Self teaching theory

[adam2]

Hi all!  Long time reader first time caller, er, poster.  I'm not sure if there is already a post on this, but next time I'll search better

I only take lessons for piano, I do not take classes for music theory, but I've studied a music theory textbook or two with full comprehension, and I'm working on 'harmony and voice leading' by aldwell Schachter.  I play piano at intermediate level.

My interest in music demands of me somethings I am not sure how to provide myself as a semiautodidact; as excellent as possible aural skills and theoretical comprehension to boot.  Now as far as aural skills, I'm feeling my way through sightsinging, interval/chord rec, progressions, relative pitch transcription etc as best and as creatively and musically as I can without assistance, and that could always be going better.

Buti would really like to know more about what path(s) should I take text/subject-wise when approaching music theory and subjects on different composition subjects, like, harmony, tonal counterpoint, posttonal counterpoint, fugue, serious form study, abstract study of style, set theory and a BIG etcetera.  Not just knowing them in general, but inculcating this stuff in a way that I can use them efficiently, and as musically as possible.

If I am asking the wrong question, feel free to answer the right one.  Idk any better. And any thoughts on the Aural skillswould be welcomed but not necessary.  The deeper and more specific the response the better.

Thanks!!!!!! (phew)
  Ps is this the wrong board?

[deighve]

Firstly, please info the readers your goal in your musical endeavor. Do you plan to be a teacher, a musical arranger, a singer, and keyboard performer, others? Thanks! 

[adam2]

I suppose the best answer would be arranger and keyboard performance. But I would have no idea where my -desire- for knowledge and proficiency will lead me, and I trust that more than my ego or even best laid plans.

[wiggityp]

If you really want to focus on gaining keyboard proficiency, than much of the theory elements you brought up are probably not really necessary (although of course they very likely wouldn't hurt). I've taken lessons in the past extensively but haven't for some years, and as I've been playing strictly for pleasure I like to just kinda of wander to what interests me. I'm less curious about theory; more about music history, performance history/comparison etc. and I feel that just kinda of drifting through the enormous world of music out there to play and to listen is a good/effective way to progress. Perhaps less so with theory. Just start reading whatever you can get your hands on, and if something doesn't make sense put it down and come back to it later. For I find that to keep my flame of musical passion burning I must constantly be moving between moods of interest in my work and as soon as things become overly structured I tend to zone out.

What I find to be extraordinarily helpful is talking (much like we are here) to like-minded individuals. Capitalizing on another's (teacher's, colleague's) knowledge is exponentially effective for me.