Comments on: The Importance of Understanding Music Theory

By: Ryan Egan

Ryan Egan — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:26:27 +0000

@Chris – “he leader can’t take the band further than himself” – this is so true, even on the spiritual side of things!

@Matthew – I have seen and heard of the Nashville Number System – never used it – but I here it’s great. I prefer actually figured bass myself (the Roman numerals in music theory) but the NNS could definitely be a big help to many people.

@Joel – Good that you’ve realized your limitations and good that your soaking everything in. I just happened to stumble on musictheory.net – don’t even remember how, but it’s really quite a nice little site.

@Tyler – I think we should definitely focus on non-theory stuff – as in, exalting God above everything and making that the primary purpose, but as you said, it is necessary knowledge.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:29:12 +0000

I would say I know enough to get by, but I definitely prefer to focus on non theory stuff. I do agree, however, that it is a necessary knowledge even in the smallest churches.

By: Joel Klampert

Joel Klampert — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:21:36 +0000

dead on…and that resource is fantastic…I am a guy with no music theory training. I have realized my limitations with that and I am trying to learn everything I can now.
Im a jack of all trades yet master of none and trying to fix that :)

By: Music Theory Article Up at The Worship Community Website | i am an offering

Music Theory Article Up at The Worship Community Website | i am an offering — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:13:31 +0000

[...] My first article at The Worship Community has been published. Check it out, especially if you’re wondering why it’s important to know music theory as a worship leader. [...]

By: Matthew Daniel

Matthew Daniel — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:57:59 +0000

Loved this post. We’ve always encouraged all of our musicians to learn some theory – even if that just means learning the order of the chords and memorizing the chords and their corresponding number for each key.

Not sure if you have ever used the Nashville number system, but it’s a great hybrid of chord charts and actual theory. I hope to take it with us wherever we go – EASY TRANSPOSITION!!!

I know just enough to get by, and consult with my wife on any theory I’m unsure about. She’s the coolest!

mjd

By: Chris Moncus

Chris Moncus — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:48:47 +0000

Dude, you’re right on. Luckily I got real music training before instrument training. So when I picked up guitar after 5 years on trumpet I already had a head start simply by knowing how music worked. Then I see so many worship leader friends who don’t understand basic theory. They know where to put their fingers to make a G major but have no idea what makes a G major. It’s unfortunate because the leader can’t take the band further than himself.

I echo Ryan wholeheartedly and highly suggest every church musician get some music training to understand why we play what we play. Especially leaders so we can take our bands to whole new levels.

By: Ryan Egan

Ryan Egan — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:07:56 +0000

Thanks! I should really finish my composition degree someday…sigh. I got really burned out and ended up in graphic design, but music is my ultimate passion. Very fun to be involved here.

By: Fred McKinnon

Fred McKinnon — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:06:09 +0000

Ryan,
Awesome article, bro … coming from a dude who has a college degree in Music Theory/Composition … I love it!