Re: Learning mandolin and music theory?
Originally Posted by
allenhopkins
Some Appalachian banjo player reportedly replied, when asked if he could "read notes," "Well, not enough to hurt my playin'!" Same with music theory: doesn't hurt to learn it, can be useful in understanding what you're already doing, can help you solve problems as you develop, shouldn't intimidate you if you don't know very much when you start out.
I was interviewing an elderly Ottawa Valley fiddler many years ago, and asked, "Can you read music?" He replied, "No, I can't read a word of it." I thought that sounded like an honest answer.
By the way, I'm with Jill and Allen, above, unless you're a person who really loves theory.
Last edited by Ranald; Jul-21-2021 at 11:52am.
Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
"I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.
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