What Is Music Theory?

  • music theory is the study of how music sounds.
  • music notation itself is not music theory, although music notation is relevant to how we can communicate about music.
  • music theory is often presented as a set of rules.
  • rules in music theory are not like laws that tell you what you must or cannot do.
  • rules in music theory are like the law of gravity that tell you how the world works - they predict cause and effect.
  • so, "if you want to achieve a particular sound, this is how to achieve it."
  • your ear can help you find the sounds you want, but understanding theory can often get you there faster.
  • studying theory can expose you to interesting new sounds you didn't even knew you might want.

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