Theory and harmony broadened my mind in music. I know what music is made of.
In this quote, Nina Simone refers to the fundamental components of music – theory and harmony – as instrumental in shaping her understanding and appreciation of music. Music theory is the study of the practices and possibilities of music. It involves understanding the language of music, the notation and the underlying structure. Harmony, on the other hand, is the process by which individual sounds are joined together. It’s about the chords, the chord progressions and how they follow each other.
When Simone says “theory and harmony broadened my mind in music. I know what music is made of”, she is acknowledging the importance of these two elements in creating and interpreting music. It’s like knowing the grammar and syntax of a language. It’s not just about playing or singing a song, it’s about understanding its structure, its chord progression, its rhythm, its melody, and its harmony. It’s about knowing why a certain note or chord gives us a certain feeling, why a certain rhythm makes us want to dance, or why a certain melody stays in our heads.
In today’s world, this idea can be applied not just in music, but in any field. In business, for instance, it’s not enough to know how to run a business, but also to understand the principles and theories behind it, the market dynamics, the customer behavior, the trends, etc. In personal development, it’s not enough to know what you want to achieve, but also to understand the principles of success, the habits that lead to it, and the mindset that sustains it.
In essence, Simone’s quote is about the importance of understanding the fundamentals, the underlying principles, the “why” behind the “what”. It’s about the importance of knowledge and understanding in achieving mastery and in making informed decisions. It’s about the importance of a broad and deep understanding in appreciating and enjoying any field, whether it’s music, business, or personal development.
