How useful is theory, and musical education

[Jason Brian Merrill]

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

Yeah, that's what's called "listening to shit music".

do you have anything good to say?

... just wondering.

[nuffink]

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

Yeah, that's what's called "listening to shit music".

do you have anything good to say?

... just wondering.

Do you have anything original to say? Just wondering because your last effort...

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

you are likely listening to the wrong ones then

... was like witless version of mine.

[ugo]

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

there are a lot of musicians out there who get into 'theory for theory's sake.' i think its often the case for those people that the construction of music ends up taking precedence over the substance. but thats not the theory's fault. its still up to the individual as to how they choose to apply it.

[zOap]

I think theory can help you out, especially when it comes to methods of giving the little twist that makes your music stand out. My teatcher told me that first you learn the rules, and the you learn to break the rules. And in many of those coolass tracks that really lifts you up, that is exactly what is done, combining scales or bits of scales to create tension is a useful and muchused method. Offcourse most of it still follows some rules, but you bend them alittle to get what you want.

I found that without my theory I was scared to play the black tangents, so most of my songs were c major. When I learned the theory the first thing I did was to transpond most of them into new scales. Then I learned how to bend the rules and make the interesting overlaps. I can honestly say I create better music now. This is offcourse viewed from a western musical point. I know shit about african music.

I think it really boils down to what you want from your music. If you like it how it is there is no need to learn theory. But if you want to learn more, why not? There is alot of really great tracks made by people who know shit about scales or even can't read notes. And as stated above, talent can't be learned, but you can give yourself the base of what you need to bring it to a new level.

And I think atleast you will create music faster with theory than without, reading up on scales and chords tend to do that. If the music is better, on the other hand, is another question.

[Jason Brian Merrill]

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

Yeah, that's what's called "listening to shit music".

do you have anything good to say?

... just wondering.

Do you have anything original to say? Just wondering because your last effort...

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

you are likely listening to the wrong ones then

... was like witless version of mine.

actually, no the statement is quite different.

PS. and umm,, nice trying to pass that off as wit

[Chuck E. Jesus]

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

Yeah, that's what's called "listening to shit music".

do you have anything good to say?

... just wondering.

Do you have anything original to say? Just wondering because your last effort...

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

you are likely listening to the wrong ones then

... was like witless version of mine.

actually, no the statement is quite different.

why don't you guys start calling each other homos? been kind of dull around here latey.....

[nuffink]

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

Yeah, that's what's called "listening to shit music".

do you have anything good to say?

... just wondering.

Do you have anything original to say? Just wondering because your last effort...

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

you are likely listening to the wrong ones then

... was like witless version of mine.

actually, no the statement is quite different.

why don't you guys start calling each other homos? been kind of dull around here latey.....

You might want to try that again. Laughing boy's edited his for added impact.




It didn't work.

[Jason Brian Merrill]

why don't you guys start calling each other homos? been kind of dull around here latey.....

o yeah and umm, i think you all need to masticate your esthetick.

[Jason Brian Merrill]

Yeah, that's what's called "listening to shit music".

do you have anything good to say?

... just wondering.

Do you have anything original to say? Just wondering because your last effort...

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

you are likely listening to the wrong ones then

... was like witless version of mine.

actually, no the statement is quite different.

why don't you guys start calling each other homos? been kind of dull around here latey.....

You might want to try that again. Laughing boy's edited his for added impact.




It didn't work.

have you just been bitter since ... o forget it.

anyway, im out. I think the answer is obvious in this thread.

[WoJ]

Yes.

[nuffink]

anyway, im out.

Not permanently I hope. Kvr can ill afford to lose a contributor of your substance.

[Dr.Wu]

Studying musical theory helped me a lot to understand the harmonic relationships between notes and to find new chordstructures to put underneath my melodies.
Of course i you have perfect pitch and a set of golden ears you can easily do without but for the common musician its a big help.

[vurt]

well i see this thread went as well as can be expected...

personal thoughts on music theory...
knowledge doesnt equal ability, or indeed neccassarrilly improve ability.
there rae many people both here at kvr and in the music industry have astounding musical knowledge but no soul, talent or imagination.

my own albeit minimal knowledge of theory has infact ruined some music for me, i find it very hard to switch it off without distraction, music i used to love on an emotional level has now turned into a mathematical equation. i sit listening to for instance pink floyd, and all i can do is count along.
i know this is a personal thing and in no way am i trying to stop people learning what they want to learn, but i just wish i could turn it off sometimes.
theory in and of itself hasnt helped me do what i enjoy doing, but nor has it hindered me. it has however helped with some of the things i do for cash not fun.

[nixnutz]

After 4 1/2 years I still haven't gotten to 50 posts, so I'm wondering, do the threads in Hyde Park degenerate from personal insults to discussing music?

[ATS]

hoenstly it seems like every time I hear someones song who has a ton of knowledge about theory, etc. it seems like they aren't that good at actually putting together a really cool song.

you are likely listening to the wrong ones then

maybe so that has just been my experience for whatever it's worth, which maybe isn't much.