Should Singer / Songwriters Know Music Theory?

elijahgreaves

I want to learn music theory to be able to insert emotion in a song properly.
Basically, to be able to send the message I intend to send and not something that ONLY sounds good.
(Make a happy song sound happy and a sad song sound sad.)
However, people tell me that if I learn music theory, it will reduce my creativity.
What are you guys' thoughts?

Wigs

Im learning piano and understanding chord structures and how to play some songs helps my creativity. Granted Im not doing a years long diploma of music study, but I think if its something you want to learn then go for it. A basic understanding has taken a bit of the romance out of music for me, but the same happened when I learned to sing. However, having that understanding makes me appreciate really good music even more.

HumanRobot

elijahgreaves said:

I want to learn music theory to be able to insert emotion in a song properly.
Basically, to be able to send the message I intend to send and not something that ONLY sounds good.
(Make a happy song sound happy and a sad song sound sad.)
However, people tell me that if I learn music theory, it will reduce my creativity.
What are you guys' thoughts?

HI

I learned music theory - I'm not sure whether its right or wrong. (As everything is inbuilt with me) But I guess it takes the sounds to the page and maybe that enhances your understanding of music - But I guess it could teach you italian lol and is sort of a grounding into music .It could be an asset but feeling the sound and music you can't necessaritly get that off a page - I'm unsure - It's totally up to you and if you think its gonna give you a broader understanding of music then do it - there's no harm in giving it a go. But the book I used was called rudiments of music I ended up sticking it under a table which was wobbling- Everything has a use lol.

Human Robot

HumanRobot

elijahgreaves said:

I want to learn music theory to be able to insert emotion in a song properly.
Basically, to be able to send the message I intend to send and not something that ONLY sounds good.
(Make a happy song sound happy and a sad song sound sad.)
However, people tell me that if I learn music theory, it will reduce my creativity.
What are you guys' thoughts?

HI

this link may help you lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eKTOMhpy2w


Human Robot

cowolter

Yes. Not because knowing theory will change your underlying creative processes, but because it'll allow you a systematic and precise understanding of the musical ideas which that creativity can produce. When you stumble across a noise you like, theory gives you the vocabulary and grammar with which you can define that noise in terms beyond your immediate aesthetic reaction to it -- so, with a little experimentation, you'll eventually start to have words to describe why you like a particular sound in a particular place, not just how it makes you feel.
Complete Music Theory Rudiments Workbook and Answer Book

elijahgreaves

cowolter said:

Yes. Not because knowing theory will change your underlying creative processes, but because it'll allow you a systematic and precise understanding of the musical ideas which that creativity can produce. When you stumble across a noise you like, theory gives you the vocabulary and grammar with which you can define that noise in terms beyond your immediate aesthetic reaction to it -- so, with a little experimentation, you'll eventually start to have words to describe why you like a particular sound in a particular place, not just how it makes you feel.
Complete Music Theory Rudiments Workbook and Answer Book

Thank you so much !