Author: rgames
Date: 2007-09-24 16:52
Music Theory is basically the collection of the traditional "laws" of music (such as they are). But as with any artform, laws are descriptive, not proscriptive like the laws of physics. So, whether or not a conductor needs to be well-versed in music theory is dependent upon what he wants to conduct.
Pick any conductor with a deep knowledge of traditional western music theory (harmony, voice leading, etc.), and ask him how that knowledge helps him when he conducts Ligeti.
By the time adjustments to the laws enter the canon, they have been conducted and performed a number of times. Witness the changes in harmonic structure from the baroque to the classical to the romantic, etc. Somebody (many bodies, in fact) had to conduct these changes before they became part of accepted practice. Did previous experience with theory help them to embrace the changes? It's hard to say, but it could easily be argued that lack of exposure to established practice would help a conductor to embrace the changes to that practice. So maybe no theory is better...!!! (Unless you prefer to have your musical chronometer stuck in one spot, which, unfortunately, is most music patrons).
Where theory REALLY helps is in composing. I spend more time writing music than playing/conducting music and I rely on theory to a much larger extent when writing than I do when playing. But, again, I use it as a crutch, not really as a creative tool. Maybe I need to get a film cue done ASAP but I'm having trouble with the ending - well, I can just throw together a few bars to define an unambiguous tonic then throw together some form of a cadence and it's good to go. Not the most creative approach, but it does get the job done in a situation where there's limited time.
That's part of the craft of composing; creativity comes in defying established craft (i.e. music theory), and that's what all artists strive for.
rgames
______________________________
Richard G. Ames
Composer - Arranger - Producer
www.rgamesmusic.com
____________________________
Richard G. Ames
Composer - Arranger - Producer
www.rgamesmusic.com
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The Clarinet BBoard
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