Why are some people so paranoid about music theory?

Question

Music theory is cool. However, I've noticed that a few genres of music tend to discourage it. I just read that learning music theory "seems like the antithesis" of being able to improvise. Apparently, having the equivalent of a doctorate in music can actually be a disadvantage if you want to get hired as a conductor, because they think you're too theoretical. Is there anything about learning music theory well that slows down your musical capabilities?

Answer 1

The answer is Yes and No. It is easy to get locked into a specific mindset when studying theory, although the longer you study the more different modes of analysis you learn and work with, so that can be less of an issue. But much of early theory work is taught as Rules That Must Be Obeyed when writing or creating, and it can be hard to break your brain of THAT habit.

On the other hand, it's incredibly difficult to do anything in music without knowing WHY things are working. That is what theory is at it's heart: this piece of music works, but why? How can you consistently create a great improv solo without understanding what's going on?

I've never heard that about conductors, but honestly I wish I had fewer violinists and more theorists! Many of the violin conductors I've had don't seem to understand how wind instruments work.

The other side of learning theory as the Big Bad is that so many genres and areas of music pride themselves on being self taught and not out of books. So there's a, I hesitate to say class issue, but it reads as that, with people being theoretically good at a genre versus functionally good at a genre. Kinda slides along with aphorisms such as Those Can't Do, Teach. But I've found that great musicians of all genres are pretty comfortable with understanding the insides of the music they play. What is that, if not theory? Also, any number of musicians find their theory class to be hard, much the same as a math class, and that colors their opinion.

I hope this helped. It's an interesting question.

Answer 2

This is a great question that I think a lot of students have. Let's take this question point by point.

First, does music theory knowledge impede one's ability to improvise? Actually, I think it is actually the opposite. When we study music theory we are learning the ways in which music can be expected to behave in certain situations. Of course harmonies have functioned differently in different eras of music, and continue to do so today in different genres. For example, Mozart's conception of harmony and tonality was different from that of J.S. Bach. Musical thought evolves, music changes, and composers begin to experiment with new ways of moving between harmonies, or new formal structures, and so on. Music theory ponders ways in which music can and does function, and knowing how to properly conceive of and execute a musical idea requires at least a certain degree of knowledge. The idea that improvising something is to act with no forethought is a common misconception. Just as when one is in a verbal conversation their responses may not be pre-planned, but they do still follow basic rules of grammar, syntax, and style. One would be expected to respond to another in the same language, about the same topic within the same context rather than just saying a string of random sounds.

As for having a doctorate in music theory putting you at a disadvantage for a position as a conductor, this again is a falsehood. Conductors must be adept at music analysis in some very deep and meaningful ways in order to be an effective ensemble director. Conductors spend months, and even years, analyzing a work before even approaching a rehearsal. Furthermore, conductors must make their analyses come to life. What one is hearing when they attend a concert is the conductor's interpretation of the score. They are bringing to life how their analysis leads them to an interpretation of the score that they are presenting to the audience. Conductors perform an analysis as a way of saying "this is how I believe the piece should function/sound."

Finally, is there anything about learning music theory that slows down your musical capabilities? My answer is a firm and unequivocal 'no.' Strong music theory skills will make one a better performer, conductor, improvisor, and musician in general.

We must always remember that music theory is not a set of strict rules, but rather a set of historical examples that show us how music usually functions in certain specific situations. It is our job as musicians and theorists to continue developing ideas about other ways in which music can function.