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?

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.

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