Music Theory

[PhilliPhil]

What is music theory i've never heard about until just awhile ago.. and its sad because i've been playing for just about 8years and i dont know what is music theory or dont know how to recognize chord by fingering or sound. Please Help me out

[T-Block]

Music Theory is basically the study of how and why music works. Since this is "theory", think about subjects in school that use theories. What is the goal of theory? To find solutions to problems that will work in all different situations.

In subjects like math, science, etc. they come up with numbered equations to figure out problems.  Well, that's sort of what you gonna do with music theory.  Music theory introduces numbers to represent the notes on a piano. So, then what you do is combine the numbers to make musical equations. Check this link out for more information:

The LGM Ultimate Music Theory Collection: http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,42768.0.html

[themidiroom]

Music Theory is basically the study of how and why music works. Since this is "theory", think about subjects in school that use theories. What is the goal of theory? To find solutions to problems that will work in all different situations.

Great definition.  I have worked quite a bit with the theory but moreso as it relates to musical notes and their fundamental frequencies.  Yeah I know it's kind of geeky.

[Fenix]

Honestly i am still amazed that a lot of people have gone as far as they have with little to no music theory.

[sjonathan02]

Honestly i am still amazed that a lot of people have gone as far as they have with little to no music theory.

Why? 

[themidiroom]

Honestly i am still amazed that a lot of people have gone as far as they have with little to no music theory.

Many people are talented and have a good ear.  Ultimately, it boils down to what sounds good.  I know a lot of musicians that have the theory down but don't play well. 

[violist2009]

Great definition.  I have worked quite a bit with the theory but moreso as it relates to musical notes and their fundamental frequencies.  Yeah I know it's kind of geeky.

I could use the frequencies. Mostly because I'm a complete nerd who likes physics and music. And I think that learning this would be a great cross application between theory and physics.

[Fenix]

Many people are talented and have a good ear.  Ultimately, it boils down to what sounds good.  I know a lot of musicians that have the theory down but don't play well. 

Now of course i have met people who know little theory and still play well. However i just believe that it is so much easier to know your basic theory and chord formation. For instance, if you hear a "pretty" chord, you can know that it is some form of major 7 chord and you will know how to form it.

Not knowing your theory tends to hinder you. You may get it eventually but with theory you will get it faster.

I am not bashing people who don't know theory, simply saying that it helps you learn faster.

[themidiroom]

I am not bashing people who don't know theory, simply saying that it helps you learn faster.

It all depends on the person.  If you don't know theory, you would be limited in some situations.  On the other hand, if you can play well then I can't take anything away from what you do.

I could use the frequencies. Mostly because I'm a complete nerd who likes physics and music. And I think that learning this would be a great cross application between theory and physics.

I used to have a nice chart with a piano keyboard, the frequency of each key and ranges of several instruments and the voice.  I used to refer to it a lot in my early engineering days.  Now I just rely on my ears to tell me what frequency range.

[violist2009]

IMO theory, in some form, is essential to any musician. If you know how music works from a general standpoint(i.e your scales, chord formations, tri-tones, etc...) then you can then apply those generalities to more specific topics. Also, if you don't know any theory at all then how can one read music(yes, you can play by ear, but still if someone puts a sheet in front of you and says play this then what are you to do. And yes it does happen, its happened to me on many occasions, thats when i silently thanked God and Classical Music training xD)

But anyway, No one can expect to play any type of music with out learning theory. It is inevitable that as a musician you will be exposed to theory at some point in time. So might as well learn it now. You never know when you will need to play something that you have never heard before from a sheet on the spot. So having a strong backing in theory will help you.