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the wisdom of NOT learning music theory
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| rubez |
i have zero knowledge of anything about music theory. since getting a crappy 2 octave midi controller, then my JDXI, i have been mashing the keys and seeing what sticks.
i seem to be getting better organically on my own, and have made my most complex sounding melody/progression to date (not even sure of the terminology)
would learning music theory just confuse me?
given my steady, almost meteoric rise on my own, i don't want to ruin it with unnecessary gobbledygook. it could prove to be a creative hindrance or help.
what do you think? |
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| JEO |
Knowing you a bit, it would probably confuse you, but because I'm at work, I want to write something.
Obvious answer: it depends entirely on what you are trying to achieve. If you are mainly focused on trance or what ever dance music it is you are making, just getting some of the bare essentials of "music theory", like forming chords on a scale, could be beneficial; but mostly you don't need "music theory" for dance music.
That being said, knowing more about music doesn't mean you have to apply any of the "unnecessary gobbledygook" to your music at all; use the acquired knowledge to your advantage, don't make it restrict or limit you.
And last, but not least, the ever-repeated cliché: use your ears. They probably know what sounds good and what does not. It's just that knowing some more "theory" might get you where you want to be, faster. Something you made in two days by trial and error, you might achieve in a few minutes if you know some theory. This reminds me of some video tutorial for making a chord progression that was posted on this forum some time ago. It was all really basic level trial and error, and it looked like a painful way to compose anything. |
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| rubez |
i seem to be doing variations on the same thing - however getting better, more varied/complex.
if i posted a clip, would it be possible to classify or identify what i was doing? like its scale/chord/progression/key or whatever? then i maybe could expand my horizons within the confines of that little sector instead of learning everything - most of it probably irrelevant. |
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| cryophonik |
A few thoughts. First, google "should I learn music theory" - this question has been asked/discussed by pretty much every newb with an internet connection.
Second, google something like "things you know now that you wish you knew when you started music production", and you'll see for yourself how many people respond with "learn music theory."
If you want to improve your skills, particularly when it comes to creative arts, practice and learn, learn and practice, learn learn learn, practice practice practice.
| quote: | Originally posted by JEO
It's just that knowing some more "theory" might get you where you want to be, faster. Something you made in two days by trial and error, you might achieve in a few minutes if you know some theory. |
Exactly!
It's typical of beginners to try to find a shortcut around the learning (i.e., music theory) and practicing part of creativity, before realizing that learning and practicing IS the shortcut to improvement. |
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| tehlord |
I have a pal I sometimes work with. He has a successful sound design business (very in fact) and produces some truly excellent music. He's been doing this for more than 10 years.
He never studied music theory.
He often sends me midi for stuff he creates as midi tracks that he thinks are fine, but in fact are wincingly wrong. Not just different, they are wrong. He doesn't hear it, but trusts my ears. I studied piano and orchestration for 10 years.
The point here is your judgement of your meteoric rise from the standpoint of total ignorance may not be the best perspective to use.
And also, music theory is next to worthless (in my opinion) without practical application, or.....actually learning an instrument. That's where musical fluency really begins, not theory. |
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| tehlord |
| quote: | Originally posted by rubez
i don't want to ruin it with unnecessary gobbledygook |
I think you need to decide if it's worth it for you or not before spending any money on anything. |
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| Trancelover03591 |
| I've never studied music theory much (well other than some band in school which I don't remember) but writing songs came naturally. On the other hand I have studied a lot of sound design and just don't have the ear for it. I think you have a potential for something or not, then additional practice and study makes you great. |
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| Mr.Mystery |
| I never really "studied" music theory in the traditional sense either, but you're bound to learn things by doing. As far as electronic music goes, studying the structures and chords of the kind of music you're going to make helps significantly. |
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| Trancelover03591 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Mr.Mystery
I never really "studied" music theory in the traditional sense either, but you're bound to learn things by doing. As far as electronic music goes, studying the structures and chords of the kind of music you're going to make helps significantly. |
Definitely. I've spent a lot time analyzing reference songs on the structure. It's one of the main pieces of advice I give to new producers. |
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