What use is theory to you?

[reith]

Does anyone have views on how important learning theory is to composition. By theory I mean the stuff beyond the rudiments; so include voice-leading (as I believe it's called in America; harmony in the UK, usually starting with 4-part); counterpoint; figured bass... I'm not sure there is a theory of orchestration/arranging.

I had to 'obey the rules' during academic years but they pertain to quite narrow periods of music and while I haven't dispensed with them completely, I've found that a knowledge of theory has several benefits
- writing tidily (like, not leaving notes just hanging there)
- acutely improved aural skills,
- balance and chord layout,
- being more in control over the process of composition, like an awareness of what one is doing.

And similar...

How does theory sit with you?

[MaestroX]

I regard musc theory as one of the greatest tools a composer can have. Its essential to composing in certain styles. For example you can't compose baroque music without knowing some counterpoint.

I think one learns rules to learn how to break them effectivly. The rules may sound stupid but they all have a special reason to why they are there.

I'm not sure there is a theory of orchestration/arranging

Well, good part writing comes out of experience and leading by example. So studying scores is the primary method i use.

But to me, music theory is very important. Every skill you learn is another tool you can put into practice later and as you said reith you are more in control over the process of composition, which is very true.

[Bassoonery]

Yup I did grade 8 theory for fun last year (pass with merit!!) and although very little is really in my long-term memory (i taught myself from books) I think it was worth doing so that when i get properly taught it will be familiar and easier to put into practice.

I think theory is great fun to learn about because it helps understand why some compositions are good or bad and you can see exactly why a composer did what he did. In my own compositions I'd love to have more confidence because however restricting rules are, the fact is that the music will end up being better quality if the rules are followed.

I think you need to know what the rules are in order to be able to break them intelligently. "breaking the rules" without knowing what you're breaking is just lazy and ignorant.

I have to say up to grade 5, theory is incredibly boring but definitely venture beyond that because it really gets so much more exciting when they get you to demonstrate your knowledge in context rather than test your factual recall in isolated bars etc.

Wow I'm a real waffler...

[MaestroX]

Originally Posted by Bassoonery

"breaking the rules" without knowing what you're breaking is just lazy and ignorant.

I totally agree. I get taught music theory and composistion at home with an amazing teacher and great guy. The teachers in my school don't know much music theory at all, and I need to correct them alot. This shouldn't be the way things are done!

[ttw]

There's an old saying, "If it sounds good, it is good." Theory allows me to know if it sounds good before playing the piece.

On a practical level, theory lets one know how to do things like set up a cadence to end a section, transition from one section of a piece to another, how to establish a key or make a modulation.

Normally, if something I've improvised doesn't sound right, I can see if I violated some "theory rule"; usually I have.

[Ballaw de Quincewold]

Originally Posted by Bassoonery

"breaking the rules" without knowing what you're breaking is just lazy and ignorant.

I know it is, but I'm still going to write a piece with nothing but parallel fifths in it one day. MWAH HA HA I'm so evil!

Anyway, I think theory is important for anybody writing any kind of music. It enables a person to write faster and better if they have some kind of rules to follow/ignore.

[reith]

Some benefits I missed, obviously -

theory is a great help towards study in that one is more likely to know what to look for, how to assimilate the information.

I also think, if you play or sing the results of theoretical exercises, the chance of breaking the rules and NOT knowing what you're doing is lessened because you'll hear what you've done and be able to decide if that's what you want.

Certainly the rules of counterpoint hold good in any era. In modern contrapuntal music, parallel 5ths, 8ves even sound just as ugly. But if you want an ugly sound (for whatever reason) you use them wilfully rather than frowning afterwards, saying "There's something wrong there - what the heck is it?"

Reith

[Gopher]

My level of music theory is somewhat poor when considering my piano grade because I was taught on the Suzuki method (practice before theory). Most likely as a result of this, I'm pretty spotty and I write on what I want to hear, rather than relying on clever ideas from the big book of music. I probably use my theory most when I'm trying to communicate my ideas to someone else. I rarely think about what I'm doing when I'm trying to write it.

[Thorolf]

Theory is based on conventions. If you write unconventional music, theory can actually get in the way.

Similarly, if you want it to sound straight, you will most certainly have to follow the rules.

So it all depends on who you are: Write without theory first, and see what you win and lose by straightening it up with theory afterwards. If applying theory takes a creative edge away from the work, be sure to note just how you broke that rule, and make a note of trying to break the same rule elsewhere in a similar way. If you like what you hear, you have probably stumbled upon a new rule, that bears your personal tag…

Regards

[Silhouette]

I agree with the majority here, music theory is very important and it definitely helps when you can't figure out where you've gone wrong in a composition. Im doing grade 6 theory at the moment and i'm finding it challenging because of the absolutely enormous leap from grade 5! My mind does have difficulty getting round the rules and i'm very slow, but I really dont want to live in the sand in terms of knowing how music works.

Oh and Bassoonery very well done on grade 8 theory i've looked at the book and I almost died!! hehe