Music lovers and those working in the music industry will know the benefits of music theory. It can make both the creation and appreciation of music easier, and give you a much-needed vocabulary to converse with other musicians. However, it is natural to wonder if this complex field is easy to learn.
Music theory can be quite challenging, but it is fairly easy to learn if the student has an interest and aptitude for music. Additionally, introductory-level courses and guides can give students a foundation in music theory without venturing too far into advanced theories.
The difficulty level of music theory will depend on your interest, time, and goals. Keep reading to learn about what can make music theory easy or difficult to learn, and some tips you can follow to make the process more enjoyable.
Will it be Easy to Learn Music Theory?
It is extremely common for talented and knowledgeable musicians to have no real background in music theory. Music theory has been around for centuries, and it gives technical explanations and theories behind the workings of good music.
Learning these musical theories is not always easy, but they can help you a lot.
That being said, many talented musicians just know what good music is because they have developed an ear for it and a natural aptitude.
However, if you are working in the music industry, many employers may want you to know music theory to improve relationships with clients and ensure high-quality music.
So, if you have the task of learning music theory before you, you may wonder just how difficult it will be.
Difficulty Level of Music Theory
Music theory has a lot of different levels and specializations. Learning to read notes is memorizing what each position on the music staff represents. While learning how to construct chords requires knowing how each note changes the characteristics of the chord.
In general, it will depend a lot on the person and how much they want to learn. Just like in school, there are some topics that’ll come easier and others that’ll challenge you.
Music theory is a large field that people can specialize in very highly. Many musical degrees in university have the students specialize in different fields too. Some fields include classical music, jazz, orchestral composition, instrument specialization, performance, etc.
Many people pursue doctorate degrees in music theory, showing that it is something that can be extremely difficult at high levels.
The difficulty level you face when learning music theory will probably depend on the following factors:
Musical Background
If you are completely new to music, expect a challenge. However, having a background in playing instruments will help you immensely as you will already be familiar with some of the foundational concepts and vocabulary.
Interest
Some people are fascinated by how good music works whereas others prefer to listen without overcomplicating it. If you have an interest in the technical side of music, you will probably enjoy learning about theory, which will make the process easier as a result.
Time Commitment
Music theory will require study and attention. If you are very busy with work and other commitments, you may find that the process is much more difficult than if you have free time on your hands.
Course Level
Signing up for an introductory course will be much more manageable than diving into an advanced theory class. Your knowledge will build over time with continued study, of course, but if you want to reduce confusion, starting small is a good idea.
Why is Music Theory Difficult?
Now that we have established the ways that music theory can be easy or challenging, you may be wondering why it is so difficult for some people. Music theory is a very large field, and very complex.
Music is an art but also has many scientific components, and breaking down the structure of how music works will require a discerning ear and attention to detail.
Additionally, music theorists need to pay attention to the existing scholarship that exists. People who are serious about music theory often spend a lot of time reading and researching different theories throughout history so they can better understand the field.
Once you have a piece of foundational knowledge, the vocabulary can still prove quite difficult. Even if you are an accomplished musician, the amount of terminology to describe different theories and concepts can be a little overwhelming.
Conclusion
It is not always easy to learn music theory, even though many people strongly believe that it is worth it.
However, the difficulty level of learning music theory depends on more things than just the field of study itself. Each student’s background and lifestyle will influence their experience in learning theory.
If you are new to learning music theory and are frustrated, do not give up. People spend years of life studying it, and it will get easier over time.