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Topic: music theory for adults, help needed.  (Read 1932 times)

Offline accauditor

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music theory for adults, help needed.
on: August 11, 2010, 07:29:38 AM
so here's the deal, i'm a 25 years old accountant and i desperatly want to learn and study music theory and composition.
are there any music schools or summer cources or distant learning programs you guys reccomend for me?
any country is ok i can take a vacation any time during the summer and i also can take a vacation the whole next february.

i know this sounds cliche but i really believe that music is my calling in life  ;)
i'm an advanced pianist by the way.

any help is appreciated
thanks

Offline doctor_ivory

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Re: music theory for adults, help needed.
Reply #1 on: August 11, 2010, 09:43:36 PM
Check out the Ear Training, Basic Theory, and Advanced Theory tabs on the sidebar of my website.  They should help get you started.
https://www.piano-wisdom.webs.com/

Keep in mind that any theory you learn beyond the basic rudimentary stuff is going to require serious study, and it is not something that you can simply learn in one shot over the summer.  And if your are not fond of working through various books, then the best solution for you is to  just find a instructor at a local conservatory who teaches composition and theory.
"I have often regretted my speech, never my silence."
https://piano-wisdom.webs.com/

Offline quantum

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Re: music theory for adults, help needed.
Reply #2 on: August 12, 2010, 01:40:51 AM
Sounds like you want some sort of credit or degree for your studies.  Is this the case?

I very much like the book A New Approach to Keyboard Harmony.  Some of it may seem like review of harmony, but it is very performance oriented.  It's a book you read and play through at the piano.  A lot of exercises get you thinking about applying the theory to improvisation - something which will serve you well in composition. 
https://www.amazon.com/New-Approach-Keyboard-Harmony/dp/0393950018

If you need something that deals with the theoretical mechanics of harmony I would recommend Harmony and Voice Leading.  Very detailed discussions on the functional uses of harmony.  Many examples taken from the Western Art Music canon.
https://www.amazon.ca/Harmony-Voice-Leading-Edward-Aldwell/dp/0155062425

For repertoire, I'd suggest getting a book of the Bach Chorales.  Analise them and play them at the piano. 
Made a Liszt. Need new Handel's for Soler panel & Alkan foil. Will Faure Stein on the way to pick up Mendels' sohn. Josquin get Wolfgangs Schu with Clara. Gone Chopin, I'll be Bach
 

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