Music theory is commonly misrepresented as a topic area within music education. Regardless of age, experience, or ability, learners often think of theory as a difficult or boring subject, with many not knowing how useful it is in supporting their practical instrumental playing and even goes beyond to include songwriting and composition.
Here at Leeds Junior Conservatoire, things are looking a little different as our theory classes that run every week are always full of enthusiastic learners. We decided to investigate by casually asking our talented young musicians what their thoughts are on the importance of understanding music. This article summarises their collective opinions.
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Why is understanding music important? How does it support the practical playing or writing of music?
Tochi: feel what the composer wants you to feel.
The playing will be more emotive if the player understands the intentions of the composer. For example, we can add more trills and vibrato on a slow passage when playing a melody on top of minor chords to evoke feelings of sadness and melancholy when we understand the difference between major and minor chords.
Sophie: help you create music.
There are certain elements which differentiates between different styles of music including structure, chord progressions, and identifying key centres. For example, knowing that a standard pop song usually includes a bridge section can help you decide whether you want to include one as well, and where in the form e.g. before or after the 2nd chorus.
Harry: develop your musical vocabulary.
Having a rich and deep musical vocabulary helps with many aspects of your musical journey including composition, reading standard notation, and passing grades or exams if you wish to pursue music academically. It is also essential for improvisation or communicating with other musicians.
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What topics or concepts should beginners know first?
Melody: This is arguably the most important to start with as it is definitive of a particular piece of music (other elements like chord progression or rhythm can be reused). Albi notes that it is often ‘the first thing you notice’. Therefore, it should be the first thing you learn. Albi also thinks that the melody ‘can give rise to different thoughts and imagery’ which is powerful as a tool of expression.
Harmony: Chords do the job of complimenting the melody by providing a framework, with popular chord progressions being used again and again as they are pleasant to the listeners’ ears. Harry thinks that ‘harmony can change the vibe of a melody, and therefore the whole song’. Vocal harmonies are also very common in pop songs with the use of backing vocals and layering tracks in recordings.
Rhythm: The tempo and groove of a song often determine the style or musical genre. For example, a slow rock ballad from the 1980s contrasts with an upbeat urban hip-hop track from the 2000s. Tochi says that ‘rhythm is what makes music sound constructed’ - it is what glues and holds the song together.
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What are some supporting examples?
Melody: Yesterday – The Beatles
Anabell thinks that the vocal melody line is strong, simple, and memorable. Harry adds that a memorable melody helps reach a global audience which contributes to the song being famous.
Harmony: God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
Albi comments that the vocal harmonies reflect the title by expressing a sense of spiritual calmness, while Tochi thinks that the harmony enhances the story-telling aspect of this song.
Rhythm: Alright – Kendrick Lamar
Sophie links the rap by the vocals with the rhythmic beats by the drums which complement each other very well. The rhythm sometimes enhances certain words in the lyrics, too. Anabell feels that the upbeat rhythm is what makes this song fun and easy to dance to.
Further explorations with examples
Exploring scales, intervals, and instrumentation with Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
The iconic piano intro features arpeggios that outline the chords in the harmony. The last two notes in each phrase jumps higher, which according to Anabell is good use of ‘intervals in the arpeggiated theme’.
Much like arpeggios, the scales used by the guitar riffs cover a wide range which creates sonic diversity throughout the whole six minutes and keeps the listener engaged. Scales also play a role in separating or bridging different sections e.g. the vocal line that goes ascending before the guitar solo ‘I sometimes wish I’d never been born at all’. This is a great example of how an element like scales can link well with another element like structure.
Anabell adds that the variety of instruments switching from a calm piano intro to heavy rock guitars as the song progresses ‘tells a story which is drastically changing’. The harmony makes the song sound full and lush.
The instrumentation also adds to the expressions and meaning of the song. Albi points out that the vocal harmonies create an ethereal atmosphere which highlights the nihilistic view of life, as supported by the opening lyrics ‘Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?’
Exploring dynamics and articulation with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Dynamics not only refer to the volume or loudness, but also the intensity of how the notes are played. Albi states that this links well with the importance of understanding the composer’s intentions as ‘changing dynamics often reflect the types of emotions shown in a piece of music’. This comes through naturally in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons as each concerto varies dynamically to convey the composer’s expressions of the changing seasons in a year.
These concertos are a fantastic example of varied articulation with pizzicato and legato playing. Articulation is how the notes are played or phrased, which also enhances the expression and meaning of the music. For example, notice that in the Spring concerto there is difference between long and short notes, and the use of vibrato in the opening melody.
With insights given by the students in our theory classes, it is always inspiring to see the depth of understanding as well as the endless creativity and musical potential they continue to achieve. These were some brilliant thoughts and ideas – well done to everyone!
Find out more:
If you would like to know more about opportunities for young people in music at Leeds Junior Conservatoire please contact us at [email protected]. We have a wide range of entry points from beginner through to advanced.
