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Formal theory training - why? This is why.

buldog5151bass

buldog5151bass

Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Oct 22, 2003
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#1
I posted this in another thread in response to a question, but wanted to get some reactions from the members.

IMO, while formal music theory training is not necessary, it allows you to progress further and faster, and I make this comparison. While you learn to speak your native language from listening to others, you still study grammar in school. Why? It allows us to speak and comprehend at a higher level, and learn more quickly.

No one says you shouldn't study grammar in school, because it interferes with your "creativity". Neither should your study of music theory.
 
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#5
Like most things it is really a question of the actual content, how it is presented (norms vs. rules), and how it is mixed with the other aspects of learning to play.

That said, I don't think anyone needs it, but it can certainly work as a sort of cheat sheet to figuring out what others are doings as well as inspiring new ideas to play.
 
#6
buldog5151bass said:
I posted this in another thread in response to a question, but wanted to get some reactions from the members.

IMO, while formal music theory training is not necessary, it allows you to progress further and faster, and I make this comparison. While you learn to speak your native language from listening to others, you still study grammar in school. Why? It allows us to speak and comprehend at a higher level, and learn more quickly.

No one says you shouldn't study grammar in school, because it interferes with your "creativity". Neither should your study of music theory.
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Having studied music all through middle and high school, I can say that all those years of scales and stuff I thought I would never use has helped me a lot. It also works wonders when I work with other musicians. Any kind of formal music training that has also been applied tends to impress.
 
#8
Don't want to study theory? OK. I mean, I'm sure professional musicians are just like professional sports. No one in MLB or NFL or NBA would even think of spending time watching videos of themselves or other players. No way would they talk to a coach or player about aspects of their game. You're not going to see them reading about the game, getting involved with its history, past players or any of the stuff that will take their mind of 'their game'. Can you imagine people taking lessons in tennis or golf just so they're better at playing on the weekends? Who would ever do that? Why would you want to fill your mind with someone else's ideas?
 
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#9
Lanky Tunes said:
Like most things it is really a question of the actual content, how it is presented (norms vs. rules), and how it is mixed with the other aspects of learning to play.

That said, I don't think anyone needs it, but it can certainly work as a sort of cheat sheet to figuring out what others are doings as well as inspiring new ideas to play.
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Cheat sheet?? A Nashville Number System chart is a cheat sheet. Knowing music theory gives you the ability to know WHY things work musically, and how to analyze it. That's not cheating.
 
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#12
Me too. I used to read simple piano music well enough but that was so many years ago. I've done online stuff, bought books... In a few minutes my eyes just glaze over. I really do need to get it together because the work I'm doing these days really requires it. If I could sight read well I could just walk into the gig and play. As it is, I have to spend hours listening to and creating 'Playskool' charts for the three or four new songs we are expected to play every week, most of which we'll never play again. It sucks! I mean I can read chord sheets well enough but that often won't cut it.
 
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#14
It's even worse on guitar forums. I used to get quite a chuckle from the it kills creativity crew. How does knowing more limit creativity I always wondered. Its almost worn as a badge for some. Look at what I can do and I don't know all that theory stuff. Actually they know more than they think. They know theory, maybe not the "formal" termonology.
 
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#16
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Even on TB main page... no fancy theory
 
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#18
Sharp5 said:
It's even worse on guitar forums. I used to get quite a chuckle from the it kills creativity crew. How does knowing more limit creativity I always wondered. Its almost worn as a badge for some. Look at what I can do and I don't know all that theory stuff. Actually they know more than they think. They know theory, maybe not the "formal" termonology.
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The Arts - one of the few fields where some people consider ignorance an advantage. :rollno:
 
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#20
lfmn16 said:
The Arts - one of the few fields where some people consider ignorance an advantage. :rollno:
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I shouldn't ask this because I know it's a set-up statement. But I'm a sucker for for stimulating and thought provoking conversations. To play devils advocate.....

Q- Is it not art if as person is not "TRAINED" according to the "parameters" that were set in a formality? For "Arts" existed before it was structured in theories that we hold as formalities today.

Not that I'm against formal music training or instruction in musical theory, or any arts theory for that matter. I actually think it's a good thing. BUT not the only way. I know you didn't say only.
FF
 
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