It’s not easy to learn music theory, and many students ask ‘Why should I even learn this in the first place? How will this help me?’ In this article, I will outline examples of music theory concepts that you will likely want to know and how they will result in tangible benefits to your playing.
1. Reading and Understanding Chord Symbols
Chord symbols denote which notes to play at any given time. For example, a Cmaj symbol means that the notes C, E, and G should be played. (Almost) every song is made up of a series of these chords, so this is essential to reading notation for a new song.
Whether you receive sheet music, or google a chart for a song, it’s very likely you’ll find a list of chord changes that must be read. In addition, playing chords or notes that don’t conform to the song can render the song different or unrecognizable.
Sometimes, the chords will be completely written out (e.g., A diminished). In this case, you’ll just need the music theory knowledge to understand which notes belong in this chord (A, C, Eb, Gb). However, sometimes the chord symbol will be used. There are different symbols for various chords that you’ll need to know! Check out this article for a full list.
In my gigging experience, I get a list of chord changes or a chart in an app like IRealb regularly. I’m not exaggerating when I say I could not gig without having a comprehensive knowledge of chords, chord symbols, and which notes belong in each.
2. Knowing Which Scales Correspond to Chords
Often times, you’ll want to play more than just the notes that belong in the specified chord. Most chords only specify three notes, but this does not mean that more notes can’t be played. In order to add notes, you’ll need to know which are appropriate and which aren’t.
The best way to know what you can play is to understand the scale that corresponds to the chord. Any note contained within that scale is acceptable (some more than others – the 6th is usually better than the 4th over a major chord, for example). Any note outside the scale can be used for a brief time, to transition to a note within the scale (play the flat 6th and the 6th right afterwards over a major chord, for example).
If you don’t expand the notes you play within a song, it can become repetitive. This especially applies to songs in which there are only a small number of chords. No one wants to listen to the same three notes of a C major chord played over and over again for 3+ minutes.
For jazz musicians, this is especially essential. In jazz, improvisers regularly develop lines and phrases using notes within the scales of the chord.
3. Rhythmic Concepts and Notation
Having familiarity with various rhythmic options can make your playing more interesting and creative. Music theory will teach you the many options at your disposal: quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets, etc. In addition, there can be hits and stabs in music that add variety and interest to the song.
Often times, these rhythmic elements will be written out or notated and will need to be read to play. In other cases, a bandmate may say something like ‘stabs on 2 and the and of 4’. You’ll want to know which beat is beat 2, and what the ‘and of 4 is’ (in a bar with 4 beats, you would play the note on beat 2, and halfway between beat 4 and the beginning of the next bar).
4. Terminology and Slang
Knowing the commonly used music theory terms for common concepts will help communicate with other musicians. Instead of describing what you want to hear in detail, a simple word can suffice (‘slur that’ instead of ‘could you play those two notes connected, without any gap in sound between them’).
Especially when you are receiving instructions from other musicians, they’ll often opt for these terms. When the bandleader yells ‘go the bridge’, you’ll want to know what a bridge is (a bridge is a contrasting section to a song, usually with different harmony to the verse and chorus). One band I played in was lead by a drummer who didn’t know any music theory – it took hours and hours to get through one song as he explained what he wanted to hear without the proper terminology.
Finally, when reading music, you’ll often come across music theory terms denoting various instructions as well.
When I play and hang with fellow musicians, music theory terms are constantly used. Just like any hobby, interest, or art, there’s a culture and a language that is used to communicate. Music theory terminology is embedded into the musician language and it comes in handy to effectively exchange musical ideas.
5. Sight Reading and Sheet Music
Reading sheet music and musical notation is one very helpful aspect of learning music theory. Reading music is not essential – but it is very useful nonetheless. You can learn new material much quicker than having to learn by ear. Also, some bands will have their entire setlist written out completely. If you’re a classical musician, reading music is an absolute requirement because every piece is written out.
6. Song Structure and Form
Every song has a structure with different sections that make up the whole. Knowing the names of each and what characteristics belong to which will help you keep track of where you are, write music, understand the stylistic elements to employ.
