Now, I’m not recommending everybody do this, but getting back into accordion has REALLY helped with my music theory understanding. The circle of fifths finally makes sense. There are a couple of reasons for this:
The accordion’s Stradella bass system is pretty much the circle of fifths.
Figuring out key signatures and the sharps of a scale (I haven’t yet moved onto the flats side of the circle) is SO MUCH EASIER when you understand what the circle of fifths is (thanks, Stradella!) and you have a piano keyboard right there.
I will admit that I have had one hell of a time memorizing the bass guitar fretboard. I just can’t make it stick in my gray matter. But the piano keyboard… it seems as if it were built for theory and theory were built around it. Need a C? It’s the white key immediately to the left of any set of 2 black keys. Need a B? It’s the white key to the left of any C (it’s also the note on the middle line of the treble clef… so if you can find a B, you can easily figure out the staff).
Anyway, accordion might be a bit niche, but if you are having trouble with theory on the bass guitar - especially when it comes to fretboard notes, key signatures, and other stuff swirling the circle of fifths - get something with a piano keyboard. If you’re anything like me, it will open it right up.
It’s definitely helpful! We have a 61 key keyboard as a sort of educational device and just to try out melodies and stuff, as a bonus it also has drum tracks. Inexpensive keyboards abound at yard sale/thrift store type spots because lots of people intend for their kids to play piano but don’t stick with it.
Yep been saying this all along. Much of music theory (and especially things like diatonic chords) is just so much more visually obvious with a keyboard.
I was randomly watching a video about how accordions work and it was mesmerizing! So many valves!
I started piano and learning sight reading at age 4 and I totally agree in many ways keyboards are easier. However by the time I was a teenager learning guitar it had become a crutch. I found myself translating everything into keyboard because I had such a hard time understanding chord progressions and the fretboard. And while that sort of worked I never really improved much.
I started playing bass after I developed memory loss issues so it was coming to it with a blank slate. My takeaway now as I’m relearning a lifetime of music theory is that having knowledge of both keyboard and fretted instrument fundamentals is the way to go! And that if one instrument isn’t making things click to try another one!
Although maybe not oboe… while I thoroughly enjoyed The Noises I Could Make with it I somehow suspect my neighbors were less enthusiastic about it.
