Does Knowledge of Theory Help You?

[Sixofour]

Sixofour, calm down and behave civilly. You'll get just one warning this time.

Oh wait, meffy, that was really slick. Tell me to calm down to point the attention to me, as if I am the uncivil one. And because your a moderator, it will even presuade more people to take your side on it. Hah!

Talk about abusing your power.

You know what, whatever. I'm done with this debate. I will stop while I am ahead.

[jopy]

Musical Theroy has never taught me anything new musically. I already knew every single thing in theory, without training.

I like to bookend with this demonstration of your modesty, since you think I'm arrogant.

1. Theories are just opinions. If it was a fact, it would be a fact. Do you deny that a theory is an opinion?

Very closely read through what I said to see that I said repeatedly that music theory is absolutely a matter of conjecture and opinion.

2. Certain aspects of music theory are debateable..again, you deny that?

Very closely read through what I said and see where I said repeatedly that music theory is debatable and constitutes dozens of points of view.

3. I never said music theory was a set of rules, nor implied it, So basicly, you are just lieing throubh your teeth. You brought up the idea of it being a set of rules.

Very closely read through what you said about music theory teachers stating absolute facts as being beyond question, and try to realize how that sounds very much like you're saying that theory is a set of rules that must be followed.

You think Theory is fact, and that not a single part of it is debateable or to be questioned. That is jmeier's view everyone. He disagrees with music theory being the opinions of many people over the years, and he disagrees with any part of it being in any shape or form questionable.

Have you read a single word I've written? I don't think you have, because I haven't come within a country mile of saying that. I clearly said, "music theory courses encourage debate and consideration of alternative ways of thinking about musical concepts. it's not a set of rules and some people don't find it useful." I said that there are several theories of music that can or cannot be applied across a variety of fields.

Musical Theroy has never taught me anything new musically. I already knew every single thing in theory, without training.

[Nystul]

1. Theories are just opinions. If it was a fact, it would be a fact. Do you deny that a theory is an opinion?

Seriously? Theory is abstract modeling. Facts and opinions are not. Would you call "CEG is a major triad" an opinion? How about "1+2=3"?

[amiga909]

stuff

Who said anything about not learning theory?

I'm talking about not holding theory up to infallable standards. Its something many young musicians fall into, they learn theory then they get an arrogant superiority complex and act as if they are masters of the universe. And this phenomena is VERY common. Look at jmeier for instance.

I agree theory - in the sense of academic music classes ('classic' music) - can lead to arrogance. it happens when u believe abstractions are superior over reality: everything that does not fit into an abstracted theory looks wrong. thus you live in an artificial reality, which makes you insecure in the end and you need to overcome that with arrogance.
but on the other hand I dont want to say practical knowledge is more accurate than theory. for in reality there is no (perfect) accuracy. and its same as arrogant to believe your practical knowlesge is superior.

-> theory is accurate but not real
-> practics are inaccurate but real

--> you need accuracy for self esteem and confidence. in other words: we all need to make sense of what we do - for personal health and/or for quality results.

---> once again: its not a question of theory OR practics (exclusive OR), its the question of the combination and the definition of the both.

waht do others think about it? when/how did you do great music? how did you progress in your music?

[jancivil]

waht do others think about it? when/how did you do great music? how did you progress in your music?

By improvising 'freely'. Many things were drilled into me, sometimes self-drilled , but I am able to Not Think. Use a comfy drill if you wanna try this at home, typa thing.

[xtp]

I have always found musical knowledge helpful, it often helps me gain insight into my improvisation. I find intuitive playing can be enhanced by understanding.