Does Music Actually Have Rules?

Music theory is often thought of as a list of rules that govern music: Parallel 5ths are illegal; You can't double the leading tone; dominant must go to tonic. But is that really true? Are there actually any rules in music theory?

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Hey, I'm Jesse, a composer and music theorist. I believe that Music Theory is a practical and valuable artform for all musicians throughout their lifetime. On this channel, I am making videos to help all musicians grow in their understanding of music theory and how it can make them a better musician.

[twominutemusictheory]

It’s the first video of 2022! I’ve got a lot of great stuff planned for the months ahead. Let me know below what videos you’d like to see this year.

[BeatsByGemsmiff]

One of the best speech i’ve heard about music theory

[lukehasha]

The point about maps facing north was a great example of convention. In The Hobbit, Tolkien made his dwarven map oriented with east facing up. This served to both make it feel other worldly and fantastical as well as thoroughly confuse 5th grade me. It's just another example of how breaking convention can be an effective means of storytelling.

[FernieCanto]

This is a super important video! And I admit, I'm GLAD someone made a point that notes don't "want" anything. That infuriates me.
As for using a shrieking goat in a song, I'm sure Hermeto Pascoal would love to do that.

[danbromberg]

Well said but wondering how two or more musicians communicate while jamming is what drew me into theory. G-d bless the Circle of Fifths 🙂

[cyberdisco]

Been putting off learning music theory until today. Have been searching for different resources and this video definitely won me over! Look forward to going through your posts

[maxrgo]

What a great video. This deserves a ton of views and I for sure will share it with all my musician friends.

This explanations can pretty much be applied to every human concept or human made, there are real limitions and physical rules, but there's a point where concepts come out of human perception and people think it's a rule made by the gods.

Great video.

[Ilovetosingem]

Hi Jesse. I don't normally listen to the introduction videos but I'm glad I did on this one. Straight to the point. I'll be looking at some more. Thanks again and stay safe you and yours. Singem.

[sorrychangedmyusername]

In short no but yes. Rules in music is usually used as a learning aid for composers within a certain style usually these rules come up from music trends and the history of it.

For beginners, having absolute freedom will get you confused onto where to start. Best to experiment and having fun with it.

[Anopano]

My favourite classical rule breaking is Tchaikovski's 1812 Overture. Nothing says "Eff the rules" quite like military ordinance as an instrument (also, it's brilliant because it works thematically)

[pleiadi]

Counterpoint rules actually are not subjective at all, some of them could be subjective, but most of them are mandatory if your goal is to get two or more independent melodic lines. I suggest you to read David Huron books. Sorry for my bad english but i’m not a native english speaker.

[christophermcdonald]

I think a distinction should be made between counterpoint exercises and free counterpoint. Counterpoint rules govern exercises because exercises don't provide opportunity to develop individual voices through repetition, for example, given their limited length. Free counterpoint and composition allows composers to develop voices over time and recontextualization. It isn't as if Bach broke rules of counterpoint, he simply new the difference between exercise and composition.

[Sanhos]

Just found your 2min theory. Thank you, great content

[Angel-cdo]

May I recommend a book that discusses this issue brilliantly?
Voice Leading, the science behind a musical art by David Huron The MIT Press

[dennisrudin]

On the point of banjos in rock music: Jethro Tull is a rock band with a LEAD transversal flute played in a somewhat unconventional way. 🤟😎👍

[PlakbandArmband]

I think most rules in the arts are enforced to try to realize some ideal state as envisioned by the rule makers. If you don’t share those ideals, then the rule is absolutely meaningless to you. For your artistry it should ideally be as if that rule never existed at all. But that’s just my ideal

[RobErt-vfxm]

Yeah minor can be sad but i just prefer it in general. Often it's not sad it depends on various factors. Think of *minor swing* by Django Reinhardt.

[feltcute_mightdelete]

You have inspired me to write a piece with a shrieking goat