Seovel Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 I know some chord and can play guitar. i don't have musical theory(key, chord progression,.. etc). i wonder if i can write a music without musical theory. do you think it is possible? When John lennon and Thom yorke whom i respect wrote a music, Did they know some basic musical knowledge?? or they are same as i know that only some chord and how to play guitar(or piano)? they only depend on insipiration? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardener Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 As long as you can notate music in some form (or invent your own form of notating music), there's nothing stopping you from writing music, no matter what you know about "music theory". Keep in mind that "music theory" is a rather open term, especially in today's times. There aren't any universal rules of what you may or may not do, there are just some more established practices in some styles/periods and some less common practices. A knowledge of music history, common composition techniques, common practice harmony etc. is helpful to understand how certain kinds of music work and it might inspire you, or help you to realize the music you imagine, but it's a matter of your personal approach. Some people want to "know" as much as possible before writing their first note, and approach composition from a more analytical or intellectual side. Others are more into experimentation and seeing for themselves what works for them and what doesn't. There isn't one single "proper" way of composing. So I'd just start writing some music and see how it goes. No matter what your theoretical knowledge is. I had only extremely minimal knowledge of any kind of "music theory" when I started writing my own things. I tried out stuff, let myself be inspired by other music, played around on the piano, wrote down all sorts of weird things, and slowly, along the way I started to pick up some music theory too. There's really no reason to strictly separate it into "first the theory, then the practice". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qmwne235 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 I agree with Gardener. When John lennon and Thom yorke whom i respect wrote a music, Did they know some basic musical knowledge?? Yes, they most likely did. If not from studying it formally, they almost certainly have gained a lot of knowledge from experimentation. (Radiohead is awesome. :)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Smith Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Radiohead is very influenced by Steve Reich, who has a strong background in academic musical study. Just sayin. There is no *right* way though, but consider your options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tochacz Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 If You want to compose and thus express feelings, in other words, if the composition has to be unique and possess your own style, You can create your own theory. It is the matter of trying and experimenting on harmony, melody and other parts of musical piece. You can possess Your favorite chord progressions and cadences and simply use it! If You very like works of a certain composer, you should read the sheet music, listen to it and, maybe there will be an excellent chord progression or type of accompaniment. You can use it. But do not copy works of other composers, try to create your style and your composed pieces, which you will proud of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XxCransworthxX Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Well, if you wanna write rock music, just repeat a I-V-IV-I progression over and over again with drum hits on 2 and 4. (Obviously it's in 4/4). (Before stupid people try to attack me: I'm kidding, okay? I know not all rock music does that.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 It would be I, IV, V, I anyway. Or better, i, vi, iv, VII, in minor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XxCransworthxX Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 It would be I, IV, V, I anyway. Or better, i, vi, iv, VII, in minor. Actually, lots of rock music uses I V IV V. It's really sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Yea, I, V, IV, V, but you said I, V, IV, I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardener Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Hmm, I'm sure I've heard I, V, IV, I quite often too. Can't really say how common it is though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spherenine Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Yeah, I-V-VI-I is rather common as well. I think "The Middle" is, for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 What a fail progression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spherenine Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 What a fail progression. Jimmy Eat World just barely missed being in the Baroque era. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Smith Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Jimmy Eat World isn't good. Keep your generic proletariat white people music off my forum, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spherenine Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Your forum? Who the gently caress are you? "The Middle" is an incredible pop song. Grow a pair of dick. Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chodelkovzart Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 i hear I-V-vi-IV like EVERYWHERE. it just repeats again and again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Bryan Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 I wish this might help.. Up by Fourth progressions has the most strong movement in all chord progressions (e.g. I-IV, V-I) Next is Up by Second (e.g. I-ii, IV-V, vii dim-I) Third is Down by Third (e.g. I-vi, IV-ii) This is only based on the common practice period. Those which do not follow the rule is called regression. They are considered to have relax moment when used. I know some chord and can play guitar. i don't have musical theory(key, chord progression,.. etc). i wonder if i can write a music without musical theory. do you think it is possible? When John lennon and Thom yorke whom i respect wrote a music, Did they know some basic musical knowledge?? or they are same as i know that only some chord and how to play guitar(or piano)? they only depend on insipiration? Maybe, that's why we have what we called ARRANGER, lol. Just kidding. :D Seriously, I, myself just read music theory from the internet. You can also learn if you want to. Everyone of us start from nothing. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinjessome Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Everything you need to know about music theory: Django Bates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePianoSonata Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Your forum? Who the gently caress are you?"The Middle" is an incredible pop song. Grow a pair of dick. Lol. Yep. Jimmy Eat World writes some good tunes. Greg just has poor taste. Greg, maybe you sould go study some music at Yale... oh wait, har har har. My music theory profs idea of modern rock was Peter, Paul and Mary. :toothygrin: Some classical musicians just refuse to accept that their favorite music isn't very relevant anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Since when did relevant matter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Bryan Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Seovel, check for this... Music Theory Music Theory I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seovel Posted December 31, 2008 Author Share Posted December 31, 2008 thank you all :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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