Violet

Fionn Regan

That's understandable. I have 12+ years experience myself. Yeah, lack of knowledge is scary, but isn't it like that with anything, though? Like, when my baby brother and dad have conversations about cars, and they talk about how this specific one has a 383 cubic engine with 350 horsepower and 240 pounds of torque, and I'm like, "WUT TEH FOOK? :freak:" I have no idea what they're talking about. In fact, I'm pretty sure what I said isn't even a plausible scenario. That shows how much I (don't) know. Teehee. :tongue: Anyway, it just takes time. Give yourself some time to just explore with things a bit before you go jumping into things. I was lucky in the sense that A. I started theory training at a relatively young age, and B. I just happen to understand it as well as I do. I'm not normal in that sense. Most people have some sort of struggles with theory in a classroom setting, let alone you trying to get a head start on your own. A summer project of mine is to help my brother get a head start on Greek. (It's required for his (new) major.) Given that neither of us know a thing about Greek, it's going to be, to say the least, very interesting. It's kinda the same thing with you. I can say, though, that from what I can tell, you're a very smart individual, and I believe that in time, you'll be able to do just fine. Like I said, if you need anything in terms of this, just hit me up, and I'll help you out. :smiley:

Ahhh. That makes sense. I just have all my iTunes on shuffle at the moment. "That's How It Goes"-Michael Bublé

Daniel Lee Kendall

^ I almost used that one. Haha. "Shoot the Runner"-Kasabian

Yes! The Ting Tings

"Hanging By a Moment," once again via the radio. The Postal Service

Look at you, with your abundance of indie cred. :charming:

Yes, blues music typically uses a lot of seventh chords. (See? You're not a total n00b. :cheesy:) Truth be told, there aren't too many people that can actually hear things in their head like that. Most people have to do what your friend suggested to you and sing the intervals to themselves. Of course, the people I know are also college music majors and have more experience in that than you do. Basically, yes. Each type of chord/interval has a signature sound. Once you get that into your head, it becomes easy. However, for some people, it can be a challenge. There's a chunk of music majors here at my school that have done poorly-so poorly, they failed Aural Skills/Theory and had to retake it a year later. As far as basics go, you could be worse off. There were people who walked into Theory I not knowing what a treble clef was. I was like, "Really? :|" Anyway, I can try my best to help you with the aural training and things like that, if you so want. It's a bit difficult trying to explain this with just words. I'd try to explain that theme thing to you, but I don't want to unintentionally confuse you. I'm sorry. I don't think I'm being very helpful. I'm trying my best. :(

First, I have to say I'm jealous. I wish that specific AP test was offered at my school. Alas, it wasn't. :\ Anyway, music theory comes really easy to me. I made an A in all my college theory classes, and I expect to do the same in Music Form and Analysis (advanced theory class). In fact, I kinda want to get my master's in music theory. Now, how do I help you? There are textbooks and workbooks for this very thing. Look into those and read them. It's actually really easy in the beginning. It covers things like the staff and clefs and rhythms. From what I've heard, the AP Music Theory test covers material from your typical Theory I and II classes in college, so you'll probably get as far as part-writing and secondary dominants. Of course, you don't know what those are yet, but hopefully, your class will cover that if you don't get quite that far during the summer. As far as pitch goes, I personally have been given the gift of perfect pitch, so I've never really had that issue. With aural training, it's not really specific pitches you get trained on, so much as intervals and chords. I'm sure your instructor will cover those at some point. For example, the sounds of a major chord and a minor chord are different. For intervals, there are little tricks that you can use to help you. For example, the first two notes of the NBC jingle is a major 6th. These things go on. I have a feeling that I didn't really answer all your questions, but I am willing to help you in any way. Feel free to message me with any questions/concerns/problems you may have...or just post in this thread. I'm in the WoM all the time, so I'm bound to see it.

^ Very funny, Chuck. :tongue: Beirut

BAHAHAHA. This is most excellent. Mike would approve. :lol: "Please Don't Stop the Rain"-James Morrison

"Don't Waste Time Doing Things You Hate"-And So I Watch You From Afar

Wow. This is failing. No again. My Chemical Romance

Honestly, I don't remember. I think Owl City was one I found on my own just randomly. I heard "Vanilla Twilight" and fell in love with it, then looked for more. I'm eagerly awaiting the new album next month. :wacky: Muse

So. Much. Radiohead. :freak: "Aberdeen"-Cage the Elephant

Radiohead vs. Sigur Rós

No. Adele

^ Well, "Reptilia" is on "Guitar Hero 3." Maybe that's where you found it...? I remember seeing that one music video for that one song. It went like, "Hate is a strong word, but I really, really, really don't like you." Then, of course, "Hey Delilah," which also became overplayed big time. Don't get me wrong. It's a nice song. However, you can only take so much of it before you have to stop and say, "OK, you can stop now. It's getting old." And for the longest time, the radio didn't, and everyone was into that song so much. I'm sitting here like, ":bomb:" Noah and the Whale

No. Arctic Monkeys

^ :thumbsup: "Talk Show Host"-Radiohead

PFFFT. The White Stripes vs. White Lies

Once again, I get stuck with Z. EVERY TIME. :disappointed: (The) Zutons

"Over My Head (Cable Car)" got stupidly overplayed on the radio here. :sick: The Strokes

Nope. Radiohead