“Why Do I Have to Learn Theory?”

Well, I could answer this question by saying you don't have to learn anything you don't want to learn. You could just learn to sing or play an instrument by ear, learning songs by rote. And that's OK, as far as it goes.

A selection of music theory textbooks from my bookshelf (photo by Janice Kerkkamp)

Another possible answer is that theory examinations are co-requisites for RCM practical examinations. If you want to earn the certificate for the practical examination, you have to do the required theory. When you study music in high school, theory is specified in the curriculum. If you want to study music in a college or university, music theory is part of the program, and there is a minimum theory requirement just to get into the program. It's just one of those things you have to do.

But here's a better answer: learning music theory helps make you a better musician.

How does it do that?

Well, to start with, the more fluent you are in reading music notation (clefs, notes, rhythm, intervals, chords, key signatures, etc.), the more easily you can read and learn music. If you know your scales and chords, you'll recognize them easily when you read music or hear a song, and it will make learning the music that much easier.

But let's go deeper than that. If you understand harmony and form, you'll understand how the music is constructed and it will change the way you approach it. If you understand historical performance practice, you'll stand a better chance of interpreting older repertoire in a way that really brings the music to life. If you understand how fugues are put together, you'll play them more intelligently. If you understand harmony and have a solid grasp of sonata form, it will make learning (and memorizing) that sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven much easier. If you can analyze the chord progression of that 19th-century art song, you will understand how the notes of the vocal line fit into the harmonies and how the harmonies paint the words. If you study 20th-century composition techniques, you'll be able to make sense of the music of that era. If you study jazz theory, you'll be a better jazz musician, making use of more sophisticated chord progressions.

This is true of non-Western music as well, even if the tradition is one in which music is taught by ear rather than through written notation. Every music tradition has its own kind of logic, and you need to learn the rules (even if your goal is eventually to break the rules and go in a different direction). You will be able to do more if you understand how the music is put together.

There's a Youtuber whose channel I've been enjoying watching during the pandemic. His name is Rick Beato, and one of the series of videos he's produced is entitled “What Makes This Song Great?”, in which he analyzes a variety of songs from the 1960s up to more recent times. He talks about various aspects of the song, including the chord progressions, the melodies, the instrumental parts, and the production of the recording. He says that he doesn't have perfect pitch. So how does he pick out the chord progressions and reproduce them on his guitar or piano? He has a great ear (which comes naturally, but he's also worked on it), but he also has an impressive knowledge of music theory. He's written a book to teach music theory (The Beato Book), and he's also uploaded many videos on various aspects of theory.

We've all heard of songwriters who don't read music. But you can be sure that they know something about chord progressions. If their songs have any complexity, they probably spent hours playing around on their guitar or piano, trying things out. Many songwriters have, in fact, studied music theory. Gordon Lightfoot studied jazz composition and orchestration for two years at Westlake College of Music in California. Paul Simon spent some time studying music theory in order to hone his craft.

Some of the concepts you learn in your music theory classes might seem irrelevant. But you'd be surprised at how important they turn out to be. Having observed performing ensembles struggling to sight-read poorly notated scores, I can assure you that all those fussy rules about music notation really do make a difference. I've worked with older musicians who want to learn more about music theory because they feel they're missing some of the tools they need to be better musicians.

You don't have to learn music theory. But I promise you this: learning more about the music you play and sing will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the music.

Here is a Youtube video by Rick Beato in which he talks about the song which he describes as “the most complex pop song of all time”. (I'm not going to tell you which song it is. You'll have to watch the video.)

Rick Beato: The Most COMPLEX Pop Song of All Time.

Here’s one of Rick Beato discussing Joni Mitchell:

Rick Beato: What Makes This Song Great Ep. 91 Joni Mitchell

If you don't believe someone of my generation, check out this video by another Youtuber I've enjoyed watching recently:

Adam Neely: Why You Should Learn Music Theory (Prescriptivism vs Descriptivism)

And just for fun: In one of Rick Beato's videos, I learned about a recording by jazz guitarist Joe Pass. It's amazing! Check it out, and enjoy:

Joe Pass: Virtuoso