How Much Music Theory Does Jeff Know?

[cryptique]

This would be a great thread for me to poop on!

 

Yup.

[jff]

Isn't music theory another form of elitism or attempt to codify the predominant language of expression in favor of the west?

 

No, not any more than the english language alphabet is a form of elitism.

[caliber66]

Anyway, I object to the notion that knowledge of theory somehow impedes musical creativity. It's just another tool for the songwriter to use or not use as he or she sees fit. If Jeff thinks he needs to add more theory to his tool kit, I'm sure it won't hinder his songwriting. But there's no guarantee it would improve it, either!

I don't think anyone is saying that learning theory will impede one's creativity, only that it can, if the artist tries to force things where they don't need to be.

 

This would be a great thread for Jeff to pop his VC cherry!

That would be tough to do, unless he's got a time machine.

[lost highway]

No, not any more than the english language alphabet is a form of elitism.

 

Yeah, but you want to talk elititsm, lets talk Mandarin Chinese. I never know what those people are talking about, and I know they know things that I don't. Just kills me. Same with Hindi, and apparantly those ancient Egyptians thought they were pretty fancy too.

[MattZ]

There's an interesting book that came out pretty recently that explores how our brains perceive music. I looked at it in the book store and turned to a chapter that seemed to be making the point that the whole major/minor chord distinctions as happy/sad are very much a learned/societal response. Same with "high" notes as opposed to "low" notes. Or the 1, 4, 5 chord patterns in our music. He also suggested that different societies definitely perceive music and rhythmic patterns differently. It's on my "to pick up" list.

 

It's called This Is Your Brain on Music. This is not a plug for the book -- I haven't read it. But it seemed to be a pretty interesting concept. Anyone here read it?

[cash]

There's an interesting book that came out pretty recently that explores how our brains perceive music. I looked at it in the book store and turned to a chapter that seemed to be making the point that the whole major/minor chord distinctions as happy/sad are very much a learned/societal response. Same with "high" notes as opposed to "low" notes. Or the 1, 4, 5 chord patterns in our music. He also suggested that different societies definitely perceive music and rhythmic patterns differently. It's on my "to pick up" list.

 

It's called This Is Your Brain on Music. This is not a plug for the book -- I haven't read it. But it seemed to be a pretty interesting concept. Anyone here read it?

That's a really cool idea. I'll definitely pick it up. I always wanted to double major in psychology and theory in college so that I could write a paper discussing the scientific reasons why the Beatles were so successful.

 

I thought this was funny:

One day in history class we were discussing the rise of elvis, watching some sort of documentary on it. Some lady was talking about how the music moved her; she said: "It just made me feel happy!" Listening to all elvis's stuff, It's all just I-IV-V chords over and over again. Essentially it was all three major or "happy" chords played over and over and over again, of course she's going to feel happy!

[a.miller]

It's called This Is Your Brain on Music.

I hope someone has read it and can tell us all the good parts.