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What Constitutes Theory?
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There are many questions here concerning theory. Hardly surprising given the site's title!
What I'm trying to establish is where theory starts and possibly ends. For example, is just knowing a major scale part of theory; a start of theory?
Does history of performing artists come into theory - one exam board in UK thinks so, and includes questions about it in exams.
Is there a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?
theory history
edited 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
asked 5 hours ago
Tim
91.5k1094230
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
There are many questions here concerning theory. Hardly surprising given the site's title!
What I'm trying to establish is where theory starts and possibly ends. For example, is just knowing a major scale part of theory; a start of theory?
Does history of performing artists come into theory - one exam board in UK thinks so, and includes questions about it in exams.
Is there a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?
theory history
edited 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
asked 5 hours ago
Tim
91.5k1094230
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
There are many questions here concerning theory. Hardly surprising given the site's title!
What I'm trying to establish is where theory starts and possibly ends. For example, is just knowing a major scale part of theory; a start of theory?
Does history of performing artists come into theory - one exam board in UK thinks so, and includes questions about it in exams.
Is there a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?
theory history
edited 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
asked 5 hours ago
Tim
91.5k1094230
There are many questions here concerning theory. Hardly surprising given the site's title!
What I'm trying to establish is where theory starts and possibly ends. For example, is just knowing a major scale part of theory; a start of theory?
Does history of performing artists come into theory - one exam board in UK thinks so, and includes questions about it in exams.
Is there a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?
theory history
theory history
edited 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
asked 5 hours ago
Tim
91.5k1094230
edited 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
asked 5 hours ago
Tim
91.5k1094230
edited 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
edited 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
edited 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
19.9k1373160
asked 5 hours ago
Tim
91.5k1094230
asked 5 hours ago
Tim
91.5k1094230
asked 5 hours ago
Tim
91.5k1094230
91.5k1094230
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
What I'm trying to establish is where theory starts and possibly ends.
I'd say that music theory begins with Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony, which are the three basic components for every song that is composed. When a person starts to learn music theory, that's where they start. Even if someone starts playing an instrument (without learning theory), this is where they start as well! They learn theory into practice without even knowing it.
It ends .... nowhere. Basically people "invent new music" everyday, especially nowadays with all the technology they can use. So, there can be theory that explains that music.
So, learning the C major is scale I'd say is part of music theory; one of the very basics you'd need to know, but still part of it.
Does history of performing artists come into theory
I'd say yes and no. I find it important to know the history of the music, so that you can understand where the composers/performers came from. Why did Bach compose the way he did? Why was Stravinsky the way he was? etc.
The historical background of these composers played an important role on the way they composed and performed.
Is there a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?
Simply, music theory is the way of explaining music; the way to understand music; the possibilities, the practices and generally what is going on on a song. Basically the grammatical rules of the written language of music. It explains what is going on when we listen to music.
Wikipedia provides a nice explanation from the The Oxford Companion to Music
The first is what is otherwise called 'rudiments', currently taught as the elements of notation, of key signatures, of time signatures, of rhythmic notation, and so on. [...] The second is the study of writings about music from ancient times onwards. [...] The third is an area of current musicological study that seeks to define processes and general principles in music — a sphere of research that can be distinguished from analysis in that it takes as its starting-point not the individual work or performance but the fundamental materials from which it is built.
The Oxford Companion to Music
answered 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
A nice, early answer. Thanks! +1
– Tim
4 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
OK, we know that 'theory' is used to describe everything from basic rudiments to Schenkerian analysis. So that's the question answered.
What SHOULD 'theory' mean?
I think we can usefully seperate it from rudiments, a knowledge of the language of music. It's hard to start on theory until you know the language...
I like the scientific definition of 'theory'. We observe, codify, make predictions - and when the predictions consistently work we've got a useful theory. But a basic scientific principle is that you don't fall in love with a theory. When there's the chance to look at something from a different angle - Einstein rather than Newton - we rejoice! If we want a satnav in our car, that needs Einstein. But Newton's still great on the football field! Can we mix the two? Sure. Sometimes. Where appropriate. And that's where 'art' takes over from 'theory'.
Thank you for listening. No-one really thought there'd be '...a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?' that was any use, did they?
answered 1 hour ago
Laurence Payne
28.7k1451
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
What I'm trying to establish is where theory starts and possibly ends.
I'd say that music theory begins with Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony, which are the three basic components for every song that is composed. When a person starts to learn music theory, that's where they start. Even if someone starts playing an instrument (without learning theory), this is where they start as well! They learn theory into practice without even knowing it.
It ends .... nowhere. Basically people "invent new music" everyday, especially nowadays with all the technology they can use. So, there can be theory that explains that music.
So, learning the C major is scale I'd say is part of music theory; one of the very basics you'd need to know, but still part of it.
