Music theory tends to get a bad rap in the world of songwriters. The main argument against the use of music theory is that it can stunt one’s creativity, but that’s a ludicrous suggestion. If an understanding of the nuts and bolts of theory results in you feeling less creative, you’re using it wrong.
Music theory is simply a technical description of how various elements of music typically work. And it offers a vocabulary for describing those elements to others.
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Since music theory reveals how the basics of music usually work in given situations, it opens entirely new musical worlds to songwriters who can then say, “Well, if that’s how it usually works, I wonder what it would sound like if I changed things a bit…”
Music theory is not a set of instructions for songwriters. If it were, it would indeed lead to some exceptionally boring music, where songs are as predictable as the theory they’re based on.
The study of music theory tends to improve one’s ear, and that’s a very valuable tool for any songwriter.
If you want to know the answer to any question related to theory (“How do I write a minor scale?”…”What is a compound time signature?”… “How do I identify the key of this song?”, etc.), you can probably just type your answer into Google, and you’ll have a list of answers to consider. But…
The value to learning your theory by way of a well-constructed, sequenced course is that it gives you the information you need in a considered, well-thought-out set of steps and lessons.
My own course, “Easy Music Theory by Gary Ewer“, is designed to be self-directed: you don’t need a teacher. It starts you at the very beginning (“This is a note”), and takes you right through to being able to read orchestral scores, with a series of videos, instructional sheets, worksheets and quizzes.
And as you proceed, you should find your own sense of songwriting creativity increasing, as long as you remember that you’re not learning a set of songwriting instructions. You’re simply learning what the basic building blocks of music are, and developing a vocabulary in the process.
Please check this course out if you’re looking for an easy way to develop your songwriting in a new and effective way:
Easy Music Theory by Gary Ewer
Written by Gary Ewer. Follow Gary on Twitter.
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