Importance of Theory

Written theory assignments have always been my favorite part of music study. I guess I am just a little strange or something, but I have always loved theory workbooks, theory class in college and I love teaching theory.

When I was a piano student, my teacher might assign a page or two in a new theory book for the week. I would come back a week later having finished the entire book and asking for more. I think I got in trouble for that a few times, as I was progressing farther along in my theory knowledge than my performance ability. But I didn't care, I loved knowing how it all fit together and discovering new connections and patterns within music.

The written theory assignments are often the most forgotten part of practice. Honestly, sometimes I wonder, "if they didn't have time to finish their theory, how well did they really practice this week?" In a lesson, I can usually tell if the child has finished their theory assignments without even looking by the way that they play and recall the information learned the previous week. I know kids have such busy schedules these days, but in some ways, theory is the most important part of your piano routine each week. Think about it, most piano students will not continue to be pianists for their career. But the concepts they learn from their theory assignments can help them in any future field as well as music. In theory, we learn to identify patterns, extend our vocabulary with new terminology, and wrap our minds around spacial relationships both aural and visual. We work with fractions, set up algebraic equations, multiply and divide. We work on our aural skills and learn to listen with discernment. Not to mention the musical benefits of theory work! A diligent theory student will read music better, memorize pieces faster, play by ear, and sightread better. Every aspect of playing the piano become easier with theory practice. There as so many things that go into playing the piano all in the same instance. Reading on the staff, finding the correct notes on the keyboard, playing those notes with the correct fingering, articulation and dynamics, preparing for what is coming next, pedalling, and listening. All these thought processes are occurring at the same time. The practice that the theory book provides make these ideas process faster. Studying piano without theory is like taking your driver's test without having read the manual-- you might be able to maneuver, but you are probably going to miss something important.

Don't forget to check your child's assignment notebook each week to be sure that they do not forget their theory. Sometimes the kids need a little help remembering their written work because they are so focused on the actual practice portion of their piano routine.