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.
People find music theory dull and too abstract. They believe that as long as they practice sufficiently their ear will become trained and they'll be able to write music and pick up on songs; and if they can't they can at least read music. Music theory may be boring to some people, but understanding why chords sound like they do, understanding why certain intervals create certain sounds and feels, is valuable beyond words to the piano player.
All music schools and music departments furnish a number of theory classes for students, as well as ear training. Perfect pitch is a rare gift for most musicians, but even those individuals who have perfect pitch still have to study theory so that it helps them with relative pitch and learn how melodies and harmony are constructed in works of music. Also, even if you can identify and read notes easily doesn't mean that you can compose great works of music or that you can easily understand a great piece of music.
Imagine listening to someone reading out loud using no expression or emotion, with a lot of hesitation. Still, they are able to read and speak the words. The problem is that they do not sound good because there is no understanding of the words they are articulating.
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.
A music student with perfect pitch who can perform with uncanny accuracy and beauty still needs to acquire the knowledge neccessary to understand music theory. Most colleges require music students to learn music theory as a part of their program of study. And most music students know that it is necessary to study music theory to understand how music works. - 16738
People find music theory dull and too abstract. They believe that as long as they practice sufficiently their ear will become trained and they'll be able to write music and pick up on songs; and if they can't they can at least read music. Music theory may be boring to some people, but understanding why chords sound like they do, understanding why certain intervals create certain sounds and feels, is valuable beyond words to the piano player.
All music schools and music departments furnish a number of theory classes for students, as well as ear training. Perfect pitch is a rare gift for most musicians, but even those individuals who have perfect pitch still have to study theory so that it helps them with relative pitch and learn how melodies and harmony are constructed in works of music. Also, even if you can identify and read notes easily doesn't mean that you can compose great works of music or that you can easily understand a great piece of music.
Imagine listening to someone reading out loud using no expression or emotion, with a lot of hesitation. Still, they are able to read and speak the words. The problem is that they do not sound good because there is no understanding of the words they are articulating.
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.
A music student with perfect pitch who can perform with uncanny accuracy and beauty still needs to acquire the knowledge neccessary to understand music theory. Most colleges require music students to learn music theory as a part of their program of study. And most music students know that it is necessary to study music theory to understand how music works. - 16738
About the Author:
Georgia Reader writes for PlayPianoGuide.com, which is a site that reports on the most recent and most successful 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.
