The importance of music theory

Time for another "issue I've never got really cleared up but mentioned fleetingly in quite a few previous discussions" thread.

I used to play in an orchestra where I had to read sheet music, so I obviously know the basics of music theory. At the same time, much of the more advanced aspects involving things like melodic phrasing, texture, timbre, consonance/dissonance, counterpoint etc. I only have a novice understanding of patched together from music reviews written by people who know more of theory than I do. As a result, I sometimes wonder how much of the compositional content and details regarding performance I'm missing with more "out there" avantgarde/technical music.

On the other hand, I'm also kind of worried that if I learn too much music theory there'll be a lot of music I currently enjoy I no longer will because it no longer matches up to those standards set by the theory. That has happened to me on a major scale, and I've also encountered quite a few people who were really into music theory but couldn't enjoy any music whose songwriting and performance didn't fit into mathematically perfect rhythmic/melodic patterns. Curiously enough, those types I've met tend to find most "classic" progressive rock's approximation of classical/folk/jazz influences incorporated into a rock framework somewhat kitschy but are much more positive towards Beefheart/Zappa-type "avantgarde rock" as well as the Zeuhl and RIO scenes. (often also the more abstract types of extreme metal too)

Again, here I'm going by anecdotal experience but I'm curious to know how much I'm missing out on and how much analyzing music from an overtly formal/theoretical perspective in turn will actually limit your perspective.

To me, listening to music is an emotional experience not an analytical one. Improving your music theory knowledge can only have a positive effect, whether listing to or creating music.
          Rick Wakeman has said (paraphrasing)that you need to know the rules, before you can break them.

The-Bullet wrote: To me, listening to music is an emotional experience not an analytical one. Improving your music theory knowledge can only have a positive effect, whether listing to or creating music.           Rick Wakeman has said (paraphrasing)that you need to know the rules, before you can break them.

The-Bullet wrote: Rick Wakeman has said (paraphrasing)that you need to know the rules, before you can break them.

I'm of the opinion that learning something always, always helps. 

^^^ Nah, All you need to do is play whatever comes to mind. Just  pull a KC-like  improv and you're good to go.  

just another tool, do what you will with it. knowing theory will not make your music better or worse, you will. 

Edited by Sumdeus - August 26 2014 at 14:52

ProgMetaller2112 wrote: ^^^ Nah, All you need to do is play whatever comes to mind. Just  pull a KC-like  improv and you're good to go.

Manuel wrote: The-Bullet wrote: To me, listening to music is an emotional experience not an analytical one. Improving your music theory knowledge can only have a positive effect, whether listing to or creating music.           Rick Wakeman has said (paraphrasing)that you need to know the rules, before you can break them. I totally agree with you.Learning theory makes you understand the music structure, in terms of composition, progressions, regressions, orchestration, arrangements, instrumentation, etc. But don't forget about the emotion, feelings, sentiments, etc around the music, that can not be expressed or limited by your knowledge of theory.

^^ What they said ^^

I've got a theory; it could be bunnies...