Originally Posted By: Planobilly
The thought that music created by people who have no understanding of music theory is somehow inherently better and that being uneducated is a superior state of affairs is the purview of the uneducated. And by the way, ear training is a typical part of classical training.

The idea that while playing popular music live no thought is given to music theory is simply not accurate. Did you not ever ask what the key was? Was it important to know the Key? Music theory is as much about communication as anything.
Billy


I never ever said anything about the music being inherently better if created by someone with no understanding of music theory. What I said is that there is often too much focus put on theory. And that most of the great songwriters rely on the ear much more than on theory. That is something easily verified by listening to interviews of various song writers.

And I specifically stated that my comments were coming from a particular style of music: jazz. However, I think it's probably even more true with simpler forms of music like rock, pop, and country. Certainly in less harmonically complex styles of music it's easier to say what you want to say without knowing a lot of theory.

I disagree that music theory is about communication. Theory is tantamount to grammar for writing. It is a way to define the structure.

Your comment saying that my comment is inaccurate is a generalization. And one that is inaccurate. I do know there are people that rely solely on their ear, without knowing harmony. This is most certainly doable. It may be outside your realm of possibility, but that doesn't mean that there aren't people that do it.


Last edited by saxgentleman67; 01/10/22 09:03 AM.