Does history of performing artists come into theory
I'd say yes and no. I find it important to know the history of the music, so that you can understand where the composers/performers came from. Why did Bach compose the way he did? Why was Stravinsky the way he was? etc.
The historical background of these composers played an important role on the way they composed and performed.
Is there a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?
Simply, music theory is the way of explaining music; the way to understand music; the possibilities, the practices and generally what is going on on a song. Basically the grammatical rules of the written language of music. It explains what is going on when we listen to music.
Wikipedia provides a nice explanation from the The Oxford Companion to Music
The first is what is otherwise called 'rudiments', currently taught as the elements of notation, of key signatures, of time signatures, of rhythmic notation, and so on. [...] The second is the study of writings about music from ancient times onwards. [...] The third is an area of current musicological study that seeks to define processes and general principles in music — a sphere of research that can be distinguished from analysis in that it takes as its starting-point not the individual work or performance but the fundamental materials from which it is built.
The Oxford Companion to Music
answered 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
A nice, early answer. Thanks! +1
– Tim
4 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
What I'm trying to establish is where theory starts and possibly ends.
I'd say that music theory begins with Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony, which are the three basic components for every song that is composed. When a person starts to learn music theory, that's where they start. Even if someone starts playing an instrument (without learning theory), this is where they start as well! They learn theory into practice without even knowing it.
It ends .... nowhere. Basically people "invent new music" everyday, especially nowadays with all the technology they can use. So, there can be theory that explains that music.
So, learning the C major is scale I'd say is part of music theory; one of the very basics you'd need to know, but still part of it.
Does history of performing artists come into theory
I'd say yes and no. I find it important to know the history of the music, so that you can understand where the composers/performers came from. Why did Bach compose the way he did? Why was Stravinsky the way he was? etc.
The historical background of these composers played an important role on the way they composed and performed.
Is there a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?
Simply, music theory is the way of explaining music; the way to understand music; the possibilities, the practices and generally what is going on on a song. Basically the grammatical rules of the written language of music. It explains what is going on when we listen to music.
Wikipedia provides a nice explanation from the The Oxford Companion to Music
The first is what is otherwise called 'rudiments', currently taught as the elements of notation, of key signatures, of time signatures, of rhythmic notation, and so on. [...] The second is the study of writings about music from ancient times onwards. [...] The third is an area of current musicological study that seeks to define processes and general principles in music — a sphere of research that can be distinguished from analysis in that it takes as its starting-point not the individual work or performance but the fundamental materials from which it is built.
The Oxford Companion to Music
answered 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
A nice, early answer. Thanks! +1
– Tim
4 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
What I'm trying to establish is where theory starts and possibly ends.
I'd say that music theory begins with Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony, which are the three basic components for every song that is composed. When a person starts to learn music theory, that's where they start. Even if someone starts playing an instrument (without learning theory), this is where they start as well! They learn theory into practice without even knowing it.
It ends .... nowhere. Basically people "invent new music" everyday, especially nowadays with all the technology they can use. So, there can be theory that explains that music.
So, learning the C major is scale I'd say is part of music theory; one of the very basics you'd need to know, but still part of it.
Does history of performing artists come into theory
I'd say yes and no. I find it important to know the history of the music, so that you can understand where the composers/performers came from. Why did Bach compose the way he did? Why was Stravinsky the way he was? etc.
The historical background of these composers played an important role on the way they composed and performed.
Is there a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?
Simply, music theory is the way of explaining music; the way to understand music; the possibilities, the practices and generally what is going on on a song. Basically the grammatical rules of the written language of music. It explains what is going on when we listen to music.
Wikipedia provides a nice explanation from the The Oxford Companion to Music
The first is what is otherwise called 'rudiments', currently taught as the elements of notation, of key signatures, of time signatures, of rhythmic notation, and so on. [...] The second is the study of writings about music from ancient times onwards. [...] The third is an area of current musicological study that seeks to define processes and general principles in music — a sphere of research that can be distinguished from analysis in that it takes as its starting-point not the individual work or performance but the fundamental materials from which it is built.
The Oxford Companion to Music
answered 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
What I'm trying to establish is where theory starts and possibly ends.
I'd say that music theory begins with Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony, which are the three basic components for every song that is composed. When a person starts to learn music theory, that's where they start. Even if someone starts playing an instrument (without learning theory), this is where they start as well! They learn theory into practice without even knowing it.
It ends .... nowhere. Basically people "invent new music" everyday, especially nowadays with all the technology they can use. So, there can be theory that explains that music.
So, learning the C major is scale I'd say is part of music theory; one of the very basics you'd need to know, but still part of it.
Does history of performing artists come into theory
I'd say yes and no. I find it important to know the history of the music, so that you can understand where the composers/performers came from. Why did Bach compose the way he did? Why was Stravinsky the way he was? etc.
