Why Claude Debussy Never Cared About Music Theory

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Claude Debussy was born on August 22, 1862. So, I felt writing a blog post to celebrate would be appropriate.

Debussy was a revolutionary composer who challenged the conventions of Western music. He was influenced by the impressionist painters, the exotic sounds of gamelan music, and the symbolist poets. He created a musical language that was expressive, colorful, and atmospheric.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Debussy's music is his use of harmony. He did not follow the rules of tonality and functional harmony that dominated the music of his time. Instead, he used modes, scales, chords, and parallel movements that created a sense of ambiguity and fluidity. He also experimented with timbre, texture, rhythm, and form to create musical images that evoked moods and emotions.

Debussy's music can inspire us to think outside the box and explore new possibilities in our own compositions. We can learn from his innovative techniques and his artistic vision. We can also appreciate his music for its beauty and originality.

If you are interested in learning more about Debussy's music and how to apply some of his ideas to your own compositions, I invite you to join my online course. In this course, you will learn how to analyze Debussy's works, how to use his harmonic language, how to create musical impressions, and how to develop your own musical style.

This course is suitable for composers of any level and any genre. You will get access to video lessons, exercises, feedback, and a supportive community of fellow composers. You will also get a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the greatest composers of all time. Enroll in the course today and get a special discount. You can also sign up for a free trial lesson to see if this course is right for you.

I hope to see you soon in the course. Happy birthday, Debussy!

Sign up for our free Webinar or Book a Call today to learn how to start working on your compositional process today. Every day you put this off, you miss an opportunity to start writing better music. 

Learn more about Debussy's La Mer with a university graduate-level analysis I completed for my students. 

Be warned: the analysis is not an example of how you, as a composer, need to think more deeply about your music. This is a more traditional analysis you would find in a university setting.




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