mukund shyam

When it comes to learning new things, most people want to learn more and more about that specific topic (especially if you're really interested in that topic). What I've noticed is that how you approach that topic or that process (especially with "creative" things like filmmaking and music) changes the more you learn about something.

For this blog post, I'll take the example of music; mostly because it fits into my analogy really well.

LEVEL 1

Lets first talk about making music when you know nothing about music theory.

When you usually make music at this stage, you just tend to put down stuff that you think sounds good. You usually choose sounds that sound good to you personally, and you decide on rhythm and things based on what personally sounds good. It may not align with formal music theory or anything, but it sounds good to you so you use it.

When you make melodies here, you don't really think about the key or the chord progression or other stuff that you may usually end up thinking of while making melodies.

At this stage, music is usually super experimental; and it is not limited by music theory. This may also mean that the music is not that developed or finessed, this music is usually quite raw.

LEVEL 2

Now, let's talk about making music when you have a decent understanding of music theory.

When you make music at this stage, you think of not only what sounds good to you personally but also what aligns with your music theory knowledge. You might think of rhythm and chords based on what is supposed to sound good at this stage, and it usually aligns with formal music theory.

Melodies, too, are made with chord progressions, key and other such things (like harmony) in mind in addition to what just sounds good.

At this stage, the music is finessed, and most of the music made here actually sounds pretty good. But, at this stage, music theory knowledge kind of gets in the way of experimental music making.

LEVEL 3

Now then, what if you have a really thorough understanding of music theory?

Music made here tends to be, again, based on personal preference; but the difference is you understand why it works and how you can use that in other elements. You understand how to make "bad" melodies or chords sound good and you're able to use your music theory knowledge to support experimental music making.

Melodies can be extremely experimental, but unlike the first level, there a lot more melodies to choose from and you can understand how to use those melodies to the fullest.

At this stage, the music is usually really good in every way. Music theory knowledge aids experimentation here. Most successful artists have such a deep knowledge of music (mainly by making a lot of it).

If you're curious, I'm still in level 1. I really want to get to level 3 though.

To reiterate, the music theory thing was just an example. I think this is true over many places, not just in music.

Thanks for reading.