Well, be it our schools or the music practice, we are kind of disinterested in the theory part, right? Like in school, some people hated studying grammar while they loved reading the literature, similar is the case with music when people are advised to learn music theory far before they start picking up the instrument.
The harsh truth is like you can not build a sentence good enough before you know the grammar well, it is impossible for you to play any instrument before going through the theory.
Why? Music theory will make you understand every element behind the music, be it the notation, keys, chords or anything about the instrument you want to play. You will find many of the teachers who do not conduct the music lessons without including the theory while others do not consider it important. Well, not criticizing but you might want to reconsider going to the one, not including the theory part. Why? We will tell you everything in this article, so keep reading!
The Myth of Theory Being Harmful is Not True!
Important explanations first, the myth about the theory hampering the musical part is completely wrong. You might come across many people out there who have believing and asserting this myth on everybody else as well. They did not just believe that theory is not important but also believed that it affects the music of a person as well. It hampers one’s way to play and the composition as well. But, music theory teaches a musician to play follow the rules, control the creativity while playing and allows him to play free-spirited and uncontrolled music which is actually the true form of any art.
Also, it is believed that every musician has been sticking to the ways that are generally accepted and followed by music theory. Well, not many people believe the same and even criticize the ones that follow it and call them the mindless robots who follow the specific rules and logic specified in the theory. We all can clearly decide when we want to and when do not want to follow the rules. It happens all of a sudden and we do not even recognize it sometimes.
Just take an example of applying a certain grammar rule while you speak or write English. Do you always follow the rules? Not certainly, right? Sometimes, you just ignore the ones that are not relevant or important enough and that does not hamper your performance or context. In fact, we conveniently use the slangs ignoring the rules.
All of it is possible because you actually know when it is okay to avoid using or abiding the grammar rule but if you do not have any knowledge about the rules only, you will never know if it is appropriate or correct. Similarly, when a person knows the rules as per music theory, they can wisely use it or avoid it whenever required. So, having knowledge never hurts anybody but only helps them.
If Not Harmful, Is Music Theory Beneficial?
As described above, theory surely helps you. How? Here is how.
It is an Important Foundation for Any Musician
What music theory does has many parts and how it benefits a musician has a whole list as well. To start with, music theory gives us deep knowledge and enables us to understand the structure of music better. Just imagine yourself giving a speech in a language you do not know, would it be important for you to understand what you are saying? Your answer is probably yes.
Then, how come when you play, you do not consider knowing the music well. The best way to know what you are playing and the logic behind it is to understand the music theory. Like it would be impossible for you to give that speech, you will have a similar effect on your music if you play it without music. Actually, you might be able to play, but explaining what you are playing, the structure and meaning of the composition will be nearly impossible.
Like grammar lets you speak the language better, the music theory lets you speak the language of music with other musicians. Just when you want to refer something to music, it will be a help.
It Helps You Master the Music Faster
Now, when you know that music theory serves as a foundation for your music, you should know that not just basics but it helps you master the music as well. Okay, do you drive faster when you know the directions or when you need to ask somebody and drive.
Your answer is probably when you know the directions. Why? That is because when you know where are you going and how are you going to reach it, you reach faster than the one who is struggling in the way. If you work initially, the destination is not that far. Similarly, when you know the basics of music, you will play it better. If you will know how a piece that you are playing is constructed, you will play it better. Not just playing but it makes the learning and memorizing process faster as well.
Just like our teachers said, cramming the mathematics problems would never work well because you might end up using the crammed formula in the question it is not required. Similarly, understanding what you are doing is important while you are playing an instrument.
Enjoy the Music You are Playing
When we understand a concept, we love it more. When we memorize it without knowing what it means, it is just forced learning that we adapted. Just take an example of listening to a German song while you have no idea about the German language, weird right? Would you be able to love the song? Then, how do you love the piece that you play when you have no idea what it means and how it is structured or built.
When you understand the music theory, you appreciate your music better. When you are familiar with the compositions well, you will be able to express better when you play and when you will know what you are playing, it will automatically get reliability on the piece you play along. You will know when somebody violates the rules and will appreciate the good work better. Just not playing but listening to good music will bring joy to you.
Conclusion
So, to conclude, music theory is helpful to every music major. Be it the one who is playing, the composers or even the listeners. Better you know the theory of music, better you will know and appreciate music. Being a composer, a person will be able to analyze others’ work better and then come up with an even better one.
Even if you are the one studying or teaching music, you need the theory to know where you or your students have gone wrong. You will be a literate musician when you know the music theory. A true musician just does not know the language of music but knows how to read and write it as well. Have a good time reading!
