Comments for Ryan Youens

Comment on Music theory, do we need it or not? by Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:44:00 +0000

I think the point where you realise you need to understand more about theory is when you have an idea that you can’t play yourself either – because you don’t play the instrument or don’t have the expertise on your own instrument – and attempt to share it with someone else.

Comment on Music theory, do we need it or not? by ryanyouens

ryanyouens — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:36:00 +0000

And there are far too many students like that!!

Comment on Music theory, do we need it or not? by Mike Crowl

Mike Crowl — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:08:00 +0000

I agree entirely….the kids who play superbly on their instruments but don’t have some theory are missing out on ways in which they could create music way beyond what they already know. And there’s nothing more frustrating when you’re trying to write something down than not being able to figure out how demisemiquavers fit to the beat or how to work out 5 in the time of 4 and all those other tricky little things. On the other hand being able to create directly on your instrument and remember what you’ve done is a bonus too!

Comment on Music theory, do we need it or not? by ryanyouens

ryanyouens — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:24:00 +0000

Thanks for your comment. Great website you have by the way, heaps of good reading.nnOf course everything that we learn about music is music theory. I separated these in the hope to show that you can play and write (especially these days with wondrous software) amazing music without good knowledge in music theory.nnI will reword a sentence in the post, as what I was trying to say was not that you don’t need music theory to be a great musician, but rather there are great musicians who are lacking great knowledge in music theory. Now, if they are reading notes off a page they must have a fair amount of knowledge to put one note after the other, but there is so much more to know than that.

Comment on Music theory, do we need it or not? by Bob Reno

Bob Reno — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:19:00 +0000

I appreciate your thoughts, but like so many others, you insist on separating music theory from music. Music theory is understanding music better. No matter how good of a musician you are, learning music theory (or as you say, “being an absolute wizard of music theory”) will make you a better musician. I’ve taught music theory for 30 years to thousands of students. Not one student who has passed music theory is not a better musician.

Comment on Digital music stands, hook me up – Music Pad, Music Reader, eStand by ryanyouens

ryanyouens — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:52:05 +0000

Exciting news, great. Do let me know, I'd be very interested. Sounds like you're doing some enjoyable work Matthew, I'll check you out on iTunes. Keep in touch.

Comment on Digital music stands, hook me up – Music Pad, Music Reader, eStand by Matthew Zimmer

Matthew Zimmer — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:02:34 +0000

Hi Ryan, I'm in music from the standpoint that I love to compose and record original instrumental music under the name “Kevan Kalos” ( on iTunes). Thanks for adding the videos. As far as what I do, I'm “semi-retired” and mostly help out friends who have small businesses with their websites. I know the samepage folks and they tell me some dramatic things are coming in the way of software for planning music programs and displaying songs. I'll send you a note when I know more (and when they allow me share.)

Comment on iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad apps for the music professional by ryanyouens

ryanyouens — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:31:49 +0000

Yes, you'd think so.