I get asked and even ask myself sometimes, “should musicians learn music theory?” When I was completing my undergraduate work in Theory and Composition there was always this air of prestige and expectation from some of my pop-music friends. Some knew no theory and played wonderfully, but they would usually express a desire to learn music theory. Music theory is very useful up to a point. At a certain level of theory it gets pretty stuffy and impractical and unusable in the creation of music.

In this article I go over a few reasons musicians may want to learn music theory and give a few reasons why they may not. There is a lot of grey area in this, meaning musicians usually don’t just go one way or the other but rather somewhere in between.

Why study music theory?

The study of music theory can be of great value to musicians, providing a more nuanced understanding of the fundamental principles of the art. It serves to facilitate communication between musicians, aiding in the creation and arrangement of musical works, as well as in the process of improvisation and interpretation. Some specific benefits of learning music theory include the ability to communicate more effectively with one’s colleagues, an enhancement of creative abilities, an improvement in one’s overall musicality, and a more refined performance. In some cases, a thorough knowledge of music theory may even be a requirement for certain musical careers, such as teaching or composition.

A few reasons to learn music theory

Here are a few specific ways in which learning music theory can benefit a musician:

1. Improved communication: Music theory provides a common language that musicians can use to communicate with one another. This can be particularly useful when working in a group setting, as it allows musicians to discuss and understand the various elements of a piece of music, such as the key, harmony, and form. I used to be shy when someone would ask, “can you move that to the key of G?” And I didn’t know what they even meant. Now I know and it certainly helps with playing with others and with my confidence.
2. Enhanced creativity: Music theory can help musicians to understand the underlying principles of music, which can in turn inspire new ideas and approaches to music-making. For instance, understanding how different chord progressions work can help a musician come up with new melodies or harmonies. (check out my article on Bach’s chord progressions)
3. Enhanced musicality: Learning music theory can help musicians to develop a deeper understanding of the structure and organization of music, which can lead to a more refined and sophisticated musical style. Phrasing in particular can be better understood with a strong foundation in music theory.
4. Improved performance: Understanding music theory can also be helpful for musicians when it comes to interpreting and performing a piece of music. For example, understanding the form of a piece can help a musician to better understand how to structure their performance and make musical decisions.
5. Enhanced career opportunities: Some music-related careers, such as teaching or composing, may require a strong understanding of music theory. In these cases, learning music theory can be an important step towards achieving these goals.
6. Crossover applications: I’ve found that the analytic principles and techniques I learned and used in music theory are applicable to other fields. I use it in my writing, art, and even business. Music theory is about patterns and understanding relationships and those skills are transferable to many other areas.

Reasons musicians may not study music theory

Here are a few reasons why some musicians may choose not to learn music theory:

1. Limited time or resources: Learning music theory can be a time-consuming process, and some musicians may not have the time or resources to devote to it.
2. Intimidation or lack of interest: Some musicians may find the subject of music theory intimidating or may simply not be interested in it. In these cases, they may choose to focus on other aspects of music-making.
3. Preference for intuition: Some musicians may prefer to rely on their ears and intuition rather than formal theory when creating and performing music.
4. Different learning styles: Music theory can be taught in a variety of ways, and some musicians may find that certain approaches do not work for them. In these cases, they may choose not to pursue music theory.

It is important to note that these are just a few potential reasons why some musicians may choose not to learn music theory, and that each individual’s decision will be based on their own goals and preferences.

Some musicians will find that they are able to create and perform music to a high standard without any formal training in the subject.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to pursue the study of music theory should be based on the individual musician’s goals and preferences. While it can be of great benefit to some, others may find that a basic understanding is sufficient. There are also various approaches to the study of music theory, and what may be effective for one musician may not be as beneficial for another.

I have found a lot of value in my music theory training, but I have also seen where the study of music theory can get far away from the music. I view music theory as a tool I can choose to employ or not. The study of music theory can be an invaluable tool for musicians, but it is not a requirement for all.