Q. I have played violin for 10 years, piano for 4 years, flute for 2 years, and I can also play viola because it's so similar to violin. I love the sound of cello and bassoon though, and guitar's awesome and convenient. Is it hard to pick guitar and cello up with my prior instrumental background? Would I need lessons, or can I just learn these based on my prior knowledge of violin, viola, and chords/music theory?
A. I play all the instruments you do, plus the brasses and oboe/English horn, but I'm betting I'm quite a bit older. I think being a jack of all trades is immense fun, and I love it when I'm called to sub in a group on, for example, euphonium, when my degree is in violin.
However, for cello....I'd suggest a few lessons because the left hand position is quite different from violin/viola, the vibrato technique is different, and the bow hold is quite different. It takes a lot more strength to play cello.
Bassoon is a big pain in my opinion, but that doesn't mean *you* shouldn't play it! There are elbendy-seven different fingerings for some of the notes, and the thumbs get a major workout. I agree it is a cool sounding instrument.
I always recommend a few lessons at the begininng with a competent teacher, to keep you from getting way off on technique that keeps you from progressing. Much better to spend some time and money up front so you get started right.
which instrument is best to learn music theory with?
Q. Is piano better to learn music theory with or is guitar? And where can I find a teacher who will teach me the instrument and music theory without going to college.
A. I'm a guitarist, but I would say piano.
Here's why:
On guitar, you can only use four fingers to play a chord, and at most you can only play a chord with six notes. On piano you can use ten fingers to play a chord and play a chord with ten notes.
On guitar, you have to use both hands to play a note, whereas on piano you only need one finger. This is important because it means you can play more notes faster. Run your finger across a piano and you'll hear 88 notes in one second. You could never do that on a guitar, even if you're the world's fastest guitarist.
On guitar you generally are only going to be able to play one melody at a time. Some very talented guitarists can play two at a time with finger tapping, but they are the exception and not the rule. Pianists on the other hand do that all the time.
It's very difficult to play the major scale on a guitar if you're just learning to play. Any beginner can play the major scale on a piano: Just play the white keys one after another from a root note.
But then again, cool people play guitar because piano lessons are for little girls. So guitar is still better.
What's the most fun way to learn music theory?
Q. I've been playing piano for years, but always hated music theory, since I like to envision soothing imaginings while I play and not be distracted by repetitive little notes and latin words. I want very much to master music theory for many reasons, but without the sense of restriction and drudgery. Has anybody felt similarly and overcome it, now loving and liberated by music theory? Any books, software, techniques you can recommend for this?
A. There are no "fun" ways to learn music theory. But it is not "drudgery" and torture either! The concepts of music theory and harmony are what make music "work". As a longtime musician you already understand a lot of the concepts because you have used them in your playing. You have "heard" these ideas before but you just cannot explain or identify them.
One of the best ways to gain an understanding of theory is to take some classes on the subject from your local community college and/or a private instructor. Although there are plenty of books and material available to help you with it, it is easier to understand when someone else is guiding you through it.
The basic precepts of harmony and theory are based around very familiar ideas such as the major scale and chord construction. These are things that you are innately familiar with. There are rules that apply to chord construction such as concepts of tertiary harmony (harmony based in thirds) as well as chord motion and resolution.
These concepts can be very rewarding and are well worth your time and effort to understand. Think of it this way. Music is a language. We learn language by imitating others as a child. But it is not until we learn to read and to spell that we truly understand what language is. As we learn more about grammar and the concepts that govern how language is used, we become more adept at using language and better able to communicate our ideas and thoughts to others.
Music is the same way. By learning the basics of reading music, you have taken the first step to a fuller comprehension the "grammar" of music. By learning the concepts of harmony and theory, you will gain a greater understanding of why things work the way they do and how music is made. This will help you greatly in your enjoyment of music as an art form and as a "language".
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Title : How do you pick up guitar and cello if you can already play other instruments?
Description : Q. I have played violin for 10 years, piano for 4 years, flute for 2 years, and I can also play viola because it's so similar to violin...