“You can have these tools in your tool belt and still make pretty mediocre art”: YouTuber says theory “isn’t actually necessary” to be a good songwriter
Does knowing extensive music theory make you a better songwriter? To a degree, yes; knowing more scales in depth offers quicker access to where to take your melodies next.
But one YouTuber doesn’t think theory is all that important in being a successful songwriter.
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In a new video on his channel, YouTuber Become The Knight comments on Rick Beato’s recent conversation with Rick Rubin, in which he spoke about the emotion and feel that can’t be taught with music theory.
“Knowing theory isn’t actually necessary for making a compelling piece of art,” he says. “Music education – whether it’s formal conservatory education or courses you purchase from an influencer – kind of sells you this expectation in its undertones, that if you just learn this hidden knowledge from those with the nosis, you too can garner the fame and glory of the musicians you love.
“Now they never say directly that you’ll actually write better – or at least they rarely do – but it’s implied that this will help you accomplish your dreams of becoming a successful artist.”
Become The Knight says music theory is great at helping you become a “good analyst or technician”, but not necessarily a good songwriter.
“Being an artist can include both of these things. These attributes can be incredibly helpful for providing you context on how to make great, compelling art, so I’m certainly not deriding them.
“But you can have all of these tools in your tool belt and still make pretty mediocre art. That’s because these lessons are trying to quantify the unquantifiable. They’re trying to introduce semantics to a world of semantic ambiguity.”
In other news, Rick Beato recently noted the Chappell Roan song that heralds the “return of the guitar solo” in 2025.
See more from Become The Knight via his official YouTube channel.
The post “You can have these tools in your tool belt and still make pretty mediocre art”: YouTuber says theory “isn’t actually necessary” to be a good songwriter appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Source: www.guitar-bass.net
