Musical Theory - Do I Need to Know It?

Apart from the academic study of music theory, which delves into the theoretical aspects of music, such as categorizing musical elements, music theory is essentially the foundation of music itself.

It encompasses the composition and performance of music. Whether you’re interested in understanding musical harmony, the orchestration of a concerto, or even the basic fundamentals of reading sheet music How To Read Piano Piece Music Fast - Learning to play the piano and read sheet music doesn't have to be intimidating. You don't need an exceptionally high IQ for this; all you need is perseverance and consistent practice, along with an easy-to-read piano sheet. By following some guidelines, learning can become easier. Here are some tips to help you as you gradually… , you are engaging with elements of music theory.

The initial question that often arises for those beginning their musical journey is, “Do I need to know this stuff?” The answer depends on your goals with music. There are many successful recording artists who cannot read or distinguish a symphony from a sonata. This means that you don’t necessarily need a deep knowledge of music theory to be a successful musician.

However, musicians who possess such knowledge and skill are rare. Even if you have perfect pitch and can compose and play music entirely from memory, it becomes challenging to share that music with others unless they have similar abilities.

Music theory allows musicians from diverse backgrounds to come together on a level playing field. They can understand the music in front of them, including the key it is to be played in (which is crucial for creating harmonies) and the time signature to maintain the correct rhythm. Composers may include instructions on the sheet music regarding the desired performance, such as playing slowly, softly, or “with gusto.”

Those who compose music are knowledgeable about popular music genres and can create combinations of instruments that harmonize together. They understand which instruments to use for the type of music they are composing and can write both melody and bass lines that sound appropriate whether played individually or together.

If you have a keen ear for music and understand the basics of how your instrument works, you may not require in-depth knowledge of music theory. However, if you aspire to compose music to share with other musicians, perform in an orchestra or band, or play a piece of music composed by someone else that you haven’t heard before, a basic understanding of music theory is necessary.

Imagine being able to look at any sheet music and sight-read it effortlessly. This means that you can sit down with your instrument and, by reading and interpreting the notations provided by the composer, play the piece of music exactly as intended. With just a basic understanding of music theory, including the ability to read sheet music and comprehend common musical terms, you can achieve that. Even if sight-reading isn’t a skill you frequently utilize, as a musician, wouldn’t it be a valuable skill to possess?

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME