What if music theory is holding you back?
Hey music maker’s,
So it started innocently.
Just one more theory video. One more chord breakdown. One more concept to “master” before I finally write something.
Three months later, I hadn’t finished a single track.
But I could explain the tritone sub inside-out.
If this sounds familiar, this week’s deep dive is for you—because theory isn’t the problem. The way we use it is.
1. You Treat Theory Like a Prerequisite
You think you need to "learn it all" before you create. This is like saying you need to understand aerodynamics before you can throw a ball.
Fix: Create first. Learn in response to what your music needs.
What I love about this approach is how much more efficiently you absorb theory when it's solving an immediate problem in your music.
2. You Memorize Rules Instead of Making Music
You collect information but never develop intuition. Your theory knowledge exists in a vacuum.
Fix: Apply theory right away to your songs. Don't just study—use it.
Start here: Decode this loop → Dmin – Bb – F – C (from 21 Gunsby Green Day) Don't just label them as "minor this" or "major that" — ask yourself: What feeling does each change create? How does the Dmin→Bb transition differ emotionally from the F→C?
Then and this is most important…create a new idea with this progression.
That's using theory, not just memorizing it.
3. You Fear Being Wrong
You avoid starting because you don't want to make a mistake. You're paralyzed by the possibility of creating something "incorrect."
Fix: Break the rules on purpose. That's how you learn what works.
Next time you write, try consciously breaking a "rule" you've learned. Use a chord that doesn't belong in the key. Put a dominant chord where it "shouldn't" go. The worst that happens? You learn something to avoid. The best? You discover your signature sound.
4. You Study in Isolation
You're not connecting theory to real songs. It's all abstract concepts without concrete examples.
Fix: Reverse-engineer music you love. See how theory fits into that.
Try this one: Bb – Ab6 – Gb – Db (Legend of Zelda main theme)
Convert it to numbers using either the roman numeral or nashville number system. This will help you see the relationship between the chords and the key it’s in. But don't just analyze it on paper—play it, then try to recreate it without looking. Your ears will start connecting theory knowledge with actual sounds, bridging that isolation gap between concepts and music.
5. You Binge and Burn Out
You try to learn everything fast and end up overwhelmed. That chord theory book gathers dust after chapter three.
Fix: Pick one small concept. Use it. Repeat it. Then move on.
Example: Focus on just one thing in this loop → Fmin – Ab – Eb – Bb Instead of analyzing everything at once, just track how the bass movement creates momentum. Next time, focus only on the quality shifts (minor → major → major → major). Small, manageable focus points prevent burnout and build lasting knowledge.
6. You Wait for a Team
You believe a producer or mentor will save your project or music goals. So you delay starting until you find the "right people."
Fix: Build systems now. A clear plan makes teamwork even possible.
No one wants to join a directionless project.
7. You Mistake Motion for Progress
Reading books feels productive—but you're not making music. You're preparing to prepare to get ready to maybe start.
Fix: Swap some study time for creation time. Do, don't just learn.
Even 15 minutes of actual music-making is better than hours of passive learning.
8. You Avoid the Feedback Loop
No output = no feedback = no growth. You can't improve what you haven't made.
Fix: Share your ideas. Reflect. Adjust. Repeat.
Understanding these relationships doesn't limit your creativity—it expands it.
9. You Expect Mastery Before Movement
You're waiting to "fully understand" before trying anything.
Fix: Use what you do know. Creation sharpens clarity.
10. You Forgot Why You Started
It's become about doing it right—not about doing it at all. The joy has been sucked out by perfectionism.
Fix: Reconnect with curiosity. Let play lead again.
Try this: Set a timer for 20 minutes. Make music with absolutely no theory constraints. Don't think about keys, chord functions, or "correct" voice leading.
Just play what sounds good to your ears.
Rediscover what drew you to music before you knew what a Neapolitan sixth was. That freedom is where your unique voice lives.
The Bottom Line
Music theory isn't the enemy. Avoiding action is.
Start messy.
Build your system.
Let music guide the learning.
🎯 Challenge for the Week
Pick one of the progressions above.
• Decode it.
• Loop it.
• Write something with it.
You're not waiting anymore.
✉️ That's a wrap
I'd love to hear which of these traps you've fallen into.
Shoot me a message mel@melvindarrell.com and tell me which one resonated most—I read every response and find these conversations about creative blocks genuinely fascinating.
