How Leveling up in Music shows just how far You have to Go
If you’ve been following me for awhile you know that I finally picked up the piano as my instrument of choice a few years ago. Since the pandemic I’ve been focusing on spending more time at the keys and learning music theory in an attempt to make myself a better producer. It has allowed me to make chords and melodies faster. It’s even given me a new strength in arrangement music. (a compliment I’ve been receiving the past couple of years as well.) However, the one thing that has remained consistent is just how much I don’t know when it comes to music theory.
For example, learning a simple triad took a little bit of time because I didn’t realize how much math was involved. 1–3–5, can make a triad and 1–3–5–7, can make a 7th note. Sounds easy, but try explaining that to someone who’s relied on playing by ear or using plugins such as Captain Chords or EZ Keys to make chords. I thought once I understood I the basics I would be good to go. No, apparently there’s 9th, Diminished, and Augmented. So when our bass player, Tony “The Duke” Bowler, tried to explain to me how he’s only going to write a bass line in the minor notes of a chord progression I sent over for an idea you can imagine my confusion. Of course, with hours of practice and studying I began to understand what he meant. Now, I can tell him he should write the bass line for the bridge in the major key and why.
After sometime where I, again, thought I was getting the hang of music theory I found myself watching a YouTube video of a musician I follow where he was interviewing a legendary guitarist. In the video they talked about old touring war stories, studios that no longer are around, and the occasional out of pocket jokes that wouldn’t work in today’s climate. Toward the end of the video I was surprised to see this legendary guitarist teaching the one I follow a few things that he didn’t even know. I was like “HOW!?” This guy has toured with Alicia Keys, John Legend, and a few others and he still has a lot to learn?? Well like anything else, there are levels and even the masters have something to learn. Humbling to watch, but also a sense of relief. Something about knowing that I am on a forever marathon rather than a race gave me a subtle calm.
As I approach my 3rd year as a music theory/piano playing novice I start to appreciate just how much guys like Nile Rodgers, David Grohl, or Jimmy Page not only know but how much they have forgotten. These guys are eons ahead of me and I can’t do anything else but respect an elder musician. As of today I am practicing my scales and comfortable enough play from reading sheet music. To most, that may not seem like a lot but for this former beat maker……it is.
Levels…..
