Years ago when I was studying music I tried to find reasons and relations every where in music. It was important for learning theory but happily after music school-years I took steps back and started to rely on naturalness of music making. Everything can be analyzed but do we need to analyze everything?
When I made this little song I put theory thinking away as much I could. Normally I might think keys and theory-based next chords when composing. But this time I didn't think what key I was in or what chord belongs to another. This way of composing is IMO very inspiring.
Keep on playing and loving life!
Mikko
Mikko,
I agree with you -- in principle. Years ago, when I was in the flower of my youth, I wrote a song. The words came first, but they implied the melody, which in turn translated into an (acoustic) guitar piece. Not long after, I was in my second semester of music theory in college, and was given a final exam: take any current popular song and transpose it to four-part harmony. I asked the professor if I could use my own composition instead, and was granted permission to do so. It was then that I discovered my song utilized a simple Circle of Fifths transposition. I had unknowingly used solid music theory to write my song!
Much like painters and sculptors, knowing the classical structures and practices is important, because then breaking or bending them becomes knowledge rather than accident.
By the way, I received an "A" on my final.
Duke Ellington said it best: "If it sounds good, it IS good!"
Hi!
That was nice story.
This one of the best thing I have heard:
Much like painters and sculptors, knowing the classical structures and practices is important, because then breaking or bending them becomes knowledge rather than accident./quote]
Thank you!
Cheers, Mikko
Given the pervasiveness of tertian tonality, it's difficult for people to not create music within such a frame. (Oftenly people can't even hear music that is without). Some may not do it correctly - parallel fifths, for example - but harmonically their bent is tertian-tonal.
A foundation in basic tonality gives one the tools to compose music. Not 'break rules'. [outside of some talent] A comprehensive musical experience is all one needs. It worked for Schoenberg. But that is not a popular music one.
