{"id":7459,"date":"2022-04-20T09:15:11","date_gmt":"2022-04-20T16:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=7459"},"modified":"2022-07-07T12:57:19","modified_gmt":"2022-07-07T19:57:19","slug":"david-bennett-podcast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/david-bennett-podcast\/","title":{"rendered":"Demystifying Music Theory With David Bennett (Pianote Podcast Ep. #21)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>David Bennett\u2019s mini documentaries that explore the theory behind popular songs are binge-worthy much-watches on YouTube. If you haven\u2019t checked them out, grab some popcorn and watch <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/HmjRM3AziTY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cHow much music theory did the Beatles know?\u201d<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/NMOMPMzR6oY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cMusic That Sounds Like the Lyrics.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this episode of the Pianote Podcast, Lisa sits down with David to talk all things theory. And while that may seem like a heady topic, don\u2019t worry! David has a gift for making a subject like music analysis accessible, relevant, and exciting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>Never Miss an Interview<\/strong> \ud83c\udf99\ufe0f<\/h2><p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Get exclusive access to world-class pianists and what makes them tick. Subscribe to <em>The Note<\/em> today.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/episode\/24EmpLacV4x4sISWjrAVWD?utm_source=generator&amp;theme=0\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"self-taught-from-age-14\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Self-Taught From Age 14<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>David received traditional piano lessons at one point, but formal education in music didn\u2019t mesh well with him as a child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So David took a break from the piano until he was around 14. David would eventually study music in university, but he hasn\u2019t had formal instruction on playing piano since he was a teen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How did David self-teach himself so well? Mingling with other musicians probably helped. The reason he got back into piano was because his friends were learning instruments at the time and he wanted to be part of that. Over the years, he\u2019s also learned \u201cdribs and drabs\u201d of music theory from playing with other musicians, especially guitarists.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2022\/David%20Bennett\/david%20bennett%201.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"449\" height=\"495\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>You don\u2019t need to know every aspect of music theory to make it useful. Just step in the door, take what you need, and roll with it.<\/p><cite>David Bennett<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"is-music-math\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Is music math?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to David, his first \u201creal awakening\u201d into the power of theory was seeing the chords C, F, and G as 1, 4, and 5. (To those who are new, this is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/the-number-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">number system<\/a> at work.) David started seeing chords everywhere, and he eventually discovered that the same chords and patterns appear over and over in music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to get a taste for this, check out our video <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/bG99H--7tIE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cWhy Are Piano Chords EVERYTHING in Music?&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\">\ud83c\udf36\ufe0f \ud83c\udfb9 <b><i>Want to spice up a boring chord progression?<\/i><\/b> David suggests changing ONE facet of the music, such as a single chord. You can, for example, turn a major chord into its minor version. But don\u2019t alter too much at once \u2014 just pick one thing to change.<\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps you won\u2019t be surprised to learn that David has always enjoyed learning math. After all, music and math have a lot in common. But here\u2019s something you might not know: \u201cRhythm is ultimately the same thing as pitch,\u201d says David.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How? Take the note A, whose frequency is 440hz. This means that A is, essentially, a rhythm hitting 440 times per second. Here\u2019s another example: a perfect 5th interval is <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/1Hqm0dYKUx4?t=46\">three oscillating sine waves against two<\/a>, a frequency ratio of 3:2. See? It\u2019s all [fun] math!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"did-bach-follow-the-rules\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Did Bach follow the rules?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>David believes that music analysis helps you appreciate the music you love. Understanding your favorite song on a deeper level \u2014 such as learning a trivia fact that reveals how special (or not!) your song is \u2014 can be fascinating to any music lover. And as you peel back the layers, you\u2019ll discover that many songs use similar patterns while managing to sound completely unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Rhythm is ultimately the same thing as pitch.<\/p><cite>David Bennett<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2022\/David%20Bennett\/david%20bennett%202.jpeg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>However, David warns against getting <em>too <\/em>wrapped up in theory. Before he studied music academically, David didn\u2019t use theory much. But when he learned about it, he became obsessed with making intricate compositions. This got in the way of creativity. After all, David believes that even Bach only used theory as something to lean on; ultimately, he composed from his imagination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because he had a simpler understanding of the instrument, David recovered his creativity by writing with his guitar rather than with his piano. And he now understands that complexity doesn\u2019t necessarily translate into beautiful music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>My default [favorite pop song] would be &#8220;Strawberry Fields Forever.&#8221; Everything about it is dripping in character.