To Learn or Not to Learn Music Theory
As pianists, we have a total advantage when it comes to learning music theory because the topography of the piano and music theory as so closely related (we can physically see a half step on the piano...not so easy for someone who, for example, plays a trumpet and has only 3 keys to work with!).
There are many reasons to learn music theory. Here are my main two:
1) The relationship between scales and notes on the piano will make much more sense and will become intuitive knowledge very quickly.
2) Music will become easier to learn, interpret, and understand because music is only constructed out of the building blocks that are taught in music theory.
There are many more...too many to list here. However, these 2 alone are so important that they should be enough to convince you of the importance of learning music theory.
I have compiled the music theory books and tools that I use with my students (and have recommended to many others).
What's On This Lens?
- What Is Music Theory?
- Piano Theory for Children
- Another Lens to Check Out
- Music Theory Books for Adult Beginners
- Good Music Theory Blog
- Learning Piano On Your Own
- A Little Favor
- Handy Music Theory Tools
- Music Theory Shirts
- Learning Piano Music Theory
- Look for Music Theory Books
- Help Other Children
- Leave Feedback
What Is Music Theory?
Music theory is the field of study that deals with how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It identifies patterns that govern composers' techniques. In a grand sense, music theory distills and analyzes the parameters or elements of music ? rhythm, harmony (harmonic function), melody, structure, form, and texture. Broadly, music theory may include any statement, belief, or conception of or about music . People who study these properties are known as music theorists. Some have applied acoustics, human physiology, and psychology to the explanation of how and why music is perceived.
Piano Theory for Children
It allows the student to really comprehend how the piano is set up--especially when it comes to the topography and how this relates to how music is written and played).
I have found that learning to play piano is easier for students who have studied music theory in conjunction to their private piano lessons. They have a deeper understanding of how to think about and interpret music because they know the foundations that the music was built on.
There are a wide variety of books for children that approach teaching music theory for piano in many different ways.
These are all of the books that I have previously used with my students:
Note: All of these books come in a variety of levels (primer, 1, 2, etc.)
Piano Theory Workbook Book 1: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/29/2009) 
Alfred's Basic Piano Course: Theory Book, Level 1A
Amazon Price: $5.50 (as of 12/29/2009)
Bastien Piano Basics Theory Book - Level 1
Amazon Price: $5.50 (as of 12/29/2009)
Piano Adventures: Theory Book Level 1 (Piano Adventures Library)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/29/2009)
GP660 - Fundamentals of Piano Theory: Preparatory
Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 12/29/2009)
Another Lens to Check Out
If you are looking for the best piano books for a beginner, this is a must-see lens for you.In this lens, I have featured the books that I have found to work best for many of my students.
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What Are the Best Piano Books for Beginners?
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This is a questions that is constantly being looked at again and again by piano teachers everywhere. And it's a very important one to answer. Why? Because good piano books for beginners can be the difference between a child sticking with piano or q...
Music Theory Books for Adult Beginners
Music theory can be very confusing to learn (luckily, it's actually easier to learn it when you play the piano that any other instrument!). These books are good because they break down music theory into small sections that flow from one topic to the next nicely.
I also like the examples that these books use to explain and support topics. Examples are very important to see because they show how composers actually used the rules in music theory to create the music you know and love.
Alfred's Basic Adult Theory Piano Book, Level 3
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 12/29/2009)
Mastering Music Theory: Beginner to Intermediate
Amazon Price: (as of 12/29/2009)
Music Theory: A Practical Guide for All Musicians (Music Instruction)
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/29/2009)
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/29/2009)
Good Music Theory Blog
This is an excellent blog that covers music theory topics. I think it does an excellent job of explaining why music theory is important to learn and what you will gain by knowing it.
I also think that they do a good job of explaining various music theory concepts, partially because they use good examples. You can search in this blog for the theory concepts that you would like to focus on. It won't give you all the information but it's a good place to start.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byLearning Piano On Your Own
Learning Piano Online can either be incredibly fun or can be a total nightmare.
I have spent quite a bit of time looking over these books/audios/videos to check out the their quality and was really impressed by their approach to teaching piano.
Although I will always recommend getting a private teacher (makes sense since I am one!), I still highly recommend this program.
What I really like about this program is the immediate gratification that it brings since you learn basic piano chords first (instead of single notes, as in most piano method books and the way most teachers teach). Once you learn these, you can experiment with them and immediately start to build songs. It also makes it possible for you to start to learn popular piano songs since chords as mostly what those songs use.
As you progress, you'll learn the fundamentals of pretty much any style you would like to learn. I think one of the best things about this program is the variety, since a well rounded musician must know something about each unique style.
To check out what I'm talking about and find out how to
learn piano and keyboard on your own, check out this program.
A Little Favor
Please take a second to rate this lens!
Feel free to leave comments as well so that this lens could be improved...
Handy Music Theory Tools
Music theory is a lot like chemistry (wait for it...). There is a lot of memorization that you have to do before you can understand and apply the concepts. This is why having flashcards, mats, and other handy reference tools can be so useful to have until (or instead!) you've committed everything to memory.
Essentials of Music Theory
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/29/2009)
Essentials of Music Theory: Ear Training CDs 1 & 2 Combined (for books 1-3)
Amazon Price: $18.95 (as of 12/29/2009)
The Chord Wheel: The Ultimate Tool for All Musicians (Instructional)
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/29/2009)
Music Theory Laminated Mat
Amazon Price: $5.50 (as of 12/29/2009)
Music Theory Shirts
"Conflict Resolution" Women's T-Shirt
Price: 16.99
All Kinds Triads Organic Cotton Tee
Price: 22.99
Learning Piano Music Theory
There are free websites on the internet that you can use that are similar to the program in this video. The one that I prefer is: MusicTheory.net
Look for Music Theory Books
Help Other Children
America Can! is a non-profit organization operating public charter high schools throughout the country. America Can! academies provide a second-chance education for at-risk youth - kids who have dropped out or are at-risk of dropping out of school.
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by Alex_D
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