| At its core, Music Theory is the study of the | | | | reason for being the mechanical knowledge will |
| written music notes. It is the understanding of the | | | | come. |
| dots and scribbles that make up written music, | | | | Critical Concept #2 - Try to understand one thing |
| and the ability to effectively translate them into | | | | at a time |
| sounds. | | | | Music is a multidimensional language. What does |
| An understanding of theory really helps musicians, | | | | that mean? Well it means that in order to read |
| not because it makes them play better, but | | | | music many different pieces of information have |
| because it helps them communicate better with | | | | to be absorbed at one time. That is the thing that |
| other muscians. | | | | makes it most challenging. A note has both a pitch |
| So how do you teach it? how do you get across | | | | (what note it is), and a duration (how long it is |
| the important parts of it, without overwhelming | | | | played for). Add to that it also has a dynamic |
| or boring the student? | | | | (how loud it is) and also expression marks that |
| I've come up with three important concepts | | | | have to be interpreted. That is why music can be |
| which can help in this area. | | | | so difficult to learn to read. |
| Critical Concept #1 - Start with the sound, then | | | | Critical Concept #3 - Keep it relevant |
| the theory. | | | | The final important concept with music theory is |
| One thing that nearly all music teachers agree | | | | to keep it relevant. The music that the student is |
| with is that music should start first with sound, | | | | currently learning is the music that should be used |
| and then move onto written understanding. In | | | | to relate to their music theory. For example It is |
| practice that means we should always introduce | | | | very silly for a student to be playing jazz music, |
| something with a sound, then explan why it is the | | | | yet studying classical music theory. The music |
| way it is. For example if teaching chords it is very | | | | that students are playing is what should be used |
| important for a student to understand firstly what | | | | as the basis for their theory tuition.hopefully if |
| a major or minor chord sounds like, the emotion | | | | music teachers students can approach the study |
| that it is conveying and the reasons why a major | | | | of music theory with these primary concepts in |
| or minor chord might be chosen for a particular | | | | mind then music lessons will be more enjoyable |
| situation. Once they can hear the sound, and its | | | | and rewarding for everyone. |