music theory

this isnt learning to read and write music on staffs and all that right?if not then what is music theory and how can it help me?

Music theory can be simply put as understanding the reading of notes, keys, scales, chord progressions, etc... and how they compliment each other, along with arranging, the interaction as being played with other instruments, and other things....the theory of music is actually unlimited, because learning music and performing is unlimited.....

http://www.musictheory.net - this MIGHT help...

http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/html/id40_en.html - introduction to chords...

theory is a good thing to learn about. not too sure how to explain it, but look it up on google.com or something. if you need anymore links..

wiredsounds.com/links

music theory teaches u how to write sheet music for an instrument's specific timbre. Music theory also involves having rythm, and knowing what sound is at what pitch. You also learn how to improvise/analyze by recognizing cadences, chords in measures. You will know when two sounds will harmonize, when notes will sound decent as a melody, and what will sound dissonant. You have to determine the order of the notes, each notes duration, the scale, etc for a peice of music.
After you can read the grand staff maybe play some peices in the pentatonic scales maybe move your hands around on the piano check out the book The Study of Orchestration by Samuel Adler from a college library plus u need the cds w/ this book.

music theory takes the guesswork out of constructing melodies and chord progressions and improvisation. You don't have to learn it but it sure is handy. For a bit more advanced theory after you check out those sites flip through the jazz theory book by mark levine.