Music theory is the study of why chords sound the way they do and how to build them, what makes melody so melodic, why different modes give different feelings, and much more. Now music theory for pianists has always been an integral part of the study of the instrument. However, today's fast paced world with its pop music, instant gratification, and learning everything (not just piano and not just music) "by ear" has made many piano students and even some instructors question whether there is really any value in music theory.
Except for people that are intellectuals, most people believe music theory is boring and needlessly complicated and music is supposed to be fun, not a mathematical exercise; and it's hard enough training the muscles of the hand and learning to sight-read without bothering with all that theory. Music theory helps tremendously with training your ear and gives you very enhanced improvisational and compositional powers and learning chords and how to play them is a very valuable tool for the pianist.
Most musicians need theory to help them with ear training. For example, if you have perfect pitch, knowledge of theory is needed to help with relative pitch and the structure of melody and harmony so you can compose or improvise music with skill. Even if you can read music adequately doesn't mean you can compose a great symphony or give the understanding to analyze a great piece of music.
Did you ever listen to someone reading aloud in a mechanical voice, or in a flat monotone? True, they can read and speak the words that they read. But the reason they sound so dull and boring is that the speaker did not comprehend the words or the impact have on the listener.
If the person comprehends the meaning of the words he or she reads without any expression, the real meaning behind the words they are reading are not really heard. But if they truly understood what they were reading, the reading would convey more what the writer intended. This is definitely true for musicians, because a musician that infuses his performances with expression and passion will do much better than someone who performs the pitches or notes in a correct yet mechanical way.
No matter if you have perfect pitch and are naturally gifted with dexterity, the confidence you will gain from knowing why certain notes should fit together will affect other people who hear them. Most music students are required to study music theory as it is a basic fundatmental skill they must learn. They must learn why music sounds the way it does and how it is put together. - 15634
Except for people that are intellectuals, most people believe music theory is boring and needlessly complicated and music is supposed to be fun, not a mathematical exercise; and it's hard enough training the muscles of the hand and learning to sight-read without bothering with all that theory. Music theory helps tremendously with training your ear and gives you very enhanced improvisational and compositional powers and learning chords and how to play them is a very valuable tool for the pianist.
Most musicians need theory to help them with ear training. For example, if you have perfect pitch, knowledge of theory is needed to help with relative pitch and the structure of melody and harmony so you can compose or improvise music with skill. Even if you can read music adequately doesn't mean you can compose a great symphony or give the understanding to analyze a great piece of music.
Did you ever listen to someone reading aloud in a mechanical voice, or in a flat monotone? True, they can read and speak the words that they read. But the reason they sound so dull and boring is that the speaker did not comprehend the words or the impact have on the listener.
If the person comprehends the meaning of the words he or she reads without any expression, the real meaning behind the words they are reading are not really heard. But if they truly understood what they were reading, the reading would convey more what the writer intended. This is definitely true for musicians, because a musician that infuses his performances with expression and passion will do much better than someone who performs the pitches or notes in a correct yet mechanical way.
No matter if you have perfect pitch and are naturally gifted with dexterity, the confidence you will gain from knowing why certain notes should fit together will affect other people who hear them. Most music students are required to study music theory as it is a basic fundatmental skill they must learn. They must learn why music sounds the way it does and how it is put together. - 15634
About the Author:
Georgia Reader reviews for PlayPianoGuide.com, which is a website that reviews the most recent and most successful piano courses online today. Music theory is mandatory for piano students to learn as well as learning the notes and how to play the instrument.