The historical background of these composers played an important role on the way they composed and performed.
Is there a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?
Simply, music theory is the way of explaining music; the way to understand music; the possibilities, the practices and generally what is going on on a song. Basically the grammatical rules of the written language of music. It explains what is going on when we listen to music.
Wikipedia provides a nice explanation from the The Oxford Companion to Music
The first is what is otherwise called 'rudiments', currently taught as the elements of notation, of key signatures, of time signatures, of rhythmic notation, and so on. [...] The second is the study of writings about music from ancient times onwards. [...] The third is an area of current musicological study that seeks to define processes and general principles in music — a sphere of research that can be distinguished from analysis in that it takes as its starting-point not the individual work or performance but the fundamental materials from which it is built.
The Oxford Companion to Music
answered 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
answered 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
answered 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
answered 4 hours ago
Shevliaskovic
19.9k1373160
19.9k1373160
A nice, early answer. Thanks! +1
– Tim
4 hours ago
add a comment |Â
A nice, early answer. Thanks! +1
– Tim
4 hours ago
A nice, early answer. Thanks! +1
– Tim
4 hours ago
A nice, early answer. Thanks! +1
– Tim
4 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
OK, we know that 'theory' is used to describe everything from basic rudiments to Schenkerian analysis. So that's the question answered.
What SHOULD 'theory' mean?
I think we can usefully seperate it from rudiments, a knowledge of the language of music. It's hard to start on theory until you know the language...
I like the scientific definition of 'theory'. We observe, codify, make predictions - and when the predictions consistently work we've got a useful theory. But a basic scientific principle is that you don't fall in love with a theory. When there's the chance to look at something from a different angle - Einstein rather than Newton - we rejoice! If we want a satnav in our car, that needs Einstein. But Newton's still great on the football field! Can we mix the two? Sure. Sometimes. Where appropriate. And that's where 'art' takes over from 'theory'.
Thank you for listening. No-one really thought there'd be '...a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?' that was any use, did they?
answered 1 hour ago
Laurence Payne
28.7k1451
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
OK, we know that 'theory' is used to describe everything from basic rudiments to Schenkerian analysis. So that's the question answered.
What SHOULD 'theory' mean?
I think we can usefully seperate it from rudiments, a knowledge of the language of music. It's hard to start on theory until you know the language...
I like the scientific definition of 'theory'. We observe, codify, make predictions - and when the predictions consistently work we've got a useful theory. But a basic scientific principle is that you don't fall in love with a theory. When there's the chance to look at something from a different angle - Einstein rather than Newton - we rejoice! If we want a satnav in our car, that needs Einstein. But Newton's still great on the football field! Can we mix the two? Sure. Sometimes. Where appropriate. And that's where 'art' takes over from 'theory'.
Thank you for listening. No-one really thought there'd be '...a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?' that was any use, did they?
answered 1 hour ago
Laurence Payne
28.7k1451
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
OK, we know that 'theory' is used to describe everything from basic rudiments to Schenkerian analysis. So that's the question answered.
What SHOULD 'theory' mean?
I think we can usefully seperate it from rudiments, a knowledge of the language of music. It's hard to start on theory until you know the language...
I like the scientific definition of 'theory'. We observe, codify, make predictions - and when the predictions consistently work we've got a useful theory. But a basic scientific principle is that you don't fall in love with a theory. When there's the chance to look at something from a different angle - Einstein rather than Newton - we rejoice! If we want a satnav in our car, that needs Einstein. But Newton's still great on the football field! Can we mix the two? Sure. Sometimes. Where appropriate. And that's where 'art' takes over from 'theory'.
Thank you for listening. No-one really thought there'd be '...a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?' that was any use, did they?
answered 1 hour ago
Laurence Payne
28.7k1451
OK, we know that 'theory' is used to describe everything from basic rudiments to Schenkerian analysis. So that's the question answered.
What SHOULD 'theory' mean?
I think we can usefully seperate it from rudiments, a knowledge of the language of music. It's hard to start on theory until you know the language...
I like the scientific definition of 'theory'. We observe, codify, make predictions - and when the predictions consistently work we've got a useful theory. But a basic scientific principle is that you don't fall in love with a theory. When there's the chance to look at something from a different angle - Einstein rather than Newton - we rejoice! If we want a satnav in our car, that needs Einstein. But Newton's still great on the football field! Can we mix the two? Sure. Sometimes. Where appropriate. And that's where 'art' takes over from 'theory'.
Thank you for listening. No-one really thought there'd be '...a nice simple formulation of what constitutes music theory?' that was any use, did they?
answered 1 hour ago
Laurence Payne
28.7k1451
answered 1 hour ago
Laurence Payne
28.7k1451
answered 1 hour ago
Laurence Payne
28.7k1451
answered 1 hour ago
Laurence Payne
28.7k1451
28.7k1451
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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