The most difficult part of music theory;

Besides the modes or scales, what do you consider the most difficult thing about music theory?

AP Theory.

Haha none is really hard, acctually once you understand it its rather easy. But you gotta know it and understand it.

I think the most difficult part is getting it all together. That is really diffcult. Besides that, you can never learn enough about harmony

is to apply it wisely

getting it all together

agreed

"forgetting" it. Too many people get lost in the jumble of "well it has to be in key" or "I have to do this"/"I have to do that"/"It has to be this" or something like those. Knowing theory is some of the most important stuff in music IMO, but being able to "forget" about the "rules" that most people apply to it is completely different. In a sense you can do anything you want regardless of what chords work together with what modes etc. etc.

"You've only got 12 notes and however you mix them up is your thing." Eddie Van Halen

Most of the time when you are saying "It has to be in key" it's because you don't know enough about music theory :)

In a progression like... let's say G, D, F, C

Obviously one of those major chords is out of key... or is it? There is theory to this... and most of the time people don't know.

my point was, being able to forget about all that you have learned about theory and being able to make actual music. Ears are waaaaay more important than the paper work involved in writing.

For me personally, I'd say applying it. I swear I can think perfectly away from the guitar, but as soon as i have it in my hands my mind draws a blank.

I agree that applying it get's tough. Especially on improvs. I find myself playing Ionian or Aeolian with a few passing tones.

@Admiral...you can never learn enough harmony. +1 +3 +5...

I know way more about the guitar, in terms of scales and chords and what to use and when, aside from any theory. However, learning theory helps me to understand what I'm doing and why. I almost never create anything new with theory in mind. But if I need to explain it to myself or someone else, theory comes in handy.

@case211, I agree with EVH. My 4 year old daughter is a wonderful singer and creates her own songs on the fly complete with lyrics and melody and all the musical dynamics that go along with a great song. She has no idea what she's doing. I asked her music teacher what his secret was. He says he just encourages her to be creative and to so whatever comes natural. He told me to do the same thing.

most definitely man. I live by that quote haha

classical theory analizing bach and mozart is so hard because not everything is black and white. so far that has been the hardest for me.