in and making them sound good without any background is not only valid but impressive. but if you're in the high end recording world and you're a producer you know what key a song is in. from a more traditional standpoint all the classical music, jazz music, and even something like rock band tab books or even band geek books are made with the grand staff, and the same connective music theory that makes playing the music universally translatable. so if you're in your studio and you play in some c minors, no one knows or cares if you read that note as D# or Eb. my arguement "holds no water" itself. and you would be correct, but alone. however, from a compositional standpoint, you could not give sheet music to anyone of something you had written without proper understanding of the key you wrote it in. c minor is a three flat minor scale that goes C D Eb F G Ab Bb (C). the cleft would have three flat symbols written on the E A and B places. any session musician, composer, or arranger would be able to use what you gave them.

Ok I think I get at what your getting at, but I will never use sheet music or publish my music in notation, so I think I'll be fine ;-)

I think were both right on different levels.

L8r,
DJS

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quote:

Originally posted by DJSentinel Ok I think I get at what your getting at, but I will never use sheet music or publish my music in notation, so I think I'll be fine ;-) I think were both right on different levels. L8r, DJS

well traditionally F# and Gb were not the same. Perhaps on a piano but that is a modern instrument. Musicians used to and still do play sharps and flats with different inflections

so no. You aren't both right. You are dead wrong. I suppose you wouldn't have to worry about that in the electronic domain but that doesn't mean you have to go spreading misinformation to people that might be interested in learning.

quote:

Originally posted by RichieV well traditionally F# and Gb were not the same. Perhaps on a piano but that is a modern instrument. Musicians used to and still do play sharps and flats with different inflections so no. You aren't both right. You are dead wrong. I suppose you wouldn't have to worry about that in the electronic domain but that doesn't mean you have to go spreading misinformation to people that might be interested in learning.

Well sir... you are on an electronic music forum

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Well, I don't know about anyone else, Sentinel, but I'd rather learn it the correct way, so please stop being defensive and trying to prove your self righteousness and let the learning continue!

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Not trying to prove anything. The point is that I don't care if I'm right about it or not, since it will never hinder my ablilty to produce music. I am sorry if I came off a bit on the offensive side.

Nuff said (Y)

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quote:

Originally posted by skot_e Adam, you keep talking about this book - what is it?

Ok, don't laugh at the name, but I got it because of great user reviews at Amazon.com. I agree with them, it is a great book.

Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory


I know there are some people that scoff at the idea of learning music theory - I used to be one of them. However, as I read this book, I am learning quite a bit of things I never knew. Why turn your nose at a theory that has been in development since ancient Greece - if not earlier. Many musical geniuses throughout history have helped in this theory.

If anything, music theory will only make you better. It cannot hurt at all.

Take care,
Adam

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quote:

Originally posted by David Adams Ok, don't laugh at the name, but I got it because of great user reviews at Amazon.com. I agree with them, it is a great book. Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory

Sorry, I couldn't help it.
Nothing wrong with learning from scratch!

quote:

Originally posted by skot_e Sorry, I couldn't help it. Nothing wrong with learning from scratch!

Just don't let the title fool you. The Idiot and Dummies series of books often put out very good books.

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