New Voices and Old Theory
Irving Godt
Theory follows we commonly say, ignoring the grain of contradiction implicit in that popular saw. In truth, priority like to accord musical practice may be no more assured than chicken over egg. Musical theory and are not as weakly linked wisdom would lead us believe. If does fact follow practice, then prior existence new must testify concurrent operation some kind understanding which later merely gives formal expression. purely speculative theories have held sway from time time, truly influential past were practical ones. These usually came into descriptive systems, matured prescriptive doctrines, finally fell disuse when they began lag too far behind contemporary practice. Only after becoming outmoded, did begin look ever a posterity had forgotten their applications.
The Journal of Musicology