Do We Need Music Theory

there are two types of theory -- one concerns the practical business of what is possible or comfortable to play in the real world, assuming that composition is designed for live performance by real musicians which is far from invariably the case nowadays. Sample libraries can only sample what is physically playable so using them, you can't compose stuff which is out of range though transitions may be too fast to be feasible, depending on the level of the performers.

The second type of theory is more about analysis -- such things as harmony and counterpoint were very useful in the days before you could get instant feedback through virtual instruments and some forum members find it useful to use theory as a basis for experimenting with musical ideas. I don't, and don't believe you can make dogmatic statements on that which you indeed carefully avoid in your film. You also make the point that those who compose purely according to theory are unlikely to produce anything individual or interesting if there is no personal vision. On the other hand, some knowledge of the tradition, however assimilated, is certainly useful for producing works which will be appreciated by others.

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David January 17, 2025 at 4:41am

there are two types of theory -- one concerns the practical business of what is possible or comfortable to play in the real world, assuming that composition is designed for live performance by real musicians which is far from invariably the case nowadays. Sample libraries can only sample what is physically playable so using them, you can't compose stuff which is out of range though transitions may be too fast to be feasible, depending on the level of the performers.

The second type of theory is more about analysis -- such things as harmony and counterpoint were very useful in the days before you could get instant feedback through virtual instruments and some forum members find it useful to use theory as a basis for experimenting with musical ideas. I don't, and don't believe you can make dogmatic statements on that which you indeed carefully avoid in your film. You also make the point that those who compose purely according to theory are unlikely to produce anything individual or interesting if there is no personal vision. On the other hand, some knowledge of the tradition, however assimilated, is certainly useful for producing works which will be appreciated by others.
- Guy Shahar > David January 17, 2025 at 5:01am
  
  Thank you, David. That's an interesting and useful distinction between the 2 aspects of theory.

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