The study of music theory entails the analysis and building of chords, how to develop a melody, scales, rhythm, and ear training. In most traditional music school settings, music theory has always been a part of the curriculum. Nowadays, in this world with people that want quick results and fast fixes, students just don't want to spend the time studying music theory.
Most people find that theory does not apply to them, as it is too complex and makes no sense. Music is supposed to be entertaining and enjoyable not full of analysis and if you can play and perform your piano very well that is all the matters, according to many musicians. Music theory encompasses so much knowledge about how music sounds, it is a great way to add to your arsenal of knowledge as a pianist.
Unless you have perfect pitch, you need theory to truly gain a sharp ear. And, even if you are one of the rare ones who has perfect pitch, you still need theory in order to enhance your relative pitch and your sense of melodic and harmonic structure so you can compose, improvise, and perform with depth and dexterity. Just because you can hear a note and name it doesn't mean you understand it sufficiently, just like being able to read notes and play them back doesn't automatically give you great dexterity or allow you to write a great symphony.
Have you ever heard someone reading aloud with no feeling, no sense of when to emphasize, no "flow"? But they obviously knew how to speak the words and how to read to be able to read aloud. They sound so bad because they lack a depth of understanding of what they are actually reading.
So even if a person reads without expression they may understand what the words mean, but they still do not grasp the true meaning of the words. If they really understood what they were reading, the reading would be more impressive. This holds true for musicians: if they can read the notes, they would be much better musicians by infusing the notes with expression.
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. - 15275
Most people find that theory does not apply to them, as it is too complex and makes no sense. Music is supposed to be entertaining and enjoyable not full of analysis and if you can play and perform your piano very well that is all the matters, according to many musicians. Music theory encompasses so much knowledge about how music sounds, it is a great way to add to your arsenal of knowledge as a pianist.
Unless you have perfect pitch, you need theory to truly gain a sharp ear. And, even if you are one of the rare ones who has perfect pitch, you still need theory in order to enhance your relative pitch and your sense of melodic and harmonic structure so you can compose, improvise, and perform with depth and dexterity. Just because you can hear a note and name it doesn't mean you understand it sufficiently, just like being able to read notes and play them back doesn't automatically give you great dexterity or allow you to write a great symphony.
Have you ever heard someone reading aloud with no feeling, no sense of when to emphasize, no "flow"? But they obviously knew how to speak the words and how to read to be able to read aloud. They sound so bad because they lack a depth of understanding of what they are actually reading.
So even if a person reads without expression they may understand what the words mean, but they still do not grasp the true meaning of the words. If they really understood what they were reading, the reading would be more impressive. This holds true for musicians: if they can read the notes, they would be much better musicians by infusing the notes with expression.
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. - 15275
About the Author:
Georgia Reader writes for PlayPianoGuide.com, which is a website that reports on the most recent and most effective piano courses currently online. Music theory is necessary for piano students to learn as well as learning the notes and how to play the instrument.
