I’ve been explaining what I see as The Problem With A Lot Of Music School Kids to people recently. Steve Reich said basically the same thing in an interview 8 years ago. It’s important! Check it out!
“I think people suffer from a misconception, not only about me, but about music theory and its relation to music practice. Whatever music theory you encounter, certainly including the rules of four-part harmony, was written after a style had been worked out by ear, and by a good musical ear. Of course its good for a student to learn the rules of four-part harmony, but with the understanding that they’re just student exercises and that parallel fifths may be perfect in another context. All music theory refers to something that has already happened, but if it is taken as a prescription, or worse as a manifesto, heaven help you.”
Tags: composition, Music, Steve Reich, the Problem With Music School Kids
