I want to write a story involving musicians . . .

All Nines

. . . but my knowledge of musical conventions is little, and I have yet to work a music theory class into my school schedule (perhaps next year). The piece in question is mostly a character-based drama/harem work (don't look at me like that. >_>), so I can get through the main plot without actually mentioning music in terms of composition, but I feel like there's a piece missing that could add that much extra flavor.

I suppose independent research is my best option, but, but . . . :<

DonZabu

Is it about people who've already been playing music for a while, or people who are learning to play music? You could probably get away with not explaining the theory in the former, but probably not in the latter.

All Nines

^ Both. The story begins when a girl asks a guitar prodigy in her class to teach her how to play guitar, to get close to him, and it mostly works because he's really nice/submissive and does whatever people ask of him. It also involves his band and other bands. Stuff like that.

This will probably be one of those stories that I go back to and write in college, when my writing has improved and I have taken music theory classes. But until then, I'll work on the plot.

DYRE

I can't imagine knowing music theory would matter too much when it comes to writing a story about being a musician, especially when it's, as you said, a character based drama/harem.  Actually being a musician could potentially help, but I don't think that's really too important.  That said, it's probably a good idea to at least learn something about music, to make it seem like it's not just a story about characters doing stuff... and also they happen to be musicians.  (Then again, Kakifly really does play the guitar and K-On! still fits that description...)

^ After reading this post I've changed my mind somewhat.  You definitely should at least have some understanding of guitar, at least.  Mostly because if you don't it'll end up being really obvious, probably...

All Nines

When I have more time to myself and am on my own, making my own money, I'll probably try to learn guitar. The biggest difficulty I can find is not having the patience for it.

MillerCross

Ask and you shall receive. What do you want to know?

All Nines

Everything.

/semi-serious

But in full seriousness, the extent to which I am uneducated in music theory would mean that explaining everything I want/need to know would take too much of your time for me not to feel guilty about it. And I don't know where to start.

Thanks a heap for the offer, though.

MillerCross

Eh, I don't have anything else to do.

But it's your choice. And if the angle is drama/characters then what I say won't be that relevant.

All Nines

Hopefully not. But I just feel like writing the story would be empty without more intricacy in that respect.

As for figuring out the guitar, I would also prefer to do it when I actually have a guitar so I can contextualize. >.>

Hopefully it won't be a huge roadblock.