I`m a freshman in highschool and I`m so depressed about something it`s not even funny. Before school started I signed up for music theory class. I thought I would benefit from it seeing as how I aspired to major in music. Ugh. Soon after it started I realized that I absolutely HATE theory. It sucks all the fun out of music, making it feel like a chore. This really depresses me because I can`t imagine pursuing a career in something other than music, but I know if this is what I want to do a ton of theory is in my future. But I know I`m just going to start hating music if I continue with theory.

My desire for playing my flute and piccolo has evaporated considerably thanks to theory. Playing is ALL I used to do but now I don`t even enjoy it all that much. If anyone can give me any advice on anything, it would be much appreciated.

theory isn`t that bad.It really depends on your attitude. I knew a lot of people who hated theory in university, because they though of it in the wrong way. Ok, basic theory might not be exciting but harmony and analysis are really cool and really do help you understand the music better. AND helps with playing because you understand the music better.

BTW. I was a theory major in university and am willing to help you if you have any questions

Hmm. First of all, also as a freshman in high school, I wish I could take music theory!!

Music theory is vital. My friend had to re-teach me how to transpose this year because I took a theory class at a band camp 3 years ago that taught me but I forgot!!

You can also see if you can drop the class, if you hate it so much!

I`m not going to drop it because it`s too late. I actually enjoy the class because of the people in it and the teacher, I just hate theory. I`m just scared it`s going to turn me off of music for ever which would be sad seeing as how I love music so much. Before break we were doing aral (or however you spell it) training which I didn`t mind, but when the semester is over we`re going back to the stuff I hate.

How can you see theory in a different way? I`d really love to not hate it. Please enlighten me.

Take the full breadth of theory courses you can get at a local community college so that when you do apply for college you`ll have knocked back one of your major obstacles. I would not take it as a high school course where you depend on your grade. That can hurt...

It`s only hard when it`s new. So long as you study and do your homework you should pass your tests. In theory... lol

Also Piano wouldn`t hurt either... you will be expected to play piano proficiently too.

hmm... other odd music courses you should expect...
Musicianship - Identify pitches, intervals, and rhythm by hearing them.
Music History - Baroque, Romantic, Classical, yadda yadda who, what, when, where, why
Music Literature - Books... about music.
Flute Jury Recitals - Fun! Unless you`re not prepared, then be scared. SHOULD be an easy A.
Piano Jury recitals - Conflict of interest... sucks practice time from flute.
Liberal Arts Math - lol...
Composition - That piano and theory come in hand...
Choral/Voice - prepare... to sing!

Thanks Piko. That`s really helpful. My band director (also my theory teacher) said he was going to make theory an AP course so one could`ve gotten college credit for it but he didn`t. I kind of wish he had though.

I`ll look into taking some courses at a nearby community college. Thanks again.

You don`t have to take an AP class to take the AP exam. Look into taking the exam - that is what gets you the college credit!

Sarah, theory is to music what grammar is to language, it is vital to understand it. The problem is, it is usually taught in a dry manner and unrelated to the music. When you learn how the great composers use the language of theory to tell their stories, then you will see it differently, you just need teachers who will do that, but most don`t. I used to hate theory, now it fascinates me.

"You don`t have to take an AP class to take the AP exam. Look into taking the exam - that is what gets you the college credit!"

Thats what my friends doing. He`s learning music theory from his piano teacher and is going to take the exam at the end of the year.

However, since she`s a freshman, I don`t think freshman can take AP exams.

Ugh Piko, I feel your pain on the piano stuff. It was really stinky to go to college and for the professors to have an expectation for you to practice flute 3 hours a day and piano 3 hours a day. Not to mention the fact that they rush you through piano and expect you to become proficient on an instrument in 1 semester. YUCK.

As far as learning theory goes, you can do some fun little things to make it more interesting. I used to drive around in the car and figure out the time signature to pieces I was listening to. I also used to practice singing funny intervals so I got to the point where I could recognize them, pretty quick. Of course that leads more into sight-singing and ear training than theory.

What are you learning in your class? Is it just rhythms and the circle or fifths, or are you learning more advanced theory like modes and composition? I personally hated the "rules" of composition. I wanted to have to attitude of "if Mozart wrote it this way why can`t I?"

Let us know what you are working on and maybe we can come up some ideas to make it fun for you!

I hated taking piano lessons!

Me too. *bump*

Look, I take theroy to and I know your feeling. Tae it one ste at a time. Make it fun for yourself and do you best. I too advice from my band teachher, he said that persuing a profession in music is alot of hard work, but awesome when you see the reward. Good Luck

well, learning theory can be extremely annoying, however, after learning it most other music will be very easy. and the piano classes will be a piece of cake!

"What are you learning in your class?"

Right now we are just reviewing for finals but we just finished a unit on aural training which I actually enjoyed. We identified intervals, triad types, 7th chords, and we even did some major/minor triad inversion indentifying which was hardest.

Before we started aural training we did secondary dominance and all that jazz which I didn`t understand at all, but I studied a bit a few days ago (because I was inspired by all of the people on this board who had theory too and passed) and I had no problem today when we were reviewing. I guess I just need to develope better study habits and not be discouraged so quickly.

Now what I really need to study is non-chord tones, candences, phrases, and periods. I don`t remember anything about any of those things nor do I think I ever understood them when we were supposed to be learning them in class. Ughh. I don`t really want to learn about them though. They don`t seem so exciting.