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If you aren't good at theory should you major in music?

I've only ever had bad theory teachers so I'm not sure if I'm the problem or it's the way theory was taught to me. I'm wondering about auditioning for some schools on viola and I'm confident in my solo and ensemble playing (especially chamber music) but I'm worried about taking the required college-level theory classes.

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Pooyan’s Answer

I believe everybody can learn music in theory and in practice. Moreover, watching various Youtube videos about the theory of music can absolutely prove my claim. Since the videos are different from each other in their teaching methods, you would be able to make a choice which method is convenient for you.
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david’s Answer

If there is a music instructor at your school, I encourage you to speak with the person. I recall my first year at college, I was a music major and I dropped out of the major because theory was impossible for me. Looking back, I would have done better by speaking with the instructor to gain her perspective on what that might mean to my future studies. So, don't give up without much more information. If you perform well already, then you need a better insight on what theory knowledge does for you.
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Freddy’s Answer

If you're an exceptionally talented musician with a fantastic ear for tunes and rhythms, you can easily recognize and produce catchy melodies and maintain steady beats. In this case, you might not require formal music theory education to succeed in creating music, just like John Lennon did in his early days. However, if you aim to become a music teacher, gaining experience is essential, but that's a different matter altogether.
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Joey’s Answer

When you audition for music schools, some make you take a music theory diagnostic or placement exam (for example, I took a diagnostic exam for the Eastman School, DePaul, and Oberlin), but most don't. The biggest part of getting INTO music school is your audition. Theory proficiency can and most likely will come later. I've been teaching music theory/ear training at the university level for several years, and I rarely have had students that were theory masters from the beginning. It's definitely something you can learn the more you study it!
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