Spicing Up the Repertoire

I am the type of person who loved music theory classes. I know, I know, most people out there did theory because it was required. It wasn't always fun for most folks, but I loved it! Well, I loved most of it. I enjoyed that most of the theory classes had rules that you could figure out and then use to figure out all of the patterns. Music theory homework were great mind puzzles for me! So, I think about music theory quite often.

Since this is something that I like and something that I think about, I find that my music often becomes a bit bland. I get into theory ruts just like I get into therapeutic music experience ruts. It happens - all my songs start to sound the same - everything is based on a 12-bar blues pattern. When this starts to happen, I try to figure out ways to break out of the rut and get back into other things...other patterns...other chord progressions...other theoretical formats...you get the picture.

A music therapy colleague once stated that a particular song that she wrote was written in the mode that she used because it was an assignment. She included it in a collection of songs because she had written it, but the original spur for the song in the mixolydian mode was that assignment.

I liked that. So, I use that sort of thought process when I find myself in a rut of musical format. I give myself assignments to help me remember all that information that I enjoyed in theory and that is available to me and to my clients with just a little bit of work on my end.

When everything is presented with the same three chords, music can become VERY boring. It becomes just a bit easier to tune out the music. An unexpected chord or key or mode can perk up bored ears and can help pull attention back to the therapeutic process. So, use that theory knowledge that you have! Break out of the rut!! Try something with a lydian mode!!!

Let's do this!