Yes, according to Grammy-winning musician Jacob Collier, learning to read music is indeed like learning a language. Collier emphasizes the importance of understanding the language of music, stating, "Essentially, what harmony is, is it's like a language." This comparison suggests that musical notation functions similarly to written language, with its own set of symbols, grammar, and syntax. Just as letters form words and sentences, musical notes, rhythms, and other markings combine to create musical phrases and compositions.
Why Music is Like a Language
The idea of music as a language is reinforced by several key parallels:
- Symbols: Both written language and music use specific symbols to convey meaning. In language, we have letters that form words; in music, we have notes that form melodies and harmonies.
- Grammar & Syntax: Language follows grammatical rules to create coherent sentences, and music follows its own set of rules for harmony, melody, and rhythm. These rules ensure that the musical ideas are conveyed clearly.
- Communication: Both language and music are forms of communication. Language communicates thoughts and ideas, and music communicates feelings, emotions, and stories.
- Understanding and Expression: Just as one can learn to read, write, and speak a language, one can learn to read, play, and compose music, allowing both understanding and creative expression.
Key Aspects in Common
| Feature | Language | Music |
|---|---|---|
| Symbols | Letters form words and sentences. | Notes, rests, and symbols form melodies and rhythms. |
| Grammar | Rules for sentence structure, tense, and word order. | Rules for harmony, melody, and rhythm. |
| Structure | Sentences and paragraphs convey ideas. | Phrases and musical sections create a composition. |
| Learning | Starts with basic alphabet, progressing to vocabulary and grammar. | Starts with basic notes, progressing to rhythm and theory. |
| Expression | Used to communicate thoughts, ideas, and stories. | Used to communicate emotions and moods. |
| Interpretation | Texts can be interpreted in different ways. | Musical pieces can be interpreted by different performers. |
Practical Insights
- Learning music theory can be seen as the equivalent of learning grammar in a language.
- Understanding the relationships between notes (harmony) is akin to understanding the relationships between words in a sentence.
- Musical phrases can be thought of as sentences that combine to form paragraphs or larger musical ideas.
In conclusion, Jacob Collier's insight highlights that reading music is a form of literacy, much like reading a written language. Both involve interpreting symbols, understanding structure, and conveying ideas.
