Author Topic: Is music theory really important ??? (Read 36952 times)

Wontolla · « **Reply #30 on:** January 07, 2016, 05:20:45 pm »

Someone once said "music theory is descriptive, not prescriptive". It doesn't tell you what to do, it just describes what's already there, and gives you the tools to do more with it. So if someone tells you it "limits their creativity", tell them they're full of it.

Kenny Troy · « **Reply #31 on:** January 07, 2016, 05:51:44 pm »

You do not need to know music theory to produce music. But there is a reason professionals use music theory. You know what I'm saying?

Below is an excerpt from a comment I posted on someone else's thread. I am keeping this post short because I believe a lot of people before me have already adequately answered the question, and I agree with a lot of what was said.
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IsaacHarris · « **Reply #32 on:** January 07, 2016, 05:55:54 pm »

Yes music theory is extremely important.
I love the carpenter analogy.

Yes one can build great antiques and tables without any schooling or education but learning music theory is akin to learning a set of tools to assist you in building and crafting the perfect song.

Without learning music theory a producer will always feel as they have one hand tied behind their back an the music will be less original. there is a reason that 50% of edm songs are written in A minor(the white keys) becuase we all skip the hard steps.

I cant find the link but I remember seeing a video where avicii is in the studio(not the FM vid) but it was for a jean company, but here is my point he pays a classical musician (in his twenties) to sit in the studio with him this is becuase avicii never learned the theory so he is constrained and now needs a partner to help him compose.

The question should be what can I do to develope my music theory knowledge? (not a forum to excuse yourself from doing the neccesary work)

Nirmana · « **Reply #33 on:** January 07, 2016, 07:20:15 pm »

I would say the theory is so important to learn it ASAP. Why? Because we can't turn back time and you can take a whole of your lifetime to learn it.

In this case, I'm comparing to DJ-ing which really related to producing. It's like knowing the basic genre, basic beat calculating, how to beatmatch, knowing keynote songs (and what's next song that consider to be fit to be mix by the note), how to mash-up live, etc etc. Furthermore, you'll get more thirsty of this kind of knowledge, and starting to digging the knowledge of how to read the crowd, how to get in the mix for an hour with 5 genres / wide range bpm, how to be an opener / closer DJ (these spot are much harder than guest star DJ), how to make the flows, how to get to know if you crowds looks happy or boring, and how to change that crowd goes like what you want.

Back in the days, I'm learning the basic of DJing by making podcast with Mixmeister Fusion. Firstly, I learn the basic of music anatomy (what is verse, reff, breakdown, drops, bridge, prelude, interlude, postlude, etc). It doesn't learned in months, cause it took almost 2 years, and today, I'm still learning on it (because every kind / genre of music has it's own anatomy). Secondly I've entered small gigs and start to learn how to chill myself first (yes, nervous will always there, if you're excited), and continuously learning how to read the crowds, make a flow, and all things mentioned above this paragraph. This hurts me a little bit when I know that learning the scale / keynote is so important, because when I'm a kid I'm just a drummer and never touch any piano / guitar. But as the time goes by, I'm still excited about it, want to learn it, and earn my own works as people appreciate it well.

Simply said, learning something has no "Too late" in it. Just go and be happy with it.

Kenny Troy · « **Reply #34 on:** January 07, 2016, 07:27:43 pm »

In addition to what I mentioned before..

Look on Beatport Top 100. Every song has a listed Key signature.

Music Theory. All over.

Wontolla · « **Reply #35 on:** January 07, 2016, 08:19:55 pm »

Quote from: Kenny Troy on January 07, 2016, 07:27:43 pm

In addition to what I mentioned before..

Look on Beatport Top 100. Every song has a listed Key signature.

Music Theory. All over.

I think those are generated automatically. Half the "major" tracks are actually minor, and sometimes they're just wrong.

FarleyCZ · « **Reply #36 on:** January 07, 2016, 08:32:38 pm »

Quote from: Wontolla on January 07, 2016, 05:20:45 pm

Someone once said "music theory is descriptive, not prescriptive". It doesn't tell you what to do, it just describes what's already there, and gives you the tools to do more with it. So if someone tells you it "limits their creativity", tell them they're full of it.

This.

Music is essentially brain having a good time with math around the frequencies it hears. What this "math" is and how it works, that's what you learn in music theory. But there is a point where you should stop. Once you feel you "have to do this or that becouse you were tought this way", you should stop learning. ...to preserve some creative freedom.

...also it's not "required" to know theory. Freaking Hans Zimmer once told to deadmau5 he has hard times reading notes. But it's really useful as you get to know what's actually going on in your track.

Author Topic: Is music theory really important ??? (Read 36952 times)

Wontolla

Re: Is music theory really important ???

Kenny Troy

Re: Is music theory really important ???

IsaacHarris

Re: Is music theory really important ???

Nirmana

Re: Is music theory really important ???

Kenny Troy

Re: Is music theory really important ???

Wontolla

Re: Is music theory really important ???

FarleyCZ

Re: Is music theory really important ???