Music Theory - To B, or To B Flat

A fancy music staff.

I see this question come up on social media fairly often. Typically, it is just engagement posting because it can generate a lot of responses with plenty of gatekeeping responses. I hate that. If you find this information useful concerning this topic, feel free to share it anytime you see the grand desire for engagement junkies. The short answer is no, you do not have to know, or take, music theory to be a musician or songwriter. However, that's too simple; let's discuss what that means.

It Will Stifle My Creativity

Too many options...

If you think this is true, then you believe that using a sledgehammer to knock down a brick wall stifles your creativity of using a common construction hammer to do the same job. You can use the common construction hammer if you wish because knowing a sledgehammer exists does not stop you from making that choice. It just gives you another creative option. It is easily argued that it is a more effective option, but I don't know. Maybe you want to take your time?

Curiosity Killed The Confusion

Thinker of Fifths

At one time I was a gigging, song-writing musician with no music theory knowledge whatsoever. Songs I was writing at that time seemed to sound ok. No one was telling me anything sounded off or wrong, but I did not know if there was anything musically correct about how I wrote songs. That bothered me. I needed to understand if my ear was correct and why.

So, I went to a local community college and took Music Theory 101. What an eye-opener! You might be surprised how much you learn in this single class. You learn to define keys with key signatures, what defines a scale, what defines a time signature, tempo, and rhythm, how to count time with a conductor's wand, read and write musical notation, how to define chords, and much more useful and practical knowledge.

Because of this one class, I learned the map that defines all keys. Here's the kicker, the maps are all the same for every key, all you need to know is the root note. So, I can be shown almost any instrument and all I need to know is where the whole and half steps are and I can play along. Skill still takes practice, but I can play along with at least simple acuity.

This knowledge changed the way I approached music. It gave me options and thoughts I would have never considered without it. I can sit down and pick out the key for almost any song and start playing along with little difficulty.

I signed up for the 102 class but did not continue. I learned what I set out to learn. That was enough for me. My questions were answered in that one class. I had many more hammers in my toolbox now.

Define Your Musical Goals

Orchestra Graphic

Where are you at in your musical journey? Where do you see yourself in five years... with music?

If you are just beginning, picking an instrument, or experimenting with music software, you do not need to know any music theory. Your ear is probably going to tell you more than any textbook. And that's how it should be. Playing music is something you should enjoy. Who wants to bog down the fun of music with a bunch of useful knowledge?

It's up to your musical desires and goals to define whether or not you should pursue music theory. It is a personal choice; plain and simple.

Do you want to learn to play songs by your favorite band? No problem; you don't need music theory for that. There are plenty of tools and videos at the click of a button that will get you there.

Do you want to jam with your friends? As long as you know some basic chords and musical patterns, you could be fine without theory.

Do you want to learn some songs and play them live for people? Then you are just fine without theory.

Do you want to form a band? Again, it may not be necessary, but that depends on where you are heading in your band journey. The more serious you get about band membership, the more helpful music theory will be.

Do you want to write or compose? Perhaps be a Broadway musical composer? Again, knowing some chords and patterns well with a good ear can do very well without theory. But, if you want to be an orchestral or musical composer, you would not get far without extensive musical theory. The responsibilities at that level are too high to just leave it up to your ear alone.

Having said all that, it could be argued that you still don't need it, but if your goal is to progress and grow in your musical journey, theory is the tool to get you there.

Of course, if you are happy with where you are and love the music you play or create, then good on you, enjoy the hell out of it. Theory is not required to enjoy music. It is a tool. And like all good tools, knowing how to use it can only help you grow.

Thank you for reading my BLOG. Feel free to add your feedback in a comment.

Please come to my home page and subscribe for news about what I am doing, creating, or sharing.