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On why I don't give music theory tips — a thread.
I used to be the kind who harped on theory, on pieces having "a good dose of tonality" in my own words.
Unfortunately, this meant that what I didn't understand, I could reject, pick apart, and dislike it.
Unfortunately, this meant that what I didn't understand, I could reject, pick apart, and dislike it.
Over the years I've come to understand that songs aren't just N minutes of music. Often, they are stories of individual or collective souls. They often have context.
Even a parody song would tell me about the humour of a person, for example.
Even a parody song would tell me about the humour of a person, for example.
People resonate differently. What makes them feel fulfilled, or happy, or excited, is different. Their experiences are different.
Naturally, this'll spill into their creative process and expression as well.
Naturally, this'll spill into their creative process and expression as well.
Too often have I disregarded the things I didn't understand; other people resonate with different scales and tonalities and manners of writing!
So instead, now, I try to help someone resonate to the best that they can with each song, giving pointers when asked:
So instead, now, I try to help someone resonate to the best that they can with each song, giving pointers when asked:
Someone has a song, it could have lyrics, or not. There is often a description that accompanies it, and it carries its own set of emotions. I try to give production and composition help that would benefit *that song,* that would help the composer express it to the fullest.
I can talk about their instrument choice and what could be done to heighten that feeling, the way *they themself* want to express it.
If inspired by an image, I go through that image with them, and ask them what they see. Then I encourage them to look deeper if possible.
If inspired by an image, I go through that image with them, and ask them what they see. Then I encourage them to look deeper if possible.
I can't just throw general sound bites on the net about this. Maybe I can talk about my own process, but without the context of this entire thread, it just feels hollow and incomplete.
I want to sit down with someone, understand how they think and feel, and help from there.
I want to sit down with someone, understand how they think and feel, and help from there.
I have come to understand the power of emotional literacy in music — and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
It is an extremely powerful thing to see a musician finally come into their own and truly express themself, regardless of rules or expectations.
It is an extremely powerful thing to see a musician finally come into their own and truly express themself, regardless of rules or expectations.
To that end, I have actually practised all that I have spoken of:
Those of you on Newgrounds who have seen me in contest season these last 2 years have seen how I have tailored my production and composition critique to the intentions behind each song.
Those of you on Newgrounds who have seen me in contest season these last 2 years have seen how I have tailored my production and composition critique to the intentions behind each song.
I still have records of these critiques, for anyone who would like to peruse them. It flows from the heart. I'm not doing this claiming to be some sort of academic, because I'm not.
So yes. This is why I rarely, if ever, give tutorial sound bites.
But, if y'all wanna talk emotional literacy in music? My inboxes are open.
Let's talk.
But, if y'all wanna talk emotional literacy in music? My inboxes are open.
Let's talk.
