music theory

[xcheljd]

college started about 2 weeks ago and one of my classes is music fundamentals, which is basically about beginning music theory. Does anybody have any easy ways to learn the treble cleff notes or bass cleff notes. im having trouble memorizing the bass clef after focusing on the treble so much. i also play guitar, and i want to learn scales and chords and all that good stuff

so if somebody could help me out with some method of learning these notes, tones, whatever u want to call them that would be cool XD thanks. maybe even talk about ur own experience with learning music theory and how u got through it, and how its helped u with your career or hobbies.

[tzs]

Music theory can make you, or drive you insane!!! The cool thing about it is that you will come away from it writing music a hell of alot easier.  I took 3 yrs of it, and my teacher was great(he was also a "perfect pitch, piano playing genius) which also helped me get through.  As far as learning scales, treble clef, and bass clef, you need to see examples of this. If you have friends in your class that are more musically savvy than yourself, drain their brain for knowledge. I found that the easiest way to understand all of those things, and then practice, practice, practice!!!!!

good luck-your'e gonna need it, but it all pays out in the end!!!!!

[oldbuddy]

Sometimes mnemonics help.

Spaces: F A C E
Lines: EGBDF (Every Good Boy Does Fine)

Sharps: GDAEB (Gorillas Don't Always Eat Bananas)
Flats: (FBEADG) Father Benjamin Eats Apple Dumplings Greedily)

[kapeh12]

Sometimes mnemonics help.

Spaces: F A C E
Lines: EGBDF (Every Good Boy Does Fine)

I use the above one all the time - that one is for the Treble clef.

The mnemonic for the base clef (lines) is:

GBDFA (Good Boys Do Fine Always)


For learning the key signature (what is the key signature given the sharps or flats shown) - the way I remember is the following:

1.  No sharps or flats = C  (key of C)
2.  One flat (flat displays on the middle line - treble clef) = F (key of F)
3.  More than one flat - the key is that of the previous flat (the flats are all listed in a particular order left-to-right, look at the next one to the left of the last flat showing - include the flat in the "naming" of the key).  Example - when 2 flats show, the first is on B, the second is on E - so reading the flats, the last flat is on E, the next one to the left is B, so the key is B-flat.
4.  Sharps - go one step higher on the staff (when reading the staff) from the last sharp to determine the key.  Example, one sharp - sharp is on the top line [F] - treble clef = one step higher in the staff is G, so the key is G.  Two sharps, first on F, second on C - one step higher than C is D, so key of D.  Note - as with the flats, if the "one step higher" contains a sharp (from one of the other sharps in the key signature), the key will carry the sharp.

These are how to determine the "Major" key signatures.  From there you can determine the corresponding minor by counting half steps - but I won't go there yet if you are just starting out.

Hope this helps a little.

[ancmetro]

    I learned that in my teens...I still love music!

[Unterreiner]

I've been playing guitar for awhile, and music theory is always something guitarists seem to lag behind in. Though I recently just picked up a music theory for dummies, and it was very helpful, it outlined the basics, and how they apply to various styles. Its written very intuitively