Music theory = Creativity block?

I noticed this interesting question on another forum just recently:

Music theory = Creativity block? I know many people who will say "No, of course not. Theory can only be used for good" but I've talked to other people who state otherwise. Could it be that if we study theory hard, we leave less space for creativity?

1. You read music theory. You're learning about composition technique such as counterpoint and modulation. You notice how your compositions become progressively better the more you learn music theory, and you're starting to create more advanced pieces that you didn't know you could do. However, studying other masterpieces, you notice how far beyond great they are, and you start to think that your music is nothing compared to them.

2. You don't read music theory. You're totally self-taught, and you don't really care reading about composition technique. You don't use any rules or borders, and you leave 100% up to your creativity. You will eventually achieve the same knowledge (to a certaint point) as the one who reads theory, but in a much slower pace. Your first compositions are ridiculously bad, and you get alot of bad critique by fellow composers. You, on the other hand, don't think your own pieces are bad. In fact, you think they are pretty good, and you see a lot of potential in your work.

Is it common sense to accept that you will never be as good as you wished you'd be (1), and that it's ignorant to believe you're going to be something one day (2).

Or is it the other way around? - It's unnecessary and condecending to think you're bad compared to your idols, and that it's vital to believe in yourself, and think you actually ARE better than your idols, but just haven't gotten there yet.

Meh, I guess you all are like this right now:* but does this all make sense?[/b]

So, what's your oppinion?

Everyone who answerd this question must be a total pesimist. Either you learn and loose creativity or you don't learn and no one likes your compositions. Both of these answers have nothing to do with reality! If no one ever learned anything how did they become so great? If someone studied a lot how did he become known if he has no creativity? Both views tell you you can't make it in composing, and it's obvious that some of us can. So here is my answer:

Music theory can help of course - it is made so that it leaves much, much room for creativity and your expression. I, for example, had theory classes for 5 years in a music elementary school. Just the basics. Never had any actual harmony, composition classes. So then i composed based on those rules, and later on i started to experiment a little. I listend many, many other peoples compositions, got some new inspirations and i am constantly trying out new things.
So, Ii think the only way music theory can create a creativity block is if you are not open minded, not too interested in composition and if decited to take your own strict style. (Like classical revivalist, or a strictly atonal composer).

I don't there's any harm in working on your own at first, without the aid of theory. A little exploration could't hurt. But at some point I feel its necessary to learn theory. It's like if you're going to be writing a paper on a current issue, without reading the articles of events leading up to that issue and the varying viewpoints on the issue. You need to know it, and apply it to your style in the most meaningful way you can.

And for anyone to compare themselves to the masters......well that's just ridiculous.

Is it a creativity block to learn the alphabet?

Music theory is to composition what the alphabet and grammar are to written language. Sure, you can tell a story and be illiterate - but it will never be Shakespeare.

I've never understood why some young people have such a mental block against learning theory. If you treat music as a toy, that's all it will ever be to you.

Originally posted by J. Lee Graham@Sep 2 2005, 05:04 PM
[b]Is it a creativity block to learn the alphabet?

Music theory is to composition what the alphabet and grammar are to written language.* Sure, you can tell a story and be illiterate - but it will never be Shakespeare.*

I've never understood why some young people have such a mental block against learning theory.* If you treat music as a toy, that's all it will ever be to you.

Maybe it is a mental block to learn alphabet.

Have you read The golden compass by Philip Pulman? Since it is a book about a paralel word there are words that contain letters like a+e (you know... an a tied to an e). Other symbols other then alphabetical can be used in literature.

Understand now?

I believe that a person should experinment with writing music with no theory at first. As this person becomes naturally better and learns what generally sounds good, he the person should advance towards learning theory. In that way the person can learn why certain chords do sound good together, or open his mind to new ideas. Things he would have never thought of by himself.

It works like this:

As a child you learn to speak without rules. You listen to sounds being formed around you and start to say words, then phrases. Then become pretty good at talking. However, you still make mistakes. Like "I don't want no vegatable!" Then at a certain age you learn the rules to grammar, learn new words and learn how to express your ideas more clearly. In the same way, music theory teaches you how to express your ideas better or in a way you wouldn't have thought of naturally before.

As this person becomes naturally better and learns what generally sounds good, he the person should advance towards learning theory.

Sounds good to me.

''I don't want no vegatable!''
You'd be suprised how many people actually speak like that.

Excellent piece of writing, bitterduck! Exacly how i feel.

I believe that a person should experinment with writing music with no theory at first.* As this person becomes naturally better and learns what generally sounds good, he the person should advance towards learning theory.* In that way the person can learn why certain chords do sound good together, or open his mind to new ideas.* Things he would have never thought of by himself.*

It works like this:

As a child you learn to speak without rules.* You listen to sounds being formed around you and start to say words, then phrases.* Then become pretty good at talking.* However, you still make mistakes.* Like "I don't want no vegatable!"* Then at a certain age you learn the rules to grammar, learn new words and learn how to express your ideas more clearly.* In the same way, music theory teaches you how to express your ideas better or in a way you wouldn't have thought of naturally before.

Yes, BitterDuck you most cirtanly gave the finest comment! Bravissimo!

But... what's "learning theory"? I think every composer should learn music theory early on - but not always in a formal setting. As long as learning theory doesn't involve learning to automatically think in a certain way, it's a good thing. (I, for one, usually think in terms of jazz chord notation rather than Roman numerals, because that way I find it easier to modulate from one key to another, or to handle harmonically unstable passages.)