Does knowledge of music theory ever help further actual musicianship?

Absolutely! Knowledge of music theory can make a huge difference in playing and overall musicianship.

Music theory isn't just about memorizing scales or knowing fancy terms; it's like having a map that shows how different sounds connect and why certain notes work better together. For example, when writing a solo, knowing which scale fits the chord progression helps create something melodic rather than just guessing and hoping it sounds right.

It also makes jamming way easier. If someone in the band starts playing a progression in, say, E minor, recognizing what scales or modes will work best becomes much simpler without trial and error. Theory helps musicians communicate better with each other too. Instead of saying "that part where it sounds kinda sad," saying "let's switch to the relative minor" or "try adding a diminished chord there" is far clearer.

That said, theory shouldn’t replace feel or creativity. Some amazing musicians barely know theory but have incredible instincts. The key is balance — understanding the "rules" so they can be broken in interesting ways.

Learning theory unlocks new ideas and provides the tools to push playing further. For anyone serious about improving as a musician, investing some time in it is highly recommended! I recommend the Music Theory Companion app which helped me a lot learning the theories. You too can check it out in Google Play Store.

How different would songs sound if they were written in the opposite key?

If songs were rewritten using negative harmony as their "opposite key," they would sound significantly different but still retain some structural familiarity. Negative harmony, a concept popularized by Ernst Levy and later explored by musicians like Jacob Collier, involves inverting the harmonic relationships around a central axis (often the tonic).

How It Would Change the Sound:

• Chord Inversions & Reinterpretation – Major chords would transform into minor chords and vice versa, but not in a simple direct swap. Instead, each note moves symmetrically around the tonal center. Example: In C major, a G (V) chord (G-B-D) might turn into a D♭ (♭II) chord (D♭-F♭-A♭).
• Emotional Shift – Songs that originally sounded bright and uplifting could take on a darker, more mysterious, or melancholic tone. Conversely, sad songs might gain an unexpected brightness.
• Melodic Transformation – The melody itself would shift, as each note in the scale is mapped to its opposite around the tonal center. This can create an eerie familiarity, as if the song exists in a "mirror dimension."
• Unusual Resolutions – Cadences and harmonic resolutions would behave differently, leading to progressions that sound less conventional but still retain internal logic.

Examples:

• If you applied negative harmony to "Let It Be" (C major), its major sound would morph into something more solemn and reflective, perhaps in G minor or D♭ major with unexpected harmonic twists.
• A dark song like "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails in A minor might sound unexpectedly uplifting in its negative harmony counterpart.

Tools to find Negative Harmony:

You can use the Negative Harmony tool available in the Music Theory Companion mobile app for figuring out Negative Harmony of every chord and notes for any Key.

The screenshot above taken from the Music Theory Companion app that shows Negative Harmony notes and chords for the C Major scale.

Conclusion:

Songs rewritten in negative harmony wouldn't just be "major becomes minor" but rather a full harmonic inversion that feels both alien and oddly recognizable. The emotional core of the song would shift, often in an uncanny, dreamlike way.

What chords and notes go together?

When composing, improvising, or simply playing music, knowing which notes fit well with chords is essential. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, understanding the relationship between chords and notes will help you create beautiful harmonies and melodies. In this tutorial, we'll explore how to match chords with the right notes, scales, and even create tension and resolution effectively.

1. Understanding Chords and Their Notes

A chord is a group of notes played together, typically built from a root note, a third, and a fifth. The simplest way to match a note to a chord is by playing one of the chord tones (notes that make up the chord).

Common Chords and Their Notes

Chord → Notes (Chord Tones)

C Major → C - E - G

A Minor → A - C - E

G7 (Dominant 7th) → G - B - D - F

D Minor → D - F - A

B Diminished → B - D - F

C Augmented → C - E - G#

If you're playing a melody over a chord, using these chord tones will ensure your melody sounds harmonious and blends well.

2. Matching Chords with Scales

To expand beyond just chord tones, you can use scales that correspond to each chord. This is useful when playing a solo, improvising, or composing.

Chord → Best Matching Scale

C Major (C-E-G) → C Major Scale (C D E F G A B)

A Minor (A-C-E) → A Natural Minor (A B C D E F G)

G7 (G-B-D-F) → G Mixolydian (G A B C D E F)

D Minor (D-F-A) → D Dorian (D E F G A B C)

B Diminished (B-D-F) → B Locrian (B C D E F G A)

C Augmented (C-E-G#) → C Whole-Tone Scale (C D E F# G# A#)

By using these scales, you can add more expressive and flowing melodies to your chord progressions.

