Music Theory - Moved from Metro

[eppertheleper]

Well, it all really depends on what kind of music you're interested in making. If you want to make techno, you really don't need to know much of anything about music in the classical sense. Since pure techno is a straight 4/4 meter, meaning four beats per measure and a quarter note gets one beat. I'm sure some could be simplified into 2/2 or drawn out into more complex time sigs, but that's pretty much it.

Also, when talking about techno, what key it's in really doesn't make a bit of difference unless you're trying to do something with pianos, strings, or vocals. I don't know if the 303 is set in the key of C or not, but it might be limited to that one key. Frankly it doesn't matter since most of the sounds that come out of the thing could be called a pitch, but only in the widest definition of the term.

Basically, what key it's in means which notes you can play together and have it not sound like crap, and everybody in the orchestra needs to be in the same key or it will. C is pretty much the "easiest" because it has no flats or sharps. These are the black keys on the piano, and are the adjustments that must be made in other keys in order for the notes to, again, avoid sounding like crap.

Oh, I'm blathering, maybe I should have an online theory course here in the forum! I'll get to the point. If you're interested in playing with a group, from a small band up to a full orchestra, then you'll need to take some classes in theory. I haven't ever played with theory software, so I don't know how well it works. I would imagine they've got some good stuff out there.

If you just want to make some techno, then don't worry about it. Just buy Reason and start tinkering.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure there's nothing you can do if you're truly tone deaf. If you just haven't honed your skill, then you can work on it, but people who lack the cognitive ability to differentiate between tones are that way for life.