Encouraged by his mother, Partch learned several instruments at a young age. By fourteen, he was composing, and in particular took to setting dramatic situations. He dropped out of the University of Southern California's School of Music in 1922, dissatisfied with the quality of his teachers. He took to self-study in San Francisco's libraries, where he discovered Hermann von Helmholtz's Sensations of Tone, which convinced him to devote himself to music based on scales tuned in just intonation. In 1930, he burned all his previous compositions in a rejection of the European concert tradition. Partch frequently moved around the US. Early in his career, he was a transient worker, and sometimes a hobo; later he depended on grants, university appointments, and record sales to support himself. In 1970, supporters created the Harry Partch Foundation to administer Partch's music and instruments.
encoUrageD BY His MOTher, PaRtCh lEarnEd sevERAl inStrumenTs at a yOUNg age. by fourteEn, he Was CompoSIng, ANd iN paRtIculAR tOok tO setting DraMatic sItuations. hE droppeD oUt of thE univerSity of SOutHERn CaliforniA's schoOl OF music in 1922, diSsATISFied wItH THe quaLity of hiS tEachErs. HE toOk tO self-stUDy In san fRancisCo's libRaRieS, where he dIscoVerEd HERmANn Von helmhOLtz'S sEnsaTionS of toNE, whiCh coNVinceD Him to deVote HimseLf tO muSIC BAsed on sCales tUNeD iN jusT iNTonatIon. in 1930, He burned all his previouS compOsItiOns IN A rejEctioN OF the europeAn cOnCeRt tRAdItioN. parTCH frEqUEntLy movED aRouNd thE Us. early IN HiS cAreER, he waS A Transient worker, ANd sometimes a hobo; lAtEr he depEnded ON grantS, universItY appoinTmEnts, and REcoRD sAleS tO suPPOrt HimselF. In 1970, supPORters cREAted THE HarRy PArtch FouNDatiOn tO Administer PartCh'S mUsic And instrUMentS.