Often when learning a new language, even if it’s by listening to it conversationally, there will come a point in which you should, or even have to, learn some of the grammar behind the language. We do this in order to make sense of it as a whole. Music works in much the same way. One major way we can understand what music theory is, is by thinking of it as the “grammar” behind the music we play. If you play an instrument, you have probably learned some music theory. Music theory is essential to the study of music and is the way we as musicians can understand music as well as communicate about it. A great example to better grasp what music theory is would be playing a chord on the guitar and/or piano. It’s easy and fairly quick to learn how to play a chord, but to understand what makes up a chord and why it sounds the way it does, is the music theory side of things.
Music theory enables us as musicians to not just play what we see but understand what we are playing. In addition, it helps us to make musical decisions such as highlighting certain chord tones during a solo, or adding dynamics to a phrase, or even composing/arranging a piece of music.
Music theory is an in-depth topic of study and most musicians both professional and hobbyists alike can spend a lifetime studying it. Most universities even have a whole major that specializes in music theory or very related fields (such as compositing/arranging and musicology).
So where to start?
- The Circle of Fifths
- Major and Minor Scales
- Chords
If you would like to learn more about music as a whole and/or music theory, click the link below to schedule a lesson!
Written by Tyler Gillon
Important Links
Brighton Music Academy: Main – Brighton Music Academy
Booking: Brighton Location (townlessons.com)
More Booking: https://app.robly.com/sites/f1dda5b7114ab1ca0530aa099b38508c/Brighton