Following screenshot from the Music Theory Companion app shows how combining the scale note and different harmonies forms the diatonic chords for the Harmonic Minor scale.

3. Using Tension and Resolution in Music

To make music sound dynamic and interesting, you can create tension and then resolve it.

How to Add Tension:

Play non-chord tones (notes not in the chord) to add dissonance.

Use suspended chords (e.g., Csus4: C-F-G) before resolving back to a regular major or minor chord.

Add dominant 7th chords (e.g., G7: G-B-D-F) before resolving to the tonic (C major).

How to Resolve Tension:

Move dissonant notes back to chord tones.

Follow a dominant-to-tonic progression (e.g., G7 → C major).

Use a diminished chord (e.g., B°: B-D-F) before resolving up a half step to a stable chord.

4. Expanding Chords with Extensions & Colors

Beyond basic triads, you can use extensions and colorful tones to enhance your harmony.

Chord Type → Example Chord → Additional Notes for Color

Major 7th → Cmaj7 (C-E-G-B) → Add D or A for a richer sound

Minor 7th → Am7 (A-C-E-G) → Add B or F for jazzier progressions

Dominant 9th → G9 (G-B-D-F-A) → Great for blues & jazz

Using these extended chords makes your music sound more sophisticated and harmonically rich.

5. Practical Tips for Matching Notes with Chords

✅ Use chord tones (root, third, fifth) for safe harmony.

✅ Use scale tones from the key for melody and improvisation.

✅ Use passing notes for smooth transitions between chord tones.

✅ Use tension notes carefully to create movement and drama.

✅ Try extensions & colors to add depth to your chords.

6. Conclusion 🎵

Matching chords with the right notes and scales is an essential skill for any musician. Whether you're playing chords, improvising a melody, or composing a song, understanding harmony will help you create music that sounds great and feels natural.

Now it's your turn! Try experimenting with different scales, tensions, and resolutions in your music. Let us know what works best for you in the comments below! 😊🎶 You can use the Music Theory Companion app for applying these types of concepts on other scales you want to use in your compositions.

Do most musicians know music theory?

As a lead guitarist in our band Crazy Waves and a mobile app developer specializing in music-related tools, I have observed that while many musicians have a basic understanding of music theory, a significant number do not fully grasp its deeper concepts. The extent of music theory knowledge among musicians varies widely, depending on their background, training, and musical goals.

Some musicians, especially those with formal training, have a strong command of music theory, as it is an integral part of structured education in conservatories and music schools. They study notation, harmony, chord progressions, scales, key signatures, and composition techniques, enabling them to analyze and create music with precision. Classical musicians, for instance, often rely heavily on music theory, as their performances are guided by written scores.

On the other hand, many self-taught musicians and performers who play by ear may have little to no formal training in music theory. They develop their skills through practice, intuition, and experience rather than theoretical knowledge. While this approach can be highly effective for performance, it sometimes limits their ability to communicate ideas with other musicians, compose complex pieces, or understand advanced harmonic structures.

In contemporary music, especially in genres like rock, pop, jazz, and electronic music, some musicians prioritize creativity and improvisation over theoretical understanding. However, even in these genres, a good grasp of music theory can be incredibly beneficial. Knowledge of scales, chords, and progressions allows musicians to expand their creativity, compose more effectively, and collaborate more efficiently.

For those looking to enhance their music theory knowledge, tools like the Music Theory Companion Android app can be highly useful. This app provides various interactive features to help musicians, students, and composers explore music theory concepts in a practical and engaging way. It includes essential tools such as a Chord Library, Circle of Fifths, Scales and Diatonic Chords, and Modulation Calculators to assist users in understanding and applying music theory in real-world scenarios. The Composer Tool helps in building Chord Progressions, and the Metronome ensures rhythm accuracy, making it a comprehensive resource for learning and practice.

Ultimately, while not all musicians have extensive knowledge of music theory, those who take the time to learn it gain a deeper appreciation of music and greater control over their creativity. Whether a beginner or an advanced musician, leveraging resources like Music Theory Companion can make the learning process easier and more effective.

Stage Metronome FAQ

Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about how to use the Stage Metronome app majorly focusing on song and setlist management.

