Is Scaler 3 good for "learning" music theory or not?

[sergio007sergio]

In your opinion, is Scaler 3, or similar software, good for learning music theory in a more practical way (the one that's more producer-oriented than classical)?
I often ask myself this question, also because it doesn't seem to me to be a simple drag & drop of chords with AI compared to its competitors

[osiris]

I couldn't get it to work in FL Studio, even after watching multiple vids on YT.

[Michael L]

Start with ear training to hear chord structure, and play with harmonies on your midi controller. Don’t let an app get in the way.

[davidec]

It was made for this exact reason and is an excellent tool to learn music theory whilst writing music. There is no AI to make it up for you. You do the work, create your own harmonies and melodies all whilst Scaler 3 is giving you information such as scale notes, chord functions, chord extensions etc etc. It's how I become very comfortable with advance music theory!

[satYatunes]

It will help learning if you reverse engineer the results like why it suggested so and so chord. Circle of Fifth is there so that can help learning as well. Otherwise you just get the results by clicking buttons.

[jancivil]

learning music theory in a more practical way (the one that's more producer-oriented than classical)?

I haven't used it or anything of the sort, so I can't weigh in on its workings, or how it makes a learning experiennce more efficient per se.

I did notice that remark in parentheses, which to me is not nor does it suggest any definition of "practical" through itself. To me, over years and years around fora like this, "producer-oriented" has connoted a dependence on software to "produce" set before the experience of becoming a musician; as a kind of cart before the horse, so this kind of colors the discussion from the outset.

I imagine it could be used intelligently as a tool towards understanding the connections between scales and chords. I also envision something less fun than a personal exploration on an instrument, I mean not prompted by an algorithm or anything. I honestly couldn't care less why an algorithm arrived at the thing, I have a brain my own self for that.

[jancivil]

"Music Theory" is actually harmonic theory in most of what we'll call music theory. It begins with diatonic harmonies, and in pretty much any course say in a college or university is about harmonizing a melody (could be a bass line) with 'good voice-leading'. This practice *is* from "classical music". The 'rules' come down from observations of JS Bach's practice.

Jazz theory is also harmonic theory and this practice does tend to have basic expectations from chromatic (typically 'second year') harmony, though may not get in the weeds so much with certain rules made to ensure a kind of hygienic voice leading. I don't know what Scaler does as regards voice-leading/part-writing.

So I have really no insight into what would be different for "a producer" as opposed to "a musician".
I'd need it illustrated.

[audiogoeroe]

Scaler is very good to learn about music theory and visualise patterns etc. Highly recommended.

[LRS23]

Thanks

[heliacal]

It will hinder your progress. Listen to peoples examples, it sounds like random gibberish a child put together or a blindfolded monkey. Learn to read music, play the keys, and get something like the following to connect your physicality with the sound:
https://ekladata.com/ye4NRe3upzYwIysHSi ... me-One.pdf

[jancivil]

The thing for me is that coming to the claims you see on the Scaler developer's site means one is not prepared with any criteria to judge such claims, absent the experience this is, TBF created to obviate (more or less); they're evidently very good at marketing and clearly they know what they're doing. So, I don't know and I can't advise, but I would want a trial version before throwing a hundred bucks at a problem.

My first course in it was like a dream, I had a fantastic teacher and I was prepared to write. So we'd do the exercise, harmonize a melody or bass line by the figured bass and he'd play what you did. Totally organic, human experience, more than positive in my case.

[dps]

My opinion is to start with circle of fifths and learn scales. These provide the foundation for any and all harmonic music theory!