The complexity that exists when learning music theory formally is abundant. When a child learns how to play a note on the piano or on any instrument, they are taught to hear that specific sound and to associate it with a note name, such as F. Yet when learning music theory from a college student’s perspective, the idea behind “what is a note” and “what is a sharp”, are all asked. The importance behind such ideas are important to be formally addressed, but is it entirely necessary to be taught in order to understand music theory? At the end of the day, a child who has been playing the piano for half a year, can most likely tell an introductory music theory student what simple concepts are, such as what is a half note is, or what is a sharp. The way they express it might not be formal or coherent, but they still able to understand what these relatively simple concepts. It’s important to note that an understanding of music theory is not necessary in order to create music as well. For example, those who have been considered “musical legends” such as John Lennon, did not know how to read music until he was well into his career as a well-established musician. Thus, the idea that music theory is a necessity and must be as complex as it is in order to create music is incorrect, and albeit most likely unnecessary in a fair amount of cases.
Comments
Suggestion
The sentence "For example, those who have been considered “musical legends” such as John Lennon, did not know how to read music until he was well into his career as a well-established musician." is not worded correctly. It would be better to say, "For example, those who have been considered "musical legends" such as John Legend, did not know how to read music until they had a career as well-established musician." Since you're talking about music legends as a whole.
Comment
"The importance behind such ideas are important to be formally addressed, but is it entirely necessary to be taught in order to understand music theory?" To answer this question, it certainly depends on what a student is trying to accomplish. Music theory is not necessarily crucial to a performer, nor someone who writes music. Similarly, it is not crucial to someone who becomes a physical therapist to know the outcome a Friedal Craft alkylation in organic chemistry, but students who go into the field are met with this requirement. The purpose of such courses are to develop a higher level of critical thinking and problem solving skills that are useful in all aspects of their work. Perhaps, this writing could be backed by research or experiments for the sake of a scientific writing course.