Why do self-taught musicians need to know their music theory?

Question

My parents keep telling me I gotta do the classical thing. But all I really wanna do is play my beat box and rhyme.

Answer 1

I totally get it! But, having music theory knowledge can actually expand your toolbox - your creativity will skyrocket with a deeper understanding of HOW music comes together.

Plus, it can give you a leg-up on the competition. Think of music theory as a secret weapon: when pitching your music to be produced professionally, demonstrating that you have an actual understanding of your art, beyond the fact that it sounds good, will give you much more credibility as a musician.

Hope that sheds some light on a new perspective!

Answer 2

Hi, I get asked this all the time.

First off, you don't need to learn anything that doesn't benefit you directly.

But learning music theory will not only help you with your own tracks, it'll also allow you to communicate your ideas with the rest of the music industry.

So if you care about building a fanbase and selling merch, you need to learn music theory.

That's a whole lot more accurate than saying all self-taught musicians need to learn music theory. In my humble opinion. 🙂

Answer 3

A musician isn't a musician in my book unless the person can read the language. Everyone needs to know how to read music...music theory. Give yourself every option in musical life. Don't limit yourself to only guitar chords or whatever else you think you don't need to know. I like to direct my students to Teoria.com. I love it! I even get on there from time to time to see what's there for beginners and what's changed. My Dad taught me to read music at age 4. But I love going on to these music theory platforms and just playing sometimes. They teach you and are fun! Go for it.

Answer 4

It's simple, in the beginning theory is what you need to know to be able to read the music. That way you can become much more flexible, knowledgeable and be able to figure things out for yourself and be independent. It also makes talking about your music with others much easier. Instead of saying that wiggly quiet thing somewhere towards the end, you can say the rest at the end of the 2nd phrase. You just sound more intelligent, like a serious musician and the other musicians actual know what you are talking about.

Later on, music theory becomes what you need to know so that you can better Understand the music. Take it from just notes to real music. It will help you learn the music much more quickly and accurately, give you a reference to see if you forget something, and if you are playing music by other musicians, it will help you create a performance that is true to the composers intentions, Then you can put your own spin on it.

Answer 5

Adding to what everyone said...

I had this same question when I was at your level and it took me a while to understand that music theory is very import. Music theory helps you communicate with other musicians who you might be playing with or jam in the future. It's nice to say to the flutist (or any musician for that matter) " on measure 3 bar 2 come in and play that line in cut time" etc.