Composing without music theory

[byarbrough]

Is it possible to compose decent music without having a background in music theory? I want to play around with it, but I feel like not knowing music theory could be prohibitive (not knowing relative minors, etc). Do any of you do this? Out of curiosity, are there any well known composers who didn't have strong backgrounds in music theory?

[naivewriter]

well, i was originally trying to find a way to delete this account because i will never use it. so if i give you an answer or two, maybe you could point me in my needed direction   

it's always possible to write 'decent' music without any bg knowledge. personally, before i began taking theory, my lame compositions were very original and not something already out there (that i am aware of). now, it seems that i'm concentrating too much on having a balance in harmony and without dissonance in general, even though dissonance is allowed. :/  as for any known composer, i do not know, sorry.

so aye, how do i delete???

[pianoladywong]

If you are composing a pop or rock song, you can compose a decent sounding tune without having extensive music theory background. You can generally get away with a few chords, simple harmony and go with what you hear or feel. Without theory or harmony, it can limit your ability to expand or explore other chords, rhythm, timing, and harmonies. There are few bands with no music theory background but writes complex chord structures and melodies. For example, The Beatles.

If you are going to compose a classical / orchestration piece. You would need music theory and harmony. In order to compose for various instruments, you’ll have to study the tuning, range, tone, and harmonic capabilities of each instrument. It’s like painting a picture, an artist needs to have a palette of colors in order for the artists to express and be colorful.  That’s the same with a composer. Music theory and harmony is like a palette of notes, sound and rhythm. Without it, it’ll slow you down and hence will run into many roadblocks, and limit to what chords and harmonies you can use. Going by strictly what you hear can only take you a little ways.
For example, composing with I,IV,V can only go as far as I,IV,V. But if you know about basic minor substitution, you can then substitute the IV chord with a minor ii or the I chord with vi.