"lack of knowledge" / how to train to improve your skills

Theory is just names for things you already know but haven't defined. It's like the color yellow. You knew what it looked like before somebody told you "that's called yellow". Same thing.

To me, there are three basic things you need to look up and know by heart that are simple but can get you a lot of mileage:

1- Intervals, associating them with how they sound (memorizing them by relating them to melodies you know well). Intervals are the building blocks of music theory.
2- Basic tonal and functional Harmony. Cadences. I-IV-V. Those things. Just the bare bones. How are chords and triads formed (what intervals constitute them) and how to find out which chords belong to which scale. How all of this sounds and again, relating it to songs you already know.
3- The very basic rules of voice leading and WHY those rules were applied. Only knowing that "there should be no parallel 8ths" is not enough. Knowing the why behind those rules will inform you on when it is okay to break them because in reality there are no rules and you can write whatever you want.

These should be learned in order, of course.

Mike has a masterclass called Theory 1 that I haven't taken but I imagine he probably covers all of these or at least the two first ones, most likely. In case you are interested in other sources as well, here are a few free resources that include the first two:

https://www.coursera.org/learn/edinburgh-music-theory
https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-to-music-theory-3
https://www.coursera.org/learn/music-theory

Good luck!

 

I couldn't imagine NOT taking lessons. You have to find the right "fit" of course as, like any relationship the wrong one can have a negative effect, but simply put: People at the top of the field are at the top because they have a set of distinctions others do not. I would always advise finding the most accomplished person, whom you also resonate with personally, and learning from them.

Additionally, you can always post more of your music here, and get feedback from members.

 

I'm not accomplished by any means, but this is what I've learned so far and has helped me immensely.

Take Comp 1 and 2, for sure. Watch them once, then watch them again. Play along on piano if you'd like, and take down some notes in your own words, preferably after watching a section and then pausing. I found Structure quite helpful as well, to get a better idea of a song's organization.

Transcribe:

(Mike, is this video still unlisted on purpose?)

Also, force yourself to listen to masterpieces. Sit down and focus on them. They might be overwhelming at first, but you'll eventually get to know them. Your compositions will only ever be as good as your taste.

I don't think lessons are a bad idea. A handful of piano lessons demystified the piano a great deal. It's not essential, but it's probably quite helpful. When it comes to theory, I personally think the only really useful theory for a beginner is that which allows one to orient oneself. It's again not necessary, but it's helpful for transcribing especially. Basics like notes on the piano, intervals (the spaces between notes) and how they sound, and basic chord structure; it's mostly just for putting labels on things for organization's sake, and has made transcription faster. But really the most difficult part about composition is writing a half-decent melody that develops, and you don't need any theory for this. I've learned a decent amount of intermediate theory and I can attest that it hasn't made me a better composer, because learning it divorced from composition isn't that useful (just like 10 years of French grammar didn't help me speak a single phrase of French -- I can still remember how to ask to use the bathroom though).

The beauty of transcription is that you don't have to sit there for an hour a day learning how to read sheet music -- you do it while transcribing and it becomes integrated into your musical skillset.

Posting ideas on here is incredibly helpful. You've got a host of competent people here (Doug will likely be more than willing to help out) that will provide honest, constructive feedback on your work.

 

You may not need theory to make music. But if you set a goal in music that fits your desires, you need the theory on which it is based. Unless you have time to rediscover the origins and evolutions of music though the ages until now by yourself...

I'm self teached and always facing the same problems (more or less) and the only thing I'm sure is that I need someone to give me work to do then to correct it after. So do not lose your time wondering if you must take courses or not. Take 'em if you can.

 

I think it's more an "order of operations" situation. I completely agree though. My understanding is that Mike discourages theory for beginners because of the false sense of security it gives them.

I think, i.e. why a secondary dominant or a tritone sub works isn't as important as learning that it does work, where it works and then playing around with it to internalize how it sounds. The utility in this, in my view, is that it puts a label on it to organize it for future recognition. So then you go and transcribe and that "sound" hits your ear, making it a great deal less arduous to find, simultaneously demystifying it. Similarly, understanding intervals and how chords work makes transcribing chord changes less mysterious.