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I've been thinking about how I would like to take the next step towards a career in music (whatever that may mean) and have come to the conclusion that reading the odd theory book on composition or music theory isn't enough. Perhaps the ideal situation would be for me to study full time at a well known London uni but I have a family to look after and a roof to keep over all our heads so that aint gonna happen. So I've decided to enrol on a distance learning course with the Open university to finally break the back of some of the theoretical aspects of music that have been alluding me for so long. I'm hoping that the course will also provise the necessary focus I lack at times with regards to composition but maybe that's asking too much lol Anyway the course will focus on the tonal era circa 1600 -1900 and also get into theory of harmony, composition etc. Actually, more than anything else I would love to perform, to be able to convey the emotive energy that wants to express itself through sound. I don't know if I could ever match what I have earned in my other chosen paths but at this stage I feel that music is the only thing that's gonna keep me sane! So if I start asking really basic type theory questions I hope you folks don't mind.

I did also check out UC berkley and while the courses look very impressive my finances will not yet stretch that far possibly something for the future though. Anyway other than asking for advice here I do believe somewhat in self fulfilling prophecies so I'm just putting this one out into the ether to remind the universe of my little plans

Brotha' Man Irrelevance,
You have made a wise decision and won't regret it. Bach Inventions in all keys, and Mozart sounds boring to a modern day electronic musician, but these composers were the beginning of the greatest period of modern music, up until current composers.
Learning a certain period of music, composition & theory is going to be so much fun too.
Remeber the Turned on Bach stuff or Isao Tomita..? Modern composers paying tribute to the masters and using Modular Synthesis.....fantastic.
Learning and studying music is exciting especially when you are motivated. I am no expert but well versed in that Era becasue that is what they base most theory and comp studies from.
I just recently enrolled in the EIS program.
If you really love music and have had no formal training, you'll have it licked first time around.
I studied it while analyzing and studying jazz and it didn't all sink in right away, but trust me, one day you'll wake up and find yourself playing or composing and shock yourself.
Ken Suguro was studying Jazz Piano and I watched his chops and composition skills excell over a year and a half here, and I am sure he is glad he dove in, and it certainly shows as his compositions and mixes continuosly show variations and depth.
I am not sure what your instrument preference is, but I would be happy to help you with any Piano studies if that is the instrument you'll be using.
There are so many excellent books for dexterity and strength and the same ones have been used for decades at most Universities. Piano is just like the theory comp studies too. You'll just keep knocking down barriers and one day realize you can look at a note and sing it's pitch or write music in your head as you take a knap while flying or travelling.

Congrats.

learning about one's profession is always a good thing, regardless of whether or not it turns into money.

congrats on your effort.

XITE-1/4LIVE wrote:Brotha' Man Irrelevance,
You have made a wise decision and won't regret it. Bach Inventions in all keys, and Mozart sounds boring to a modern day , but these composers were the beginning of the greatest period of modern music, up until current composers.

Yeh music as a child wasn't as much fun as iI could have made it. I was in the school choir which had gigs at the albert and fairfield halls which was a real experience but growing up listening to the early synth pop and later acid house , techno and jungle...piano lessons didn't make much sense lol I wanted to emulate what I heard then. My first keyboard was a casio with a built iin arranger I remember just wanting to make weird sounds on it rather than play oh when the saints...oh well

I'm using keyboards and have got myself a book called complete scales and arpeggios for piano to get the hand practice in.

XITE-1/4LIVE wrote:You'll just keep knocking down barriers and one day realize you can look at a note and sing it's pitch or write music in your head as you take a knap while flying or travelling.

That day seems very far off right now but sounds very liberating!! So what the EIS program?

thanks for the words of support man.

Here's the basic information.
I wanted to study this because I play so much music I didn't write, and while folks appreciate it when you Nail a popular synth solo, I miss playing originals.
I will keep doing it though because I am known for certain things and it is a living, but when I can play something while I am checking out babes and not even look at the keys or foot pedals, it's time to " Seek eversion elsewhere, on the Island. " ( Han..from the movie Enter The Dragon MGM 1972 ).

To keep from becoming a burned out robot, this is the ticket for me.
http://www.equalinterval.com/
http://www.jazzwax.com/

The Hanon excercises are awesome for building confidence and dexterity.
I have the books from 1970 still. PDF's are much easier for practicing.
In all honesty, these excercizes are harder on a plastic keyed controller.
Using the real keybed of an Upright will build strength too.
But set the velocity on your controller so the the MIDI Velocity numbers 100-127 must be triggered to hear audio. There should be 4 curves ( standard ) on your controller.

Cheers.

[quote="XITE-1/4LIVE"
I will keep doing it though because I am known for certain things and it is a living, but when I can play something while I am checking out babes and not even look at the keys or foot pedals, it's time to " Seek eversion elsewhere, on the Island. " ( Han..from the movie Enter The Dragon MGM 1972 ).
[/quote]


Ha! nice one lol Thanks for those links and tips

My controller which is a supernova II is a semi weighted affair, Fatar keybed I think so better than standard synth action but nowhere near as clunky as a real piano. How much time would you think should be spent split between theory, scale practice/exercise, composition, and actual song playing which could be considered as exercise again I suppose?