What is Music Theory?

When joining Pakachoag Music School parents ask us, “What is music theory?" This ‘sometimes-perceived-as-esoteric’ area of music study, within the classical tradition, allows one to explore how music is composed – from understanding the basics like the proper use of key and time signatures to the larger picture of what it takes to compose a symphony. Music Theory touches upon understanding the scale structure, internal relationships, harmonic progression and chord structure, cadences, modulation, chromaticism and more.

At Pakachoag Music School, we include “Musicianship” in the title of our class because our ultimate goal is to create well-rounded musicians. This requires the ability to put the theoretical aspects of music to good use as we explore making music. Our classes include an on-line curriculum for students aged 9.5 and up which can be completed at home with support from our theory instructor, and additional activities that would not typically be found in a pure ‘music theory’ class.

Did you know:

• Music theory is most commonly taught at the college level to music majors for several semesters.
• Many music majors do not list Music Theory as one of their favorite subjects; but many of us really love it!

Do you want to learn more?

• Various workbooks are available for young theory students. (At Pakachoag we use the Sandy Feldstein series).
• For adults looking for an in-depth study, try Walter Piston’s “Harmony”. For further studies, try Piston’s “Counterpoint”.

Musicianship/Theory Classes at Pakachoag Music School

A Guide for Parents and Students -
“Why You Should Enroll and What You Can Expect to Learn”

Overview:

Tuition at Pakachoag Music School includes the opportunity for private instruction students to participate in Musicianship/Theory classes at a substantially discounted fee on Friday afternoons. These classes are designed to reinforce and expand upon the instruction students receive in their weekly lesson. Because much of the information covered in these classes is a necessary part of musical study (for instance, for beginners, understanding the difference between half steps and whole steps and understanding how a musical scale is constructed), each faculty member strongly encourages you to make every effort to participate. In the event that you cannot attend, progress during weekly lessons will be somewhat slower in that basic theoretical material will need to be covered during the weekly lesson; as an alternative we recommend a minimum 45-minute lesson. Enrollment in a musicianship/theory class is still the best alternative due to the structured curriculum and the additional benefits of small group instruction.

What to Expect as a Musicianship/Theory Student:

As might be expected, many students (and parents) who are new to music are also new to the concept of “Musicianship/Theory”. It is difficult to define the subject precisely as it touches upon a broad array of topics and skills that provide a student musician with some of the theoretical underpinnings and associated skills which develop one’s total musicianship (as opposed to one’s ability to play a particular instrument with proficiency).

Some of the activities included in Pakachoag Music School classes:

On-Line and Workbook assignments

provide practice in writing music. Initially, this involves developing comfort with basic notation using both the treble and bass clefs, to becoming adept at identifying and writing key and time signatures, familiarity with musical terminology, and later to becoming knowledgeable regarding the “rules” and principles relating to the construction of harmonies and melodies.

Dictation exercises (singing and clapping/movement exercises) - on-line and during class

strengthen the student’s aural ability to match pitches and identify intervals accurately; to identify and reproduce rhythmic patterns correctly; and for more advanced students, to identify chord progressions by ear.

Music appreciation activities

expose students to some of the basic musical repertoire and famous classical composers; and to stimulate an individual desire to listen to and appreciate a wide range of the classical repertoire.

Group discussion and creative exercises

develop each student’s comfort in using and sharing the language of music.

Use of the Piano for Group Instruction:

For students who take private piano lessons, use of this instrument to demonstrate musical concepts in our musicianship/theory classes makes sense. However, for may students who study an instrument other than the piano, use of the piano may at first appear out-of-place and result in some discomfort. However, as any of our faculty members will tell you – including those of us who play an instrument other than the piano - the piano is traditionally the instrument used when teaching theoretical concepts such as scale and chord construction.

The reasons are actually quite logical: first, the keyboard represents a good visual illustration (in that the notes and spacing between notes (whole steps/half steps, black and white keys) is readily visible); second, reproduction of musical harmonies (the use of more than one note at one time) is only possible using a keyboard, guitar or a group of instruments. Thus a keyboard (in this case, the piano) is the logical choice. Also, the range of sounds that can be easily played at the piano is vast; it is truly an orchestral instrument. In fact, all professionally trained musicians are required to complete some form of keyboard training when studying music.* Thus, familiarity with the piano, including names of the keys and recognition of both the G (or treble clef) and bass clef is one of the components of being a well-rounded musician. Understandably, piano students (and sometimes guitar students because they are introduced to chord construction early on during their studies) usually are at an advantage in music theory classes; they may find some of the class material covered repetitive or may move at a faster rate than other students.

Students who may be considering a career in music may wish to consider some form of keyboard training before entering college (in fact, from a learning point of view, the sooner this takes place, the better). Many employment opportunities in all fields of music (teaching, performing, conducting, composing) prefer and in some cases require keyboard skills.