Anyone studied music?

[Glenn]

I'm just curious, because I know that there are quite a few people on this forum who are music buffs, or who play an instrument (or more). So, has anyone actually studied music theory, harmony, ear training, history, reading, etc.? If so, what level of study, what kind of study (institution or private), and what do you like about it or dislike about it? If I weren't sick of it, I would ask whether you feel that a background in formal study is necessary to be a proficient musician, but if you could, please refrain from talking about that.

By the way, any questions or discussions on any of the above topics would be welcome, and I would like to hear anyone else's thoughts and/or opinions on any of the subject areas that I have mentioned. Discuss away!

 

[dreamer]

I've studied the piano for...2 weeks !!
Lol It was too hard for me I guess ^^'
Anyway We have musical education at school here in France and I had to play the flute for 2 years ^^'

 

[Glenn]

Anyway We have musical education at school here in France and I had to play the flute for 2 years ^^'

Which two years did you have to study music in school? Was it middle school, high school? I remember that we had some really basic classes in first and second grade on music. It was all stuff like, which one is a sharp? which one is a flat? what kind of note is this? etc.

 

[Dream Time]

I had about 3 months of classical lesson in school,I learned to play the viola
I found that I do not like receiving musical lessons so I am probably not going to get lessons anymore

now I am self-taught for guitars

 

[dreamer]

Which two years did you have to study music in school? Is it middle school, high school? I remember that we had some really basic classes in first and second grade on music. It was all stuff like, which one is a sharp? which one is a flat? what kind of note is this? etc.

lol it was in middle school and we were taught about the same things ^^'

 

[Glenn]

I had about 3 months of classical lesson in school,I learned to play the viola

The viola, eh? Heh, I didn't think that they taught that in schools. Does your school have an orchestra?

I found that I do not like receiving musical lessons so I am probably not going to get lessons anymore

What didn't you like about lessons? Was it the material that you were being taught?

now I am self-taught for guitars

What kind of stuff do you practice and set out to learn? Do you just learn songs or do you learn about scales, modes, etc.? Do you just work on technique, or composition skills?

Sorry if I sound intrusive, but I'm curious as to how you are going about teaching yourself the guitar.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Hated Every Minute, You Have To Love....

to practice! I played guitar 1 year, trumpet for 5, and
tuba for 1. It was during 7th through 12th grade in school
& private lessons. Two things seemed to be needed to succeed, a true love of music & playing & a willingness to practice everyday, long & hard! Being forced by parents
does not bring about a love for music; I left it behind when I left home.

Frank

 

[Glenn]

Two things seemed to be needed to succeed, a true love of music & playing & a willingness to practice everyday, long & hard! Being forced by parents
does not bring about a love for music...

That is so very true about anything. I find that even if I like to do something, once it starts to feel as though it is forced upon me I start to dislike it. I suppose it's all about perception, eh?

 

[Dream Time]

The viola, eh? Heh, I didn't think that they taught that in schools. Does your school have an orchestra?



What didn't you like about lessons? Was it the material that you were being taught?

yes it has
I was learning some basic stuff,but thats not the problem,
I don't like getting musical lessons especially in schools
I don't like playing music for getting grades.

What kind of stuff do you practice and set out to learn? Do you just learn songs or do you learn about scales, modes, etc.? Do you just work on technique, or composition skills?

Sorry if I sound intrusive, but I'm curious as to how you are going about teaching yourself the guitar.

all,but I am not good at theories.

If I weren't sick of it, I would ask whether you feel that a background in formal study is necessary to be a proficient musician, but if you could, please refrain from talking about that.

it depends on what kind of music you want to play
jazz,classical,flamenco ... Yes
punk rock,metal,grunge,pop.....probably No

Joe Satriani,Steve Vai that type of rock guitar stuff...if you get lessons from them,it would definately help

 

[Chipi]

Well, I studied to play the violin for about 12 years. I started when I was 5 and ended when I was 17, so I haven't played a single note in 5 years. I studied it at an academy of music (don't know the exact term actually, in finnish it's "musiikkiopisto").
I also studied some theory, general knowledge of music and also orchestra playing at the same time (classical music).

In a way it was really something I truly upreciated that I had this chance to learn it, and I felt really happy and lucky. I had some old, good quality violins to play with, my grandpa used to play with them.

