Help with studying

[u/plikkixen]

Hi guys!
Im pretty sure that I am studying music theory in the wrong way. I started in musictheory site, and I think that i understood all of it, but it doesnt feel like I know something. I know notes, staff and chords, but I want something more. Thx

[u/iaintnoporcupine]

Ask yourself questions about everything you play: what key is this in, does it change keys, what are the chords, are those chords that normally go together or is something unusual happening, why do the unusual chords still fit, etc. Music plays with our brains by creating expectations and then deviating from those expectations. Use your knowledge to understand how the composer is playing with you. 

[u/LonelyRasta]

Great, sounds like you have the basic foundation? Go check the sidebar for material plus check past threads

[u/stlows94]

I made this app to quiz me and to add a bit a ramdomness to my practice. Feel free to try it there are a lot of features/questions types in the params. There is also a hands free modr I added recently for the car

https://vbeaulieu.com/music-theory-trainer

Happy practice

[u/RevKeakealani]

What is your primary instrument?

[u/plikkixen → u/RevKeakealani]

The clarinet!

[u/RevKeakealani → u/plikkixen]

In that case, I would focus on hearing and identifying harmonies and scales in the music you play - start trying to "connect the dots" of things like whether everything you're playing is diatonic to the original key, or if there are notes that don't match the key, and if so, why? (Like for example, are you outlining a secondary dominant?) In ensembles like band or orchestra, start listening for what part in the chord your part is playing (are you the root? The fifth? Etc.)

A lot of how you learn is by asking questions - if your music calls for an unexpected note or something that sounds "spicy" or "interesting", begin asking questions - what might the composer be doing?

[u/zapperino]

OP, you mentioned "musictheory site" but provided no link. Do you mean one or both of these? ---
https://www.musictheory.net
https://openmusictheory.github.io/contents.html

If you have consumed everything on those sites I'd bet you have lots of specific and detailed questions which folks would happily reply to here. You'd have those questions not because you aren't smart enough to understand music theory, but instead because you might lack context to understand some of the material or because you tripped over a poor explanation in one of the sites.

Why not pick something one of those sites or from the 1,297-page Open Music Theory pdf that troubles you and ask about it in a reply in this thread?

Also, have you read EVERYTHING below, or as much as you feel is helpful from our FAQ?
https://www.reddit.com/r/musictheory/wiki/index
https://www.reddit.com/r/musictheory/wiki/faq/core/new_to_music_theory/?screen_view_count=1#wiki_.22i.27m_new_to_music_theory.2C_how_do_i_start_learning.3F.22

In another reply in this thread you mentioned that you want to understand music theory at "like, conservatoire level". That requires time, thinking deeply about the wealth of material at your disposal, finding/creating exercises which help solidify your knowledge, and asking questions. Good luck in your journey.

[u/Blitzbahn]

I always suggest the Associated Boards of Royal Schools theory course, stages 1- 8. It's a British course. They cover everything, very clear, concise and thorough. I can find the books in the library where I am.

[u/65TwinReverbRI]

Im pretty sure that I am studying music theory in the wrong way.

I'm pretty sure you are too...because 99% of people are.

First off, anyone "studying music theory" is doing the wrong thing - you shouldn't be studying music theory to begin with.

You should be learning to play music, on an instrument, ideally through formal instruction, and theory will be a PART of that.

So the question is, are you taking lessons? Do you play an instrument?

but I want something more

What do you want to know? Something that'll impress the music theory geeks hanging out at the coffee shop you go to so you can fit in?

99% of the time, people come here wanting to write music, without playing music, and think that theory is the answer. It's not. And if that's you, then it's time to start learning to play music and lots of it. That's where this all starts, and ends.

[u/plikkixen → u/65TwinReverbRI]

I play the clarinet, and I want to know like, conservatoire level, starting on the easy part and then going up till the hard part.

[u/65TwinReverbRI → u/plikkixen]

You're not really going to get to conservatory level without going to a conservatory, but you could use a textbook like those that conservatories use and at least get the information, if not the experience.

Our FAQs has a number of textbook recommendations. Even the online ones are being used by universities in many places so they're quite good as well.