<\/p><cite>David Bennett<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"recording-at-abbey-road-studios\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Recording at Abbey Road Studios<\/strong> \ud83c\udf53<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>David Bennett\u2019s favorite band of all time is the Beatles (his favorite pop song of all time is \u201cStrawberry Fields Forever,\u201d which he made a delightful video about <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/SHDs15pEfl0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>). He originally wanted to become a professional songwriting, and while his career has diverged more into YouTube lately, he\u2019s had some pretty cool experiences. For one, he once had a gig recording at Abbey Road Studios, and he didn\u2019t even notice the famous zebra crossing until he\u2019d crossed it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>David plans to release an EP later this year, his first in about six years, and it will include a full band and vocalist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/4\/42\/Beatles_-_Abbey_Road.jpg?20210101010752\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\">\ud83d\udcdd\ud83c\udfb9 <b><i>How to write a song:<\/i><\/b> Different artists go about this uniquely. While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/four-walls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lyrics come first to Lisa<\/a>, David starts with finding a new chord progression. He then sings \u201cgarbage lyrics\u201d above to figure out the tune, records a voice memo, and takes a break. He returns to the idea later, then experiments with lyrics last.<\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"quick-qs\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Quick Qs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To close off our podcast episode with David, here are some (lightly edited) answers to some quick questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"who-s-your-favorite-composer\"><strong>Who\u2019s your favorite composer?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I usually say Chopin from a classical point of view. But I have a sweet spot for Bach. What I like about him is that his music is not obsessed with melody; it\u2019s almost like the chord progressions are the star. He was so prolific that he probably did develop formulas in his own way. But\u2026I think he was ultimately striving for just great sounding music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-s-your-favorite-pop-song-1\"><strong>What\u2019s your favorite pop song?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>My default answer would be \u201cStrawberry Fields Forever.\u201d It just ticks every box! I think it\u2019s super unique in its sound \u2014 like, no record sounds like that record, partially due to the really unique approach to recording it. But it also has such a unique chord progression, a really unique use of meter, and the lyrics are amazing. Everything about it is dripping in character. I don\u2019t think there\u2019s a single song written since then that sounds anything like it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Analysing my favourite Beatles song\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SHDs15pEfl0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption>David Bennett analyzes his favorite pop song from his favorite band.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Songs that use 5\/4 time\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KQ76-WiFTlo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-s-your-favorite-music-theory-genre\"><strong>What\u2019s your favorite music theory \u201cgenre\u201d?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I love a good odd time signature. An odd time signature is a challenge because most of our music is in 4\/4. But you occasionally get a song in 5\/4 and you almost won\u2019t realize it\u2019s in 5\/4 because they\u2019ve handled it so well. So that\u2019s what I love about it \u2014 making something that\u2019s so odd (we call it odd) sound natural and organic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h3 style=\"font-size:22px;\"><b>Try Your Hand at Piano<\/b><\/h3><\/center><p>Feel inspired by this interview? Try Pianote for 7 days for free and get access to our complete song library, 10-step method, and coaching from world-class piano players.<\/p><center><a class=\"join\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">START PLAYING<\/a><\/center><br><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-s-the-weirdest-theory-thing-you-ever-learned\"><strong>What\u2019s the weirdest theory thing you ever learned?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Probably temperament. You\u2019re probably aware that a piano isn\u2019t tuned to pure, perfect intervals. It\u2019s compromised intervals, and the reasons behind that is a massive tangle of history and compromise based on why we want to write certain music. And it\u2019s one of those things that you think you\u2019ve got your head around and then you\u2019re like, oh wait, no I haven\u2019t!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why Does Music Only Use 12 Different Notes?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lvmzgVtZtUQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption>Equal temperament: get ready to have your mind bent!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>It isn\u2019t complexity that makes music sound good.<\/p><cite>David Bennett<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"if-you-could-change-one-theory-rule-that-exists-what-would-it-be-lisa-would-make-slurs-and-ties-look-less-similar-and-confusing\"><strong>If you could change one theory rule that exists, what would it be? (Lisa would make slurs and ties look less similar and confusing.)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I think I would get rid of all the clefs apart from the treble clef. I understand historically why we have a bass clef. But when I\u2019m teaching a student and you finally get through learning the treble clef, you\u2019re like, \u201cNow you\u2019re going to learn a very similar but different clef \u2014 and keep an eye out for when they change!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/17\/Middle_C_in_four_clefs.svg\/1024px-Middle_C_in_four_clefs.svg.png?20070901144002\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Middle C on the treble clef, alto clef, tenor clef, and bass clef.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It could just be a treble clef but an octave down and it would still work. The only reason we have bass clef is because the note in the middle of the two can be Middle C and everything is neat and tidy\u2026but we don\u2019t need that! Like, how often are they actually interacting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s it for this episode of the Pianote Podcast! <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/3A8KKvYYhanvHIVLxcycMf?si=d4ff9e7065df4553\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Follow us on Spotify<\/a> so you don\u2019t miss an episode!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weekly-email\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>David Bennett\u2019s mini documentaries that explore the music theory behind popular songs are binge-worthy much-watches on YouTube.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1108],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7459","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-musicianship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7459","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7459"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7459\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8334,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7459\/revisions\/8334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}