Unique Original Articles » The Most Practical ways to teach Music Theory

At its core, Music Theory is the study of the written manuscript. It is the knowledge of the symbols that make up music scores, and the knowledge of how to effectively turn them into music.

An understanding of theory assists people who play music, not because it makes them play better, but because it helps them speak the same language as other musicians.

What do you do to communicate it? how do you get across the critical concepts in it, without overwhelming or boring the student?

I believe that there are three concepts which if you keep in mind when teaching music theory will really help

Important Idea #1 - Start with the sound, then move to theory.

Nearly all music teachers agree that music learning should begin with sound, and then translate that onto paper. Therefore it is important to always start with what something sounds like, then show the students why it is the way it is. For example if teaching chords it is critical for a student to know at first what a major or minor chord sounds like, the emotion that it is conveying and the reasons why a major or minor chord might be chosen for a particular piece of music. Once they can hear the sound, and its reason for being the theoretical knowledge will come.

Important Idea Number Two - Learn one concept at a time

Music is a multidimensional language. What does that mean? Well it means that in order to understand written music many different pieces of information have to be absorbed at one moment. That is the thing that makes it most challenging. A note has both a pitch (what note it is), and a duration (how long it is played for). Add to that it also has a dynamic (how soft it is) and also expression marks that have to be read by the musician. That is why music can be so challenging to learn to understand music theory.

Important Idea #3 - Ensure it is always relevant

The final critical concept with music theory is to keep it relevant. The music that the student is learning currently is the music that should be used to connect with their music theory. For example if a student plays jazz music then they should study jazz music theory. The music that students are currently performing is what should be used as the basis for their music theory tuition.

Hopefully if music teachers students can learn to approach the study of music theory with these basic concepts in mind then music lessons will be more fun and rewarding for everyone.

The author, Kevin Tuck is an experienced music theory teacher, having taught music theory in schools and his own private music studio. He has learned music theory himself to a high level through all the major exam systems, and has had outstanding results in music examinations. Kevin works as editor of Music Theory Worksheets for the Fun Music Company.
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