Music theory from 0 for Scaler fans who are non-theorists?

Scaler 2 General Discussion
1

I’m very keen on reading music theory, especially now, for using Scaler, hopefully Scaler 3. Something more basic than a Scaler user manual and School of Synthesis. Something major on rock bottom music theory logically progress to the advanced but not so advanced that Scaler 2/3 does not cover.

Especially fit for Scaler users, do you have a book (easily accessible online) or website or just a table of content laying out jargon from top to bottom logically? I mean, without what I am looking for, I am approaching music theory like using an index page without any meaningful sequence, or like a project-based research ie. I search whenever I don’t understand something. I know there should be faster (and easier reference for future refreshment) learning materials than those two. Do you know any? Am I explaining myself?

I’m reading just for Scaler. That’s the goal. And I am not learning theory because I want to know any of it. I want theory for its benefit in writing actual music and if I put that practically, that’s using Scaler.

It’s alright if you throw me a canon type of music theory book/ list… I can take it… Anything else? That “more” can just be a table of content… Am I being unimaginative??

I feel I should explain “A canon type of book”… Some book of thousands of pages structured for the holiness of knowledge. My something is structured for just one product: Scaler. I point that out because I feel that Scaler is built from a huge amount of theories, distilled. I haven’t used Scaler for a long while (because I am occupied by other things) but I do recall, back then, I did not know (still) why Scaler’s UI is designed as it is. In Scaler, why do I want to use the functions in panel A first, then B, then C? There got to be some giant brain full of theories behind the overall design flow of Scaler. When I graduated secondary school, I could no way Remember why I couldn’t figure out 1+1=2. Same thing for Scaler manual and tutorials I guess. Why are there 8 slots? Theorists give their long answers. I just want to know reasons like: “Listeners feel in 4.” or even “It is in musicians’ DNA to write in 4 bars!” ← less encouraging but that’s what I am looking for- not in the sense of music theory but that’s the type of explanations that I am looking for, in using Scaler.

2

First Aids Request:

What is the (sequential) list of jargon you have in mind to understand why one part of Scaler flow to another??

3

My posts are lonely :frowning: I’m replying :slight_smile: I have a feeling that things will be more functional and enjoyable in Scaler soon.

I have brushed up my music theory. They boil down to:

(Browse page-A) I have an idea. Translate it into chords. A light dream about the big harmony classes: functional or? Quartal or? Negative!? Then, I can pick a scale in (B).

(Browse page-B) I have a full vanilla scale. I can modify each chord per se by clicking V9.

(Browse page-C) I can take note of what’s worth from (A) and (B) in (C) anytime, in the language of chord progression. I can modify the progression using my mouse.

(Browse page) I can drag & drop those chords into my DAW to get all warm and fuzzy with the derived arps and ostinatos. Many functions above the piano roll in (C); maybe I can do lots right inside Scaler. Glue friendly notes by a rhythm then voila- a motif is born! Motifs in hand, it’s serious time to put them into homey bar groups with time signatures and tempi. So now I have a longer but rather deserted music sheet.

Warm-up done. Sketching done. Next page.

(Create page) Things gets dirty here. Mission: fill up my sheet. In the wilderness, bring a compass like the “Cicrle of Fifths”. Modifications are no longer local like in the Browse page; just see “Modulation” so at least think in phrases. “Explore”? Heart-pumping??That might be off-the-guidebook non-diatonic stuff lurking. “V9” still hanging around for any nitty-gritty. All very messy work overall. So I am allowed many slots in “Sketch”.

(Arrange page) doesn’t look too intimidating.

That’s all. My best so far. Do tell what I not see. You are seeing a lot more?? I watched “Scaler 3 Prerelease Reveal”.

4

Yeah that sounds like you have your own interpretation going on there and it makes sense. The thing I find about Scaler is whilst there are ‘workflows’ there are several way to use it. We always try and accomodate most peoples preferences of how they like to use it and Scaler 3 is good at doing that and feel more fluid to me. We will have a bunch of Tutorials, Guided Videos and Creative Videos at launch and if you could be bothered they will help greatly.

2 Likes
5

Yeahhh I’ve spent weeks on music theory that pops out here and there.

:slightly_smiling_face: I look forward to see how others figure out stuff!