Alternative Approaches To Music Theory

I've really struggled to get my head around music theory - the way it's currently presented - since I started composing last summer.

So, I've been giving some thought as to alternative ways of presenting it that might make it more accessible to new untrained composers, especially those who use DAWs and samples rather than manuscript.

This video is meant as an exploration only - not suggesting better or worse approaches, or taking a position - only considering alternatives that could work for some people. Hope it's helpful.

https://youtu.be/O_SSqvaVKDA?si=QXuksfXovuawS3Tf

Hi @guy500!

I find the production of your video really nice! Also, nice face reveal!

For the practical side I actually take your approach exactly. I write to learn instead of learn before write sometimes. For example I only learn how to write fugues when I tried a five part fugue in the 3rd movement of my Clarinet Quintet. I think only by writing you will know what you really need to learn from those theories.

Although I love music theory myself to be honest haha. However, learning theory and using them in composition is completely different things. You have to be so familiar with those theories so that when you compose you can forget them completely and use your intuition (guess what, my MBTI is INFJ and so my primary function would be introverted intuition, as you mention MBTI in your video) to compose. That’s why I think learning theory, no matter drily or with love, is crucial. I guess you are an INFP because you weigh introverted feeling so strongly in your video?

Thx for sharing btw!

Henry

Thanks a lot Henry.  Appreciate the comments.

Yes INFP, so not only introverted feeling, but that combined with extroverted intuition.  It means the intuition is naturally stronger and the capacity to learn theory is naturally weaker, so for me it's a choice between going against the grain and trying to learn in the conventional way anyway (which would likely kill my process), or try to find a different way (difficult as it's so rarely talked about....).

9 hours ago, guy500 said:

Yes INFP, so not only introverted feeling, but that combined with extroverted intuition.  It means the intuition is naturally stronger and the capacity to learn theory is naturally weaker, so for me it's a choice between going against the grain and trying to learn in the conventional way anyway (which would likely kill my process), or try to find a different way (difficult as it's so rarely talked about....).

Yeah Thinking functions are the weakest for INFP so it would be really to build up theories for you guys, unless your mind tell you you must learn those theories or you love them, then you would really learn them well! Given the secondary Extraverted intuition keep exploring new music and getting insights by brainstorming would really help you find your fav. theory learning method!

Btw. I guess there are a lots of INFPs on the forum as well!

Henry