For example, choruses are usually the loudest and most exciting part of the song. You may want to consider altering your playing to be denser, louder, and maybe even include higher pitches to make these sections stand out. On the verse, you may want to consider playing more sparsely.
Other genres of music may have different sections. Jazz can include the intro, head in, solos, and head out – each section is unique and must be understood to get through the song. In a classical sonata, there are several sections that may require different dynamics and phrasing.
7. Genres and Stylistic Elements
Music theory can also help understand the variety of genres that exist and that you may want to play. Classical, jazz, latin, rock, blues – each has its own concepts that are prevalent throughout the music. Without knowledge of these fundamentals, the music can suffer.
If you play dance music, you’ll want to what ‘four on the floor means’. If you play latin music, you’ll want to know what the ‘clave’ is (both 2-3 and 3-2). If you want to put together a rock band, you’ll want to understand the roles of rhythm guitar and lead guitar (and whether you need one or both for your songs of choice). If someone in your band calls a blues in F, you’ll want to know each chord that falls into the 12 bar form. The list goes on and on – music theory is a broad subject but covers many of these topics.
In addition, many musicians (especially gigging musicians) are called upon to play many genres of music, often in the same gig. Often times it is expected that the musicians in the band have a stylistic understanding of the various popular genres.
8. Instrumentation
Especially as a keyboard player, you can be asked to emulate other instruments using the sounds in your sound engine. Whether it be an organ, wurlitzer, synth pad, synth lead, electric guitar, or brass – you’ll have to know what these instruments are, how they are played, and what their role is in a band.
For example, an organ has a keybed but is not played the same as a piano – the same combinations of notes on a piano and organ sometimes sound vastly different. In addition, organs have drawbars and harmonics that must be understood to avoid sounding amateur.
9. Phrasing Concepts
Phrasing is essential in making music sound interesting. If the notes, chord changes, melody, and beat is ‘what’ you’re playing, then phrasing is the ‘how’. Music theory covers a lot of topics regarding various phrasing techniques, each of which have their own terminology and uses. Being familiar with these concepts will ensure you know what tools you have at your disposal.
One common example of phrasing is varying how loud or quiet you play. Terms like ‘piano’ and ‘forte’ are used to denote volume, and there are other techniques like accents that identify certain notes to emphasize over others. You may also come across terms like ‘staccato’, which means to play a note short in order to leave space.
Without these music theory elements in your playing, the music can sound stale. This is the musical equivalent of speaking in monotone; any good speaker will emphasize words, pause, and modulate volume to draw the listener in.
10. Key Signatures and Transposition
There are twelve key signatures in music, and any song or piece can be played in all twelve. Music theory covers how to construct the sharps and flats in each key, what symbols are used to denote them, and how they relate to one another (circle of fifths). Without knowing every key, there will be many songs that you are unable to play at all.
When playing in a live band setting, often times musicians will call songs in a different key than the recording. This is especially true for singers, who often need to change keys to adjust for their vocal range. The music theory term for changing the key of a song is called ‘transposing’ – this is a technique I have to use very commonly in a live music setting. Another music theory term is called ‘modulation’, in which a song changes keys mid song. This can keep the music sounding fresh.
Knowing all twelve keys will also help you increase the amount of language you have at your disposal to improvise. You may know a certain lick, line, or chord voicing in one key – but you’ll know twelve of them if you can transpose. This effectively multiplies your arsenal of language by 12.
11. Music History
Music theory also covers music history – this can include the classical era, birth of jazz in the United States, and modern music today. Knowing the stories, artists, genres, and concepts is key to developing your sound and drawing inspiration from the greats. In any hobby, art, or skill, the best will draw from those in the past to learn from.
For example, classical musicians will want to know the various eras (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary, etc.). The same goes for jazz musicians (swing, bebop, electronic, modern, etc.). If you want to start a funk cover band, you’ll want to know all the great musicians of the past and present to choose your setlist from (James Brown, Earth Wind and Fire, etc.).
Studying past musicians will also help you identify new artists to listen to. Listening to new music will help you continue to evolve as a musician because you have more chances to discover songs/concepts that resonate with you. It’s very common for great musicians to listen to a wide variety of music, even if they don’t play those genres themselves.