I have been trying to make house and disco music for about 25 years and so far its not working for me. I think my lack of theory is holding me back, but every time I try to get a better understanding its so confusing I get immediately overwhelmed, learning disabilities aren't helping. I know basic minor/pentatonic/dorian scales on guitar/bass, and can transfer most of what I learn on guitar to keys fairly easily, but its not getting me past a point where all my ideas and melodies are so simple they sound like cheesy nursery rhymes. What specifically should I be learning to get to where I need to be? I haven't had any luck with free online options, should I consider music classes at the community college I already attend for (ugh) accounting? I'm not interested in becoming a music theory expert, not trying to dedicate decades to learning every little detail, I just want enough to make basic dance tunes like those from producers I know are somehow making without extensive music backgrounds.
I tried walking away from this numerous times, but it keeps eating at me. I ruined my life trying to pursue a career in music/audio and I don't just want to walk away from all the effort I have put in, hoping to salvage it into some sort of fulfilling hobby if I can separate it from the emotions around my failure.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Submitted April 11, 2022 at 01:21PM by growthoriented https://www.reddit.com/r/Learnmusic/comments/u1bhbj/sufficient_theory_for_dance_music_without_being/?utm_source=ifttt