Music Theory Classes in West Vancouver
When people think of the process of learning an instrument, they often only consider the practical side of things—taking lessons from qualified teachers, practising, and performing in exams, festivals, or competitions. While all of this is crucial and very important, there is another lesser-known aspect of music that serves as the undercurrent to everything mentioned above, and that is music theory!
What is Music Theory?
Music theory can be divided into three categories according to The Oxford Companion to Music: the musical rudiments/building blocks that are needed to understand music composition; the perspectives of scholars about music from all time periods; and the musicological approach which “seeks to define processes and general principles in music”. The first definition is the most common and widespread application of the term “music theory”, particularly when it comes to being implemented through music lessons, and it is this term that this article will be focusing on.
Music theory forms the foundation on which all music is built. It is like a language; classical composers from all eras must be fluent in music theory to compose masterpieces the same way one must be fluent in grammar and literature in order to write a high-quality novel. At all levels of learning music, it is important for students to understand concepts of music theory.
Why do you need to know Music Theory?
“But I’m not interested in being a composer,” you might think. “Why do I need to know about music theory?”
Learning a piece of music requires more than just figuring out the notes one by one. Having a background in music theory—recognizing common harmonies and chord progressions, spotting common figuration and patterns, understanding different forms of music—will streamline the learning process, making it easier overall. For those interested in composition, having a strong foundation of music theory will aid the composition process. When one understands how a piece is put together, and how the various theoretical elements work in concert with one another, the result will be a much stronger understanding and interpretation of the music.
When should you start learning music theory?
Music theory should be implemented into piano lessons from the beginning, no matter what age the student starts at. Of course, the complexity of the theory will vary depending on the student. Younger students can be introduced to theory concepts through simple activities or various musical games alongside of our kid’s piano lessons. Older students can dive right into workbooks and worksheets.
What age is best to start learning theory?
As mentioned above, students should have theory interwoven into their regular music lessons. For younger students age 4-7, it is recommended to place them in general music lessons before having them take lessons that cater to a specific instrument. Giving students a solid foundation of basic music theory and concepts will make the transition to playing an instrument a lot easier. Just like the ability to speak a language will make it easier to learn how to read said language, so will being immersed in musical concepts lessen the difficulty of learning how to read music and play an instrument.
How to approach learning music theory?
With younger students, activities and games should focus on concepts such as pitch, rhythm, and melody. Singing, clapping, and other such interactive methods of learning will help to reinforce concepts of music theory. For older students ready to dive into working on written theory such as harmony, voice-leading, and analysis, it is always a good idea to start with basic concepts and build from there. Always ensure you understand a concept before moving on to another one. Music is like math: more complex topics depend on previously learned skills in order to fully understand. Do not underestimate the basics!
Overall, music theory is integral to gaining deeper insights into great compositions and the minds that created them. Cultivating a strong understanding of theory will enrich the learning process and result in a more well-rounded understanding of the music being studied. No matter the age, it is never too late to start learning theoretical concepts.
In-person and Online Music Theory Classes
The Royal Conservatory curriculum requires any student participating in practical exams in level 5 or higher to be proficient in beginner level theory. The aim of this is to provide students with more theoretical knowledge regarding the pieces they play, thus returning a more expressive and logical understanding of the music. As students progress in music theory, some even find themselves learning and memorizing music faster as they use their knowledge of theory as an additional layer in their breakdown of the music.
An additional benefit of these exams is that they can count towards secondary school diploma credits.
At Dio Piano School we prepare students for these theory exams with our students often completing them with First Class Honours and Distinction.
Music theory offered at Dio Piano School:
- Rudiments
- Functional and Tonal Harmony
- Post-Tonal harmony
- Counterpoint
- Form and Analyses
Contact us today for more information about our piano lessons. Fill out the contact form or Call us and one of our piano teachers would be happy to answer any questions you have!
(604) 446-1089
Contact us today for more information about our piano lessons. Fill out the contact form or Call us and one of our piano teachers would be happy to answer any questions you have!