[scared2mosh]

to start i want to say that ive been taking lessons for about 5-6yrs. and while im realitivly average at performing i personally excell more at theory it just comes more naturally. especially since most of the music i practice each weak is out of lesson books (i wish i just learned from sheet music,but that is wot my teacher is going to do once i finish my current study book thingy)

im going to be in a music competition this spring and i have to everything in cluding playing theory

and i was wondering wot the rest of you prefer: theory or perfomence

[simpleone07]

well theory is the knowledge of how music works...the performance is applying it kinesthetically.

You can know all the music theory in the world, but not be able to play anything...on the same token, you can play anything by ear...but not know exactly how it all works.

I'd say both is equally important. I started actually playing though before I started learning the theory of it

[scared2mosh]

the cool thing bout theory is it makes it so you can learn most instruments a lot faster

[Decency]

Um, hmm. This is a good question. I can play most any song I hear by ear, but if you put the music in front of me, it'd take me a while to get the song. Like was mentioned, both are important. I wish I would've learned reading music first. I learned theory from school classes and from guitar and bass. Can't have theory without performance and visa versa.

[scared2mosh]

true

haha i found out that while im pretty good at piano im gunna be againts 7 yearold asian kids

[Addison]

I would definitely say I'm glad my mom forced me to take two years of theory alongside piano. Learning theory is not always fun, but I have since taught myself guitar and bass guitar and knowing the theory already really speeds things up. The wonderful thing about theory is that it applies to any instrument.

[natedawg5280]

I don't really get the question. Which do you prefer?

[A.B.]

I have a relatively good working knowledge of theory... and I do use it. But I actually play by ear, not to the point where I can duplicate Chopin by hearing it once, but I get the general melody and the basic 1-4-5 chords down.

I started piano awile back, teaching myself until I got as far as a could on my own. Then I started lessons. I never really picked up a whole lot of theory until I switched teachers, but I still didn't grasp it well...
When I started guitar lessons is when it started to sink in.

Honestly, I believe it depends on what you are doing for which one is more important. But to be a balanced musician, both are important.

[Indie Levi]

I've been playing piano since I was 4, and have picked up many instruments along the way: guitar, drums, french horn, and trumpet. I say this to show that I have a well founded opinion on the matter.
Even now, a piano performance major, I believe more than ever that the ability to skillfully perform music is more important than theory knowledge. My most fierce competition comes from non-music majors. These kids don't play by the rules, they just play. They have a better ability to feel the music, without limiting themselves with numbers and crazy terminology. I'm happy to say that I am blessed with a great ear myself, and so I also must fight my way through the rigors of theory class.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents.