Should New Piano Students Know Theory?
Music theory is the study of why chords sound the way they do and how to build them, what makes melody so melodic, why different modes give different feelings, and much more. Now music theory for pianists has always been an integral part of the study of the instrument. However, today's fast paced world with its pop music, instant gratification, and learning everything (not just piano and not just music) "by ear" has made many piano students and even some instructors question whether there is really any value in music theory.
People find music theory dull and too abstract. They believe that as long as they practice sufficiently their ear will become trained and they'll be able to write music and pick up on songs; and if they can't they can at least read music. Music theory may be boring to some people, but understanding why chords sound like they do, understanding why certain intervals create certain sounds and feels, is valuable beyond words to the piano player.
All music schools and music departments furnish a number of theory classes for students, as well as ear training. Perfect pitch is a rare gift for most musicians, but even those individuals who have perfect pitch still have to study theory so that it helps them with relative pitch and learn how melodies and harmony are constructed in works of music. Also, even if you can identify and read notes easily doesn't mean that you can compose great works of music or that you can easily understand a great piece of music.
Have you ever heard someone reading aloud with no feeling, no sense of when to emphasize, no "flow"? But they obviously knew how to speak the words and how to read to be able to read aloud. They sound so bad because they lack a depth of understanding of what they are actually reading.
If the person comprehends the meaning of the words he or she reads without any expression, the real meaning behind the words they are reading are not really heard. But if they truly understood what they were reading, the reading would convey more what the writer intended. This is definitely true for musicians, because a musician that infuses his performances with expression and passion will do much better than someone who performs the pitches or notes in a correct yet mechanical way.
Even if you have been born with perfect pitch or have the knack to perform music, with theory you will have the knowledge you need to understand why music sounds the way it does. Music theory is a basic skill that most people are required to learn in college level classes. A music major should know how music is put together in order to understand how to perform or compose music. - 13731
People find music theory dull and too abstract. They believe that as long as they practice sufficiently their ear will become trained and they'll be able to write music and pick up on songs; and if they can't they can at least read music. Music theory may be boring to some people, but understanding why chords sound like they do, understanding why certain intervals create certain sounds and feels, is valuable beyond words to the piano player.
All music schools and music departments furnish a number of theory classes for students, as well as ear training. Perfect pitch is a rare gift for most musicians, but even those individuals who have perfect pitch still have to study theory so that it helps them with relative pitch and learn how melodies and harmony are constructed in works of music. Also, even if you can identify and read notes easily doesn't mean that you can compose great works of music or that you can easily understand a great piece of music.
Have you ever heard someone reading aloud with no feeling, no sense of when to emphasize, no "flow"? But they obviously knew how to speak the words and how to read to be able to read aloud. They sound so bad because they lack a depth of understanding of what they are actually reading.
If the person comprehends the meaning of the words he or she reads without any expression, the real meaning behind the words they are reading are not really heard. But if they truly understood what they were reading, the reading would convey more what the writer intended. This is definitely true for musicians, because a musician that infuses his performances with expression and passion will do much better than someone who performs the pitches or notes in a correct yet mechanical way.
Even if you have been born with perfect pitch or have the knack to perform music, with theory you will have the knowledge you need to understand why music sounds the way it does. Music theory is a basic skill that most people are required to learn in college level classes. A music major should know how music is put together in order to understand how to perform or compose music. - 13731
About the Author:
Georgia Reader writes for PlayPianoGuide.com, which is a site that reviews the most recent and most successful piano courses online today. Music theory is mandatory for piano students to learn as well as learning the notes and how to play the instrument.
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