5 Ways Learning Music Theory Can Make You a Better Singer

5 Ways Learning Music Theory Can Make You a Better Singer Suzy S. Do you love to sing? Well take a wild guess and say it wasnt chord progressions and minor scales that caught your interest. But did you know reading music and understanding the theory behind it can actually help you as you learn how to sing? Find out more in this guest post by  St. Augustine, FL voice teacher  Heather L. Music theory may not be the most glamorous part of being a singer after all, no ones analyzing Brahmss first symphony at that summer music festival in town, and that new Meghan Trainor song doesnt discuss inversions and triads. But you know what? A lot of the best vocalists have theory fundamentals down pat. Heres a list of the best reasons why music theory can help you as you learn how to sing. Versatility First, understanding music theory can make you a more versatile singer. Its one thing not to know any music theory and sing simple songs, like This Land Is Your Land, but its another thing not to know any and then to learn My Funny Valentine, or Lovin You, or a Mozart aria! In other words, learning jazz, classical, and other genres requires some knowledge of music theory.  Without it, we musicians wouldnt be able to understand the symbols and the terms that are in the actual music. What does piano or sforzando mean? What does that funny-looking symbol mean? What does D.S. al coda mean? How do I count this measure? Music theory teaches us all of this! Learning Music For those who have no or limited music theory knowledge, learning how to read music is certainly not impossible, but its certainly not fast or efficient. I see the difference in my students every day. Music theory isnt just a mundane chore or a rite of passage every musician has to get through. Think of music theory as a set of tools explanations, vocabulary, ideas that make you a better, and faster, music learner. Being able to see immediately that that particular passage is really just an F minor scale, and not just a bunch of individual notes, can cut your learning time in half. Auditions and Competitions Many vocal auditions, competitions, and scholarship opportunities are based, at least partly, on a music theory exam or assessment. I once lost an annual college scholarship only because another applicant beat my music theory test score. If I had only taken the music theory course offered at my public high school and studied even just the basics, then I wouldve gotten a huge help once I went to East Carolina University. Learning music theory opens up opportunities for you as a music student, competitor, and as a college student, because it prepares you for music theory placement tests. Better Songwriting Recently I was working on a song that Im writing for my band. The theory knowledge that I have was the only thing that enabled me to write my ideas down on staff paper. Now that I think of it, if I didnt know how to write the notes and chords of my songs down, then I dont really know what I would do. Well, I could record it and then have my band try to figure it out by ear. I could play it and have someone else transcribe it, but its tough to find anyone who can do that, and theyll usually charge by the hour or by the piece of music. Knowing your music theory means that you have a better understanding of how music is constructed, so youll be a more confident songwriter. Learning music theory paves the way for your potential career as a songwriter, arranger, or composer. And besides, youll be better able to write songs that fit your range! Easier Communication You might have your heart set on being a solo singer, only ever performing alone. But even solo artists have to work with other musicians. The best solo singers in the world still have to work with orchestras and conductors, bands, and other talent. Its essential to learn the very unique language of music in order to be able to communicate your ideas, your challenges, even just to talk about whats going on in measure 22! Music theory is the key to learning how to speak music. Can you imagine being in a recording studio and understanding none of what the producer or the engineer is saying?  Music theory allows us to talk about music that were studying or performing, because its like our vocabulary! To Recap: Singers are jokingly known for being the most clueless musicians when it comes to music theory. But we can change that perception! There are a dozen more reasons why singers need to learn music theory, and luckily, there are dozens of books for self-study, and even better, hundreds of music theory tutors online at TakeLessons.com  who will be thrilled to help you learn today! Heather L. teaches singing, piano, acting, and more in St. Augustine, FL, as well as through online lessons. She is  a graduate of the prestigious Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and has performed with the New York and Royal Philharmonics, the New Jersey and Virginia Symphonies, the American Boy Choir, and the internationally renowned opera star Andrea Bocelli. Learn more about Heather here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  Fatihah Y