Music theory may be crucial to understanding the musical world and help you to navigate the nuances.
Taking their first dips into the world of music, many aspiring musicians will hear terms such as “1 6 4 5 in the Key of F”, “3 / 4 time”, “add a triplet fill”, and wonder to themselves if they have stepped into a different dimension.
Those who have yet the pleasure to fill their minds with vast musical knowledge will be stuck trying to decipher the codes relayed between seasoned musicians.
Some may contemplate, “I can read scoresheet. Can’t I just do that?”, or “Why not just learn the song through a YouTube video with notes falling onto piano keys?” Although they can help tread water, they may not be sufficient to keep you afloat for long.
Definitions – ‘Theory’
The term ‘theory’ suggests a technical approach – a system of techniques and concepts that help to make sense of things. When it comes to music, people take many angles to understand it. The music theory that we musicians understand, assuming that you originate from the West (Major Scale, Nashville System, Jazz Theory) is arguably the most widespread and widely used.
That is not to say Western Music Theory is the only one out there. Various cultures develop their own native systems, adjusted to their language, philosophies, and community. Musical cultures include but are not limited to:
- Chinese Music – Eg. Guo Yue
- Indian Music – Eg. Hindustani, Carnatic
- Japanese Music – Eg. Hogaku, Gagaku
- Brazilian Music – Eg. Samba
Every one of these forms of music is understood and taught differently. Differences can range from notation to methodology. For example, the Japanese Shakuhachi, a bamboo flute, is notated by Japanese Katakana characters, Katakana being one of their 3 writing systems. Taking a look at the different types of notation below can show how distinct each culture approach music.
Rote Learning is also another way some cultures use to teach music. It is the practice of memorizing an idea repeatedly until it is deeply rooted in memory. We can find rote learning in many areas of music, one prominent example is learning the lyrics to a song. Some forms of music rely heavily on rote learning, such as Brazilian Samba music, where the music is more percussive, making learning the parts easier through memorization than reading notation.
Rote Learning does not mean no theory is involved, as a structure will eventually form through patterns and trends. This structure will then set the foundation for educating future generations of musicians.
The Big Question – Why Music Theory?
Understand what is happening
What is common between scientists, philosophers, astrologers, data analysts, etc? The answer is the strong need to make sense of things. Sentience has led us to constantly yearn for answers and put systems in place to create structure. Music theory allows us to put meaning behind why we follow certain patterns and play a musical phrase in a certain way. There is a reason why we have countless books documenting similar concepts, as they give our collective curiosity a sense of structure and control.
However, music theory may hinder some people – “because it works in this way, I will just stick to this way”. For example, a newer musician may believe that a V chord can only be followed by a I or vi chord, whereas veteran musicians will know that many different chords can come after, under the right context. It may teach us why this or that makes sense, but it shouldn’t be a crutch that stops us from exploring.
Communication
Looping back to the first paragraph of this post, some terms, although common in the music scene, can only be understood through studying music theory. Like a Compiler software, music theory bundles concepts into neat packages to be communicated. It provides a more efficient way of translating ideas to another musician than holding someone’s hands and guiding them note by note.
Those clueless about what the terms mean may lose time and effort, as most of their processing is spent deciphering something equivalent to a new language. With a majority of the music population communicating this way, breaking into the system without prior knowledge will be difficult.
How to get started on Music Theory?
Jumping head-first into this topic can be too overwhelming to some as there are hundreds of concepts and dozens of approaches. However, some paths are easier to travel than others. As a musician with experience in introducing the topic to others, I have found that the first 2 steps should be as follows:
1) Start on the Piano
An instrument consisting of a row of repeated black and white keys, arranged in a straight line. In Music Theory, the Piano is arguably the best instrument for VISUALIZATION. Because of its linear and chronological nature, it makes breaking down scales and chords for analysis much easier compared to a Guitar. Understanding how a Piano works and using it as an aid will greatly enhance your learning by providing a mapping of the notes.
Even though a Guitar can still produce the same notes, it cannot match a Piano’s ability to display a consistent pattern across the instrument. As a beginner, if you want to play a C note on the Guitar, the notes’ position may change between strings depending on which part of the neck you are using. On the contrary, the C note on the Piano is easier to spot and repeats throughout the octaves.
2) Learn the Major Scales
The Major Scale is the first type of scale many musicians learn when they begin their journey. This is a crucial step because many concepts are either built upon the Major Scale or easier to understand when you draw references to the Major Scale. This includes deriving the related Minor Scale, understanding Intervals (distances between notes), and knowing what chords to use in a chord progression.
Start with learning the notes that make up the C Major Scale (you will find that all scales follow the same pattern). Run the scale up and down to familiarise yourself with the notes and hand movements. Once you are done with C Major, move to C# Major, then D Major, and so on until you have finished B Major.
The first mark of a proficient musician is the ability to recall any Major Scale on command – they should be at the tips of your fingers (literally). When F Major is called, you need to be able to filter the notes in your mind. Dedicate time to mastering the skill, it will benefit your musicianship in the long run.
Conclusion
Daunting as it may be, Music Theory is the path musicians should take if they wish to reinforce their skillset and seek depth in the content they are playing. There is no harm in learning and improving for the betterment of your performances, jamming, and overall musicianship.
Music Essentials 101 aims to guide you step by step on your path to becoming a knowledgeable musician, giving you a clear plan on what you should work on next. We hope to see you at the other end and wish you a fruitful learning ahead with us!