I’ve been playing the piano for about 6 years and i’m a freshman in high school. I plan on taking a music theory class next year in hopes of being able to improve my piano performance. I also want to take this so that I may earn a scholarship at a University (UNT or TCU). Is this a wise decision to make by taking this music theory class? What should I expect in that class?
Yes. It will help you to memorize the pieces you play. Instead of being concerned that you remember what is on the page, you will remember melodic lines and chordal changes. It will not help your technique, however. Your piano teacher will do that. BUT, the music theory will help in interpretation and memorization. Definitely…a good class for you to take.
I hope they give you sight singing. You will need that if you go to music school. I found that they glanced over that when I was in high school. You will learn how to write music. There will be a study of chordal progressions and how they are assembled to write particular styles of music.
Music theory is one of the most important classes you can take if you will major in music. VERY VERY IMPORTANT.
BUT, I will say this to you…don’t do it. Minor in music. Don’t go with the major. You will finish and go…how will I make a living? Teach? You have a 1 in a 10000 chance of making enough to survive. Don’t do it. I made that mistake and now I am an accountant getting ready to sit for the CPA Exam.
I will tell you that I am an AWESOME pianist. Not just good…when I was in school the students use to comment that the way I play is the reason why they went to school for music. Like I say…don’t do it. Become an engineer or something like that. Make the denaro and then go into music…
Sorry to be a wet blanket but I am trying to save your life. I don’t want you to end up like me…trying to catch up for 10 years of mistake.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
It won’t physically improve your piano technique but it will help you to analyze sheet music and if you ever get into composition it builds a foundation for that. I’d say if you intend to study music at the university level it’s worth taking because they’re most definitely going to build on that once you get to the university level.
The theory classes focus on composition, you learn how to put in notes and rests that are appropriate with sequence, and what chords match up with sequences…stuff like that. I took it a long time ago and that is what I remember. I found that the theory classes were easy until I got to Harmony 3 and that I found a little tougher but I wasn’t really applying myself.
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March 10th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Definitely. Theory helps strengthen the mental part of playing the piano. Figuring out patterns and forms in music is significantly improved by taking theory.
Depending on the level of theory you are taking, you can expect the course to reinforce basic theoretical skills and apply these skills when learning a difficult piano section. In basic theory you’ll probably learn stuff like intervals, qualities, key signatures (every key), etc. You might have rhythymic and melodic dication. All of this will help you become a better listener and player.
For more advanced theory, you might learn analysis, harmony, etc.
Theory is extremely tedious, but in the end it will help you.
Hope this helps!
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piano student + music student for the better half of my life.
March 10th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Yes. It will help you to memorize the pieces you play. Instead of being concerned that you remember what is on the page, you will remember melodic lines and chordal changes. It will not help your technique, however. Your piano teacher will do that. BUT, the music theory will help in interpretation and memorization. Definitely…a good class for you to take.
I hope they give you sight singing. You will need that if you go to music school. I found that they glanced over that when I was in high school. You will learn how to write music. There will be a study of chordal progressions and how they are assembled to write particular styles of music.
Music theory is one of the most important classes you can take if you will major in music. VERY VERY IMPORTANT.
BUT, I will say this to you…don’t do it. Minor in music. Don’t go with the major. You will finish and go…how will I make a living? Teach? You have a 1 in a 10000 chance of making enough to survive. Don’t do it. I made that mistake and now I am an accountant getting ready to sit for the CPA Exam.
I will tell you that I am an AWESOME pianist. Not just good…when I was in school the students use to comment that the way I play is the reason why they went to school for music. Like I say…don’t do it. Become an engineer or something like that. Make the denaro and then go into music…
Sorry to be a wet blanket but I am trying to save your life. I don’t want you to end up like me…trying to catch up for 10 years of mistake.
References :
BA in Music from the University of Houston – Piano Major
March 10th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
theory classes would improve your harmonic, rhythmic sense, but not the actual playing
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March 10th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
I received my BM in music theory and it isn’t for everyone, but it is definitely advantageous for any musician! I’m working on my double-masters right now (music education and music theory) and will eventually get my doctorate in composition. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE music theory.
Try theory one and see how that goes. Good luck and have fun with it!
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March 10th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Well, I took a year of basic college theory freshman year(high school) and I play piano as well. I only got up to 4 part writing, which was hard for me, especially with me having to know all of the transpositions for each instrument.
Anyways, I say yes on taking the theory class, it won’t help your technique in anyways, unless your teacher knows how to play piano and slips in a few technique hints. But it will help your musical playing, your analysis on music, and your sight reading. Trust me, before high school I was a terrible sight reader, and I still am, but I got a whole lot better at it through knowledge of inversions, cadences, and things like leading tones.
So yes, take the theory class but be prepared if you’ve had no theory before(that’s what happened to me).
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Good Luck to the rest of your high school life
March 10th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Yes music theory does help in playing the piano. It helps you identify before or as you get to scales, patterns and does help with sight reading.
Also the theory does help in aiding you predict where the music is going so you can adjust your fingerings appropriately.
As far as a scholarship this will definitely help as it shows two things. first that you are serious about music and secondly it shows a progression that is logical and detailed.
In the class you will experience alot of things. Wonder straight through to absolute boredom. Expect though that if you take it seriously it will answer your questions and concerns. For example WHY is Bb considered the same as A#? You will also lose the hesitation when you come across this playing. There will be homework involved as well.
In conclusion theory will help you mentally and maybe in your playing.
It will also help you when you try to earn a scholarship.
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March 10th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Theory is hard. Very hard. I’m not sure how it works in America but in England, doing grade 5 theory will let you do grade six whatever instrument you play. Theory will not improve your piano playing but it may help you understand better. Not guaranteed. You’ll have to be dedicated! You sure as hell don’t wanna forget. Maybe a one on one teacher is better for theory? I’m not sure.
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