But. I hated the actual studying, not playing. The studying at the academy was/is so oriented to achieving (good) grades, and to achieve a good technique. They totally forget the _joy_ of playing, and quite frankly, I felt as they didn't even care if the students would actually enjoy playing and producing music. If your technique isn't good enough, if your grades arent good enough, you're as good as nothing. And I was somewhere in the middle.

Occasionally I really miss playing, especially in the chamber orchestra. It feels so great when you're in a part of something that can produce something so strong and beautiful...

I hope I'll get a chance to play again some day...

 

[Haivart]

Let's see. I started the violin in 5th grade, switched to the viola after college. During that time, I had lots of private violin and viola lessons. When the carpal tunnel started, I took voice lessons (I have much more talent as a singer). I didn't get much theory/history in school, though I got a little during lessons and was encouraged to find out more on my own.

 

[Glenn]

Well, I studied to play the violin for about 12 years. I started when I was 5 and ended when I was 17, so I haven't played a single note in 5 years.

That's cool; I really like the sound of the violin, especially when it is played by a highly skilled musician. There is just something about that instrument that makes me feel things more than any other. I'm not sure what that is, though.

I studied it at an academy of music (don't know the exact term actually, in finnish it's "musiikkiopisto").
I also studied some theory, general knowledge of music and also orchestra playing at the same time (classical music).

That sounds like what we call a conservatory.

But. I hated the actual studying, not playing. The studying at the academy was/is so oriented to achieving (good) grades, and to achieve a good technique. They totally forget the _joy_ of playing, and quite frankly, I felt as they didn't even care if the students would actually enjoy playing and producing music. If your technique isn't good enough, if your grades arent good enough, you're as good as nothing. And I was somewhere in the middle.

Well, it's certainly understandable why you would not like it there. There is definitely a technical standard that must be met for me, so I can understand that. However, after a certain point it becomes more about interpretation, feeling, creativity, etc. than technique.

Occasionally I really miss playing, especially in the chamber orchestra. It feels so great when you're in a part of something that can produce something so strong and beautiful...

There is no doubt about that. It is quite a rush when you get to hear all of the harmonies come together, and the orchestra/band play as a cohesive unit. It's especially nice the first time, after you have done all of your practicing by yourself and you finally get to hear what everyone else is playing while you are playing your parts and how they come together, and then knowing that you are playing a vital role in the sound being produced. That is probably my favorite part of playing.

I hope I'll get a chance to play again some day...

I hope that you get the chance too. ;-) Do you just not have an instrument, or were you talking specifically about playing in an orchestra?

Let's see. I started the violin in 5th grade, switched to the viola after college. During that time, I had lots of private violin and viola lessons. When the carpal tunnel started, I took voice lessons (I have much more talent as a singer). I didn't get much theory/history in school, though I got a little during lessons and was encouraged to find out more on my own.

Carpal tunnel, eh? That sucks. There was a period in time when I thought that I might have tendonitis, but it turned out that that wasn't the case. I wasn't too happy about it, though.

So do you still sing, and are you/have you studied any more theory or history?

 

[Haivart]

Yes, I still sing, though I've cut back a lot. But now that we've had positive changes at work, that may change. I haven't studies much more theory/history on my own, except for a class taught by one organist here in town. I suffered from a choir director that everyone said was wonderful (and who had us do challenging music), but he killed a lot of my enthusiasm and self-confidence. One day, he went too far, so I left, and informed the church of what he was doing. I know I'll get back into things, but it will take a while.

 

[duff_o_josh]

when i was 8 to like 10 i was in piano lessons, then in high school i took up the clarinet in concert band and the trombone in jazz..so theres about 5 years each of those.

 

[nekosasori]

Yes, I have classical music training in my background.
Specifically, I completed grade 10 at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada for piano performance as well as all of their theory courses (it was equivalent to a music major at university, actually) - history, harmony, counterpoint, analysis.
I also took viola from grade 7 at school and played through undergrad in various orchestral ensembles, and enjoyed this massively.
I have no formal training but can play some clarinet and sing a little - so piano would be my primary instrument still. If I have time and money again someday I'd love to take up viola formally.

 

[topi]

I bagan to study music but after a few months I realized it went against everything musical I believe in. I play the guitar and believe that music is expressing, not reading, not learning.

 

[phrozen]

hmm...i used to play the flute in middle school for three years (can't remember anyth now!) I'm going to sit for my grade 6 piano practical exam this july. I really hate the oral questions!! Anyway, I'm thinking of picking up guitar lessons too, only for pleasure though! *squeals*