Hello everyone

[Visions_fugitives]

I am a 38-yr old enthusiast, and curious explorer of Music in general, from Italy.

My explorations eventually led me to what I consider music's best type of expression, i.e. Classical music. I still enjoy other genres very much though, mostly in the experimental rock domain.
Unfortunately I never had musical training and therefore my knowledge of musical theory is very limited.

My personal elite of composers would include a bunch of obvious names, and Sergej Prokofiev.

Some members here may recognize my avatar (EDIT - It doesn't show for some reason), and hometown (albeit with a different username), from another forum.

Talk soon!

[bhodges]

Ciao, Visions_fugitives, and welcome! Another fan of Prokofiev here, too.

--Bruce

[arpeggio]

I have said this in other forums many times.

A person does not need to know music theory to listen to music.  We use our ears for that.

Music theory is a tool that is used by performers in order to perform music.  I play in amateur, volunteer orchestras and concert bands.  People who know music theory do a better job of playing and interpreting the music.

I will give you an example.  Last night at band rehearsal we were reading for the first time a band transcription of the Witches Dance from the Symphonie Fantastique.  There is that famous bassoon section after the famous clarinet solo.  The bassoons have to play these rapid upward chords.  Since I understand chord structure from my music theory class, all I needed to know was the first note in each upward figure.  And I got 90% of the notes correct while I was sight-reading it.  A person as a listener really does not have to know that to appreciate the passage.  We just have to play it right.

Oh by the way.  Welcome.  I am also new here and so far it has been a very pleasant experience.

[Karl Henning]

Benvenuti, Milanese!


Parenthetically, I have written a set of twenty super-short piano pieces, dubbed (in omaggio) Visions fugitives de nouveau.

[mc ukrneal]

Welcome!

A person does not need to know music theory to listen to music.  People who know music theory do a better job of playing and interpreting the music.

While I agree with the first sentence, I don't (entirely) agree with the second. A person who knows theory (or knows more of it) will have more tools and understanding to apply to their craft, which can be an advantage. But jumping from music theory to actually playing and interpreting better - well, this is not a necessary connection. Some people have an innate/intuitive understanding, while others have a better emotional connection with the music (which can lead to a better job). Alternatively, one can simply play a lot and learn 'on the job'.

Anyway, not saying music theory isn't helpful - it is. I just don't think one necessarily leads to the other.

[zamyrabyrd]

I will give you an example.  Last night at band rehearsal we were reading for the first time a band transcription of the Witches Dance from the Symphonie Fantastique.  There is that famous bassoon section after the famous clarinet solo.  The bassoons have to play these rapid upward chords.

Sounds cool. Would be interesting to hear it.

ZB

[arpeggio]

Sounds cool. Would be interesting to hear it.

ZB

City of Fairfax Band at Fairfax High School on October 22.  Fairfax, Virginia is a suburb of Washington, DC.  It is a Halloween concert.  We are doing some interesting original works for concert band and a good transcription of Night on the Bare Mountain.

[aligreto]

Welcome aboard and enjoy 

[Karl Henning]

Neal, I think you are excessively cautious here:

[...] A person who knows theory (or knows more of it) will have more tools and understanding to apply to their craft, which can be an advantage.

[...]

Anyway, not saying music theory isn't helpful - it is.

It is more than a mere advantage, or than merely useful:  it is a necessary tool.  That said:

But jumping from music theory to actually playing and interpreting better - well, this is not a necessary connection.

A hammer is a necessary tool, but not everyone is Rodin—fair enough.

[GioCar]

Ciao Stavr.... 
Well, we already met in that other forum.

Welcome, and enjoy!

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Welcome to the forum! I hope you enjoy your time here

My own 2c about music theory: anyone who studies music *studies music theory as part of their learning.* To be a musician one must have a very rounded knowledge of music; an understanding of how to read and understand 'the notes on the page' is just a small but necessary part of this.

And is absolutely irrelevant to simply sitting  back and enjoying the sound.

[Hollywood]

Hi there. Greetings from Vienna, Austria. Welcome to the forum. 

[Monsieur Croche]

Hello, Stavr... uh, Visions_fugitive:

One more familiar person here... it seems like there is a small snowstorm of members from another forum 'falling' into GMG.

GMG is about as unencumbered as the site I know you from previously is encumbered.

I'm certain you will enjoy it here, old acquaintances as well as members here you have not yet met.

Enjoy.


Best regards,
M. Croche [aka PetrB]

[Visions_fugitives]

Thanks everyone for the welcome!

Concerning musical theory: I do feel that it is an added value in the fruition of music too. I am sure that - maybe not always, but quite often - I could appreciate some pieces more if I was able to better understand the relations among the notes from a theoretical point of view.
It has occurred to me, for example, that after listening something that did not strike me, I would then listen to it again through some "listening guide" and be happier with it.

[Karl Henning]

As I was suggesting to arpeggio off-line, theory does its job when it brings to the forefront of our awareness a perception of what is going on in the music.  So, yes, indeed:  often when we are struggling with an understanding of music which is new to us, theory can help shed light.

[Hilltroll73(Ukko)]

I have no wish to understand music, only hope to make a connection with it.

[Spineur]

I do not have any recordings of Prokofiev Op22a, Visions fugitives.
What is your favorite one ?
GMG forum is a very nice place, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as we do.

[Karl Henning]

I have no wish to understand music, only hope to make a connection with it.

Often when we are struggling with a connection to music which is new to us, theory can help shed light.  (That was an easy adjustment.)

[knight66]

A warm welcome, I hope you enjoy it here. Milan is a great place to visit, I hope you find it equally good to live there.

Mike

[Mirror Image]

Welcome aboard! Anyone who is a fan of Prokofiev is a friend of mine.