Getting Started With Music Theory And Composition

Hello!

I'm interested in beginning to compose, especially in modern styles (a la Ligeti). However, my music theory knowledge is minimal... I can read notes and that's about it. (Except sometimes when a note has more than a couple of ledger lines :veryunsure:)

Anyway, as I said, I'm into contemporary music... Ligeti, Bartok, and Yun Isang are among my favorite composers. I love listening to their music, but I usually don't get a whole lot out of it since I don't understand the concepts being demonstrated.

That being said, can anyone recommend to me a good place to start (e.g. textbook, website) where I could learn music theory? Everything that I've found just explains reading music and then stops.

Thanks!

P.S. I'm new here... sorry if I'm putting this in the wrong spot.

Recommended starting place: http://www.google.com

Once a question has been answered as many times as this it becomes tedious.

Recommended starting place: http://www.google.com

So you have been already greeted by our most helpful, likeable members...

Well, if this is a composer's site, there's a good chance you might eventually contact someone who can be actually helpful. I've seen there are some guys (such as Sarastro, Maestrowick, Sojar Voglar, SYS65 and JAWoodruff, among others) who actually know and even teach a lot about music and composition - while not making lame attempts to act like smart dicks.

So you have been already greeted by our most helpful, likeable members...

It goes without saying, but thanks anyways.

So you have been already greeted by our most helpful, likeable members...

Well, if this is a composer's site, there's a good chance you might eventually contact someone who can be actually helpful. I've seen there are some guys (such as Sarastro, Maestrowick, Sojar Voglar, SYS65 and JAWoodruff, among others) who actually know and even teach a lot about music and composition - while not making lame attempts to act like smart dicks.

For someone who preaches so much about not 'helping' (i.e. spoon-feeding) n00bies, you're not very helpful yourself! :longface:

I'm interested in beginning to compose, especially in modern styles (a la Ligeti). However, my music theory knowledge is minimal...

Anyway, as I said, I'm into contemporary music... Ligeti, Bartok, and Yun Isang are among my favorite composers. I love listening to their music, but I usually don't get a whole lot out of it since I don't understand the concepts being demonstrated.

If you're that much into contemporary styes, let me suggest fellow members who might be especially helpful for you: JRCramer, JAWoodruff, Tuohey, Sojar Voglar, Morgri.

For someone who preaches so much about 'not helping' (i.e. spoon-feeding) n00bies, you're not very helpful yourself! :longface:

For someone who tries so hard to be as much of a dick as possible, you're not showing anything to be so much of a dick about.

For someone who tries so hard to be as much of a dick as possible, you're not showing anything to be so much of a dick about.

The kid says he doesn't know where to learn music theory online, yet a simple Google search yields hundreds, if not thousands of resources. If anything, I'm helping him more than anyone who has replied to this thread by making it clear that if you want something, it's all there for the taking: you simply need to have the desire to actually seek it out instead of waiting lazily for it to come to you (which it won't).

I might be a dick but at least I'm not a preachy hypocrite.

I might be a dick but at least I'm not a preachy hypocrite. Also, if you're hell-bent on learning of my own personal accomplishments (and lol @ the notion of accomplishments giving an individual the license to be a dick), you can message me. You've already derailed this thread plenty enough by turning the focus to Chris and I.

Can't stop laughing. If the kid expected someone to answer "Google", he wouldn't have entered a suppossedly especialized site to ask that. Now is that being helpful or insultingly condescending? And LOL @ "preachy hypocrite" - coming from a guy who is indeed a dick AND a preachy hypocrite - accusing me of derailing the thread "by turning the focus to Chris and I", when it had been already derailed by Chris and you turning the focus on yourselves as usual.

And baaaaack to topic: contacting helpful members and getting your hands on theory books is a must. Look for Schoenberg's book on harmony, since a lot of modern music can trace itself to the theories pursued by the Second Vienese School. And don't ever stop listening to contemporary works while studying - you'll find yourself eventually grasping the concepts being demonstrated.

Can't stop laughing. If the kid expected someone to answer "Google", he wouldn't have entered a suppossedly especialized site to ask that. Now is that being helpful or insultingly condescending? And LOL @ "preachy hypocrite" - coming from a guy who is indeed a dick AND a preachy hypocrite - accusing me of derailing the thread "by turning the focus to Chris and I", when it had been already derailed by Chris and you turning the focus on yourselves as usual.

And baaaaack to topic: contacting helpful members and getting your hands on theory books is a must. Look for Schoenberg's book on harmony, since a lot of modern music can trace itself to the theories pursued by the Second Vienese School. And don't ever stop listening to contemporary works while studying - you'll find yourself eventually grasping the concepts being demonstrated.

It's would only be appropriate that you would restore a topic you initially derailed. Go ahead and have the last word: you need it.

coloanaininfita3: if you have just learned how to read clefs, Schoenberg is a horrible next step. Don't listen to Menelik, he is anti-help and hasn't even read the texts he recommends. My first post wasn't mean to be 'dickish': Google is literally your best bet. It's hard to screw up the basics (and you're going to want to learn them).

Modern 20th century music can overwhelming if one does not anything about musical composition; thus, a novice, like you should not begin there. Nevertheless, you can progress 20th century music later. For a self study course, one needs to know that music is like climbing fleet of stairs. At the bottom is Harmony/Counterpoint. Next up is Form. And then Orchestration. Amazon and google books that your skill level, and your needs.

Why do you have a picture of Justin as your avatar, Menelik?

Because I couldn't steal yours.