General

Q1: What Are Different Tabs/Pages in this App For?

There are five tab pages in the app for different purposes which is briefly described here.

1. New/Edit: Creating new songs and editing existing songs can be done from this page.
2. Full Screen: Displays big beat number and beat lights which are useful during LIVE performance.
3. Set-List: To create new setlist and to add existing songs into any setlist are done from here.
4. Settings: Different app settings can be configured from this page.
5. VIP Membership: This screen allows you to manage and purchase VIP membership.

Q2: How to Set Beat Sounds?

Beat sounds are global property and the selected sound applies to all the songs. Different sounds for different songs is not possible. To change the sound do the following.

1. Go to the Edit/Create page
2. Start playing current song
3. Press the < or > buttons below the large beat number to select the preferred sound

Q3: How to Change Beat Lights Behavior?

Now three different types of beat light patterns are supported in the app, that can be configured according to your taste in Settings screen (Settings → Beat Light Pattern).

Q4: How to Adjust Delay Between Beat Sound And Beat Light?

There can be some delay between the played beat sound and the beat number displayed. This is due to the audio latency in android devices and the delay is not the same for all devices. If you experience any out of sync between the audio and the visuals, do the following.

1. Go to the Edit/Create page
2. Start playing any song
3. Press on the sync button present at the left-top of the large bear number, the Sync Delay Adjust dialog opens. Do the following in that dialog
1. Adjust the two sliders to set the delay value (in milli-second) such that there is no out of sync
2. Press outside the dialog to come out from it

Song Management

Q1: How to Create a New Song?

1. Go to the Edit/Create page
2. Press the + button at the top (portrait mode) / top at the right-half (landscape mode). A new song gets created with the settings of the last selected song and a default song name. This new song is added in the current Setlist. New song is always added to the All Songs setlist by default
3. Select desired Meter from the left-hand side buttons
4. Select desired Beat Pattern from the right-hand side buttons
5. Set desired tempo by sliding the tempo slider
6. Set the desired beats as accent by tapping on the desired beat-lights (lights turned blue are accent)
7. Press the save button. The Save Song dialog opens. Do the following in that dialog
1. Provide a song name of your choice or keep the default song name
2. Press the SAVE button

Q2: How to Edit Parameter(s) of an Existing Song?

1. Go to the Edit/Create page
2. Navigate to the song that you want to edit by pressing the < and > buttons
3. Select desired Meter from the left-hand side buttons if change is needed
4. Select desired Beat Pattern from the right-hand side buttons if change is needed
5. Set desired tempo by sliding the tempo slider if change is needed
6. Set the desired beats as accent by tapping on the desired beat-lights (lights turned blue are accent) if change is needed
7. Press the save button, the Save Song dialog opens. Do the following in that dialog
1. Provide a different song name if needed
2. Press the SAVE button

Q3: How to Rename an Existing Song?

1. Go to the Edit/Create page
2. Navigate to the song that you want to rename by pressing the < and > buttons
3. Press the save button, the Rename Song dialog opens. Do the following in that dialog
1. Provide a different song name
2. Press the SAVE button

Q4: How to Delete an Existing Song?

1. Go to the Edit/Create page
2. Navigate to the song that you want to delete by pressing the < and > buttons
3. Press the delete button, the Delete Song dialog opens. Do the following in that dialog
1. Press the DELETE button

Q5: Where are Songs and Setlists Saved?

Songs and setlists are stored locally on your device, specifically within the application's cache. We do not store any user content on external servers.

Q6: What Happens to My Songs and Setlists if I Uninstall the App?

When you uninstall the app, all app data, including your songs and setlists, are permanently deleted by the Android operating system. To prevent data loss, create a backup file and save it for future restoration. (Note: The backup and restore option is available under the Settings page.)

Q6: How Can I Sync My Songs and Setlists Across Multiple Devices?

Since songs and setlists are stored locally on your device and not on an external server, they are not synced automatically across multiple devices. To transfer data, create a backup file on one device and restore it on another. (Note: Restoring a backup will replace all existing songs on the target device with the restored data.)

Set List Management

Q1: How to Create a New Setlist?

1. Go to the Set List page
2. Press the new button present in the Set List box, the Create New Set List dialog opens. Do the following in that dialog
1. Provide a setlist name (or use the default name provided in the dialog)
2. Press the CREATE button

Q2: How to Rename an Existing Setlist?

