Music Theory Analysis: Dance Monkey by Tones and I (Part 1)

[@Ostsee89]

Super cool, thank you for the explanation!

[@ChakshuKotwal]

Thanks for this :) Love from India

[@netuno60]

Hi Matthias, from Brasil, thanx for this good and interesting lesson on harmony and music theory. It was very kind of you. By the way, I have to listen many times in order to understand every point you've made because there were many. Good luck to you and your family.

[@RealWorldMusicTheory]

Thanks Pedro! Glad you could find so many points to learn about harmony and music theory 😊. All the Best to You and Your family, too. Stay healthy!

[@netuno60]

@@RealWorldMusicTheory Let me say something from my experience while composing some simple music. Although I have learned some intermediate level of Music Theory and Harmony and Voice Leading, the fact is when I start to compose some new song, I start choosing the scale. Then I create some interesting chord progression (a little bit more elaborate than I -IV -V -I). Now I put it in a loop and try to figure out one or more melodies. The fact is in my search for good melodies, I use basically my ear and not theory. Then I try to find one or two more layers for harmony. So I think I use more my ears than the Theory. What do you think about this approach? Thank you in advance Matthias!

[@RealWorldMusicTheory]

Your approach is totally valid! If it works for you, continue with it. One can totally compose masterpieces without explicit knowledge of music theory. Music theory is essentially just the rationalization of the gut feeling experienced musicians have. What theory can do for you is make that process find its target quicker. You won’t have to try many things until you get to the sound you’re looking for, because with theory you can narrow your options to exactly what you need. In addition to that music theory can open up new possibilities that you might not have explored before. I have seen many musicians playing similar melodies and chords for years until they learned music theory concepts to open up a whole new sonic world. In summary: your approach is valid and works. Music theory can just make it more efficient and enhance the sonic palette you paint your compositions from.

[@netuno60]

@@RealWorldMusicTheory Thanx very much Matthias! If I would learn a bit more from theory, what would you suggest that I learned more strongly? I swear it's my final question.

[@RealWorldMusicTheory]

It’s alright, keep asking - I love to help when it comes to music 😊. I don’t know what would interest you most. But from what you said about your intuitive approach to melody, you might enjoy learning about composing melodic shapes. Keywords could be: steps and leaps, contour, motif, male/female endings, thematic development or even counter point. I have a very tiny email course on my website, which contains five simple “tricks” also on melody (www.realworldmusictheory.com/little-songwriting-tricks-5-day-email-course/). It might be too simple for you, but maybe it can inspire things.

[@Swaggarization]

Can’t wait for part 2 and 3!

[@stevemartin4249]

Hi from Japan, Matthias ... getting lots of finger-memory, guitar practice time during this economic re-set ...uh ... I mean 'pandemic'. Much thanks for the hints and guides regarding basic music theory. Live long and prosper.

[@RealWorldMusicTheory]

Thanks, Steve! Btw: I just started to learn Japanese during the last 6 weeks - slowly, but maybe someday it will be enough to actually talk 😂. Stay safe there and keep up the music 🎶