What is Music Theory?
1.
1. The study of musical structure and aesthetics, concerning chord structures, musical intervals, rythms, meters, scales, etc.
2. Something that the majority of modern music artists lack knowlege of
Most recording artists seem to think that fashionable clothes and expensive studio recordings, rather than solid music theory, can make their music good.
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2.
Essentially, the alphabet of music. It is important to learn theory so that when you decide to break the rules, you are doing it out of wisdom, and not out of ignorance. See:
Music theory teaches you important rudimentary skills necessary to be successful as a professional musician.
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3.
A set of rules, guidelines, and terminology that musicians have come to agree upon over time.
Music theory mostly deals with the earliest music ever written on paper to music written in the late 1800's.
Music theory = my favorite class
4.
The principles/guidlines of classical, real music. Modern musicians tend to neglect music theory or have little knowledge of it. However, most knowledgeable musicians have a basic idea of theory. (Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen to cite two)
Person 1: "Hey, play me a Em, FM, and GM in common time so I can put together a solo using the Em scale."
Person 2: "Whats common time?"
Person 1: "Oh great, I'm jamming with a moron."
You look like an asshole when you don't know music theory.
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5.
A class that explains the structure of music. You'll learn the difference between an A-sharp and a B-flat. Later you get into the rules of writing counterpoints and four-part harmonies, which are useless unless you write classical music, but are still good to know.
Music theory is the first music class I had to take in which I actually had to
THINK .
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6.
Basically, a way of analyzing music.
Specifically, music theory is made up of laws, rules, labels and other insights regarding Western music (particularly its harmonic tendencies), pioneered by a man named Rameau.
Music came first, theory came after.
In Music Theory, Roman numeral labels are given to chords in relation to a melodic key center. IV-V-I is the strongest cadence in Western harmony.
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7.
Knowledge of chords, rythms, etc in the development of music, can make you a better musician but is not necessary
jimi hendrix, the greatest guitar player ever did not know shit about reading music. he played from the heart and soul, and thats what music is really all about. there are no "rules" you are supposed to follow to be a good musician
