Musical Theory Debate

[Euclid Ov Oåklånd]

Knowledge is always empowering for people, but not needed to create. I've seen people use my sampler with no prior experience and bang out a dope rhythm that has taken me a long time to get correct. Peoples freedom lies in their ability to create and it comes from the soul where education of our physical dimension has no meaning or relevance. In some ways education is a reinforcement of possibly(actually often) incorrect or outdated ideas which can inhibit the transmission of pure art.

[pootietang]

I think some people see music education as like chains but for some people learning in a structured waycan free them.
Like I know Salvador Dali was a classically trained master like a renaissance still life painter but then he used that knowledge to crate all his crazy surrealist stuff

[fresh-produce]

No one "invented" music theory. It is just a way to describe sounds that already exist with our without names.

Speaking the language helps when communicating with other musicians. Especially with those who's chosen genre's are far from our own.

[El Bobby]

Music theory doesn't hurt but it's not necessary.To be a dope hiphop producer,it's a different skill set.I have this great book by Sa'id(beattips manual) and he states that some trained musicians fail miserably at sampling.Personally,I think that a good ear and knowledge of records goes much farther.
I met a girl who studied music and I told her that I play by ear and she told me that's a great way to create.

[dollarllama d]

like ras g said how does the beat feel. your'e not sitting in the club saying it's not in key. lol but at the end of the day it's how the music feels no matter what u knowledge u have. i don't know chord progressions technically, but i wish to learn at some point. it's like if u know the rules u can know how to bend the rules. but there's ppl who know music theory who make incredible music that u can feel, and also some who make some bland and mechanical shit. when making remixes or blending tracks u need to know whats in key or play it by ear and get lucky like i do. lol if u can learn something new and add to arsenal it's not bad. but you'll be fine going of instinct as well.

[SUPER DYNAMITE NINJA]

NINJAS ONLY NEED NINJA MAGIC.

[Devoye]

I feel that listening to plenty of music that you love gives you an ear on what sounds good. Theory is important yes, but an ear is the root. Knowing the theory behind it is without question much better than not. Any MPC heads? Think of 16 level note variation. If you Know some theory you can apply it to whatever sample you split up into 16 chromatic steps and essentially play a melody from the different notes.