1. Go to the Set List page
2. From the drop-down select the setlist that you want to rename
3. Press the save button present in the Set List box, the Rename Set List dialog opens. Do the following in that dialog
1. Provide the desired setlist name
2. Press the RENAME button

Q3: How to Delete an Existing Setlist?

1. Go to the Set List page
2. From the drop-down select the setlist that you want to delete
3. Press the delete button present in the Set List box, the Delete dialog opens. Do the following in that dialog
1. Press the DELETE button

Q4: How to Add a New Songs to Any Setlist?

1. Go to the Set List page
2. From the drop-down select the setlist where you want to add a new song
3. Now follow the steps for How to Create a New Song

Q5: How to Add Existing Songs to Any Setlist?

1. Go to the Set List page
2. From the drop-down select the setlist where you want to add existing songs
3. Press the + button, the Add Songs to Set List dialog opens. Do the following in that dialog
1. Select one or more songs from the list that you want to add in the setlist
2. Press the ADD button

Q6: How to Delete Songs from Any Setlist?

Approach 1

1. Go to the Set List page
2. From the drop-down select the setlist from where you want to delete song(s)
3. Press the delete button under Songs in Set List section, the Delete Song dialog opens. Do the following in that dialog
1. Press the DELETE button
4. Repeat step 3 for every song that you want to delete

Approach 2

1. Go to the Set List page
2. From the drop-down select the setlist from where you want to delete song(s)
3. Go to the Edit/Create page
4. Navigate to the song that you want to delete by pressing the < and > buttons
5. Press the delete button, the Delete Song dialog opens. Do the following in that dialog
1. Press the DELETE button
6. Repeat step 4 & 5 for every song that you want to delete

Q7: How to Reorder Songs in Any Setlist?

1. Go to the Set List page
2. From the drop-down select the setlist where you want rearrange song(s)
3. Long press on any song (or simply press on the right-hand side six dots) and move the song to the desired position
4. Repeat step 3 for every song you want to change it's order

Q8: How to Play Songs of Any Setlist?

1. Go to the Set List page
2. From the drop-down select the setlist you want to play the songs
3. Tap on the song that you want to start playing
4. For playing songs of the setlist one after another there are two approaches
1. Approach 1
1. Go to the Edit/Create page
2. Press the Start or Sync button to play the selected song
3. press the > or < buttons to navigate to the next/previous songs
2. Approach 2
1. Go to the Full Screen page
2. Press the Start button or tap on the beat number to play the selected song
3. press the > or < buttons to navigate to the next/previous songs

Help us improve by sharing your feedback on the FAQ! Let us know if the answers were helpful, if any require more clarification, or if you have a question that isn’t covered here. Your input helps us enhance your experience.

What is the best way to learn music theory on your own?

Music theory is a vast topic. Wikipedia is the best place to learn music theory as per my experience. Having someone who can help in guiding you on what to learn next will be a better option in case you are starting new. I started going through Wikipedia and finding it very interesting. Most of the things are mathematics what I feel. As there are lots of scale and all the scales can be played in 12 different keys, things starts to become more complex. I have been using an Android app called Music Companion during the course of my learning and that is helping me a lot in understanding Scales, what chords to play in each scale, Circle of Fifths for each scale etc. It also has a built in metronome with very nice timing and chords can be played along with Metronome beat as accompaniment. You too can try it.

The app is available here: Music Companion - Apps on Google Play

What are the best android apps for learning and understanding music theory?

Music theory is a vast topic which evolved through long period of time and still evolving. There are different varieties of musics practiced throughout the world and that makes the things more complex. Though the theory is complex yet there are many commonalities between them and that helps understanding the theory easily. Wikipedia is a good source of information.

I have found an Android app called Music Companion which helped me a lot in understanding different Scales, Chords to be played in any Scale, formation of Chords, Circle of Fifth(/Fourth) for all the scales etc. It also has a built in Metronome with very good timing and chords can be played along with the Metronome beats.

The app can be found here: Music Companion - Apps on Google Play

Hope this will help other music enthusiasts as well.

What music theory should I learn if I want to know what chords go together on the guitar?

You should learn about Scales, Chords that can be played on different notes of the scale, alternate chords, Circle of fifth etc.

You can use Music Companion - Apps on Google Play Android app that can help you in all these.