Music Theory

Why to learn Music Theory

Functional harmony (western music theory) was constructed empirically, by recognizing the patterns that everyone gravitated towards and capturing those in a descriptive semantics.

When you compose having a background in music theory, you possess the tools to compose "with intent." The theory essentially describes patterns of tension and release, and patterns of consonance/dissonance. Music theory is not there to make it "sound nice," it's there to provide you with a tool to achieve specific intent.

What theory does is provide a set of tested solutions to common problems. If, in a piece written in common practice tonality, you find yourself at V/vi needing to get back to I, chances are good that your theory courses have taught you some very serviceable progressions to use to do so.

Musicians see theory as a panacea, a kind of "silver bullet" to slay the complexity encountered when composing music. If you are interested in drawing out the implications of your musical ideas, and doing so in a language that is intelligible, you will frequently find yourself feeling your way forward, and these all-encompassing theoretical frameworks become, at best, guidance, and, at worst, detriments.

You can use theory to form a framework which underpins your composition. The framework provides a basic structure that guides the composition, but the details of the composition distinguish it from other compositions, even those that use the same framework.

This is a good place to learn Music Theory in general, for all instruments. Reddit has a good Music Theory discussion too.

This Is the best way to start or brush up on your music theory via videos.