dwhite7981 - Posted - 02/23/2023:  03:07:30

I have been taking clawhammer banjo lessons for over 2 years and I am beginning to realize that I need some help with music theory. Any ideas? Thanks.



Dave

Edited by - Texasbanjo on 02/23/2023 04:57:45

eagleisland - Posted - 02/23/2023:  04:32:23

quote:

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Originally posted by dwhite7981

I have been taking clawhammer banjo lessons for over 2 years and I am beginning to realize that I need some help with music theory. Any ideas? Thanks.



Dave

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Welcome to the Hangout.

The book "Music Theory for Dummies" isn't a horrible place to start.

Also, there's an entire forum here on the BHO dedicated to this topic, with some knowledgeable people contributing. Look for it in the main forum directory,

Texasbanjo - Posted - 02/23/2023:  04:57:25

I'll move your thread to the Music Theory forum where it belongs.

There are many threads on that forum that might help you better understand music theory.

Any music theory book will help you understand. It doesn't have to be banjo oriented. Music theory is music theory regardless of the instrument you're playing.

If you really want to get into theory, take a class at your local college/university if there's one near you.

G Edward Porgie - Posted - 02/23/2023:  09:32:26

Do you have any ideas of what aspects of theory you are weak on?

I think Sherry has the right approach. Theory is theory, and a college course would be a large aid.

There may be a few players who could help, but sometimes even a great player doesn't know enough.

I would guess that with clawhammer, you are learning some modal tunes, which can have some differences from , say, a tune in a specific key, such as G major, D, or A. It's been 50 years since I studied, so I don't know of any recent printed material, but my classes in college aided in both the "classical" harmony of Bach, and the understanding of modes and their uses.

Keep asking when you have questions. There are sometimes more than one answer, and the people here are friendly and eager to supply their own solutions.

Welcome.

DC5 - Posted - 02/23/2023:  13:54:26

There was a pretty good music theory book written by a member here that concentrated on guitar and banjo. I'll try and find my copy and get the details.

Richard Hauser - Posted - 02/23/2023:  17:37:11

I play banjo, fiddle, and flatpick guitar. Theory remains the same regardless of instrument. I have shelves full of music books for various instruments. Different stringed instruments do have specific musical limitations however. And, there are no absolutes in music. Anything that sounds good is correct.



Knowledge of music theory enables a person to listen to/read music and be aware of what is being done musically. It improves a persons ability to improvise or "borrow" musical ideas.

Edly's book of music theory is exceptionally good.  Not too shallow and not too deep.

Edited by - Richard Hauser on 02/23/2023 17:38:27

OldNavyGuy - Posted - 02/23/2023:  18:01:32

Edly’s Music Theory for Practical People

Comtngal - Posted - 02/23/2023:  20:23:17

I have really been appreciating Eli Gilbert’s Music theory on YouTube.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=_BbKd6GFpj8

RB3 - Posted - 02/24/2023:  07:24:52

Below is a link to a website dedicated to music theory.  If you do a Google search on "music theory" or "music theory lessons", you can find many more such websites.

Hello Music Theory

NePlusUltraNo6 - Posted - 03/07/2023:  21:40:19

The old McNeil Chord System should be your first stop.

You should know all chords, all their inversions, and all of their keys.

Perry Bechtel used to say to my mentor; KNOW YOUR CHORDS.

Without true knowledge and understanding of chords, you’ll never progress.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/08/2023:  04:51:37

quote:

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Originally posted by NePlusUltraNo6

 

(snip)

Without true knowledge and understanding of chords, you’ll never progress.

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I've known some excellent pickers who had no idea what a chord was, what an inversion was or how to even describe a chord to someone, but they could make the most beautiful music you ever heard.

Theory is great, it's wonderful, but some people CAN learn to play and play with excellence without it.