Music Theory - Is It Necessary? - Mozart’s Monthly Memo-Volume 33
August 2, 2023
Music Theory - Is It Necessary?
This Memo includes
Feature Article: Music Theory - Is It Necessary?
Student Hall of Fame
Practice Tip
Parents Ask Pam - I’m concerned because when I read the description for the in person class it made it sound like we didn’t need a piano at home to take the class. I’m finding this seems to not be the case. I’m concerned because we are a low income family and just don’t have access to rentals and a piano. Nothing against you or the class I’m just wondering if this is doable without a piano or keyboard at home?
Feature Article - Music Theory - Is It Necessary?
By Jason Starkey, a guitar, bass and vocal teacher. He also teaches music theory and songwriting. He sings and plays with the Hipsters, a local cover band, and is an overall great musician.
When I mention the term “music theory”, the words “scary”, “boring”, and “unnecessary” are popular responses. After all, many great artists have been said to know nothing about theory. This is a presumptuous statement. They may never have been trained or went to school for it, but they certainly know what they are doing! Some understand it internally at an early age and others enlist help to achieve this.
Theory isn’t only about reading music and staffing notes on paper. Theory is also about understanding what is going on in music. Hearing how notes are put together in a key signature to create melodies and songs. Recognizing patterns and associating songs that use similar formulas. This can be done without hours of studying or the “boring” stuff you’ll never use. It can be done using the music you’re already listening to and writing!
Are YouTube Music Instruction videos useful? Absolutely, no doubt about it. Learning music from many sources is beneficial, including YouTube. Chances are, what you’re looking for is out there. I refer to them often for complicated or unconventional parts of songs in my lessons. It’s a great reference tool!
The downfall of YouTube videos (and the like) is the structure behind the songs are rarely discussed. What key is it in? What are the numerical degrees of the chord progressions? Are we using borrowed chords from another key? The reality is, it’s difficult to explain everything in a 10-minute video. The question is; if it WERE explained, would you know what they’re talking about?
Learning fundamental music theory allows you to understand the formula of music. This will ENAHANCE your YouTube instruction videos. Your new knowledge will help you follow along BETTER, and you will see the patterns that most songs use. You may even need to reference YouTube less often!
Wouldn’t it be exciting to learn or write a song without even having an instrument in your hands? No more fishing for chords? No more trial and error? With a little bit of theory, you can spend more time on your new creative process. You hear a melody in your head and know exactly what to put behind it. Or hear a song and immediately know the chord progression they’re using… instantly?
If this sounds exciting to you, let me help you understand music with my “practical theory” course in seven (7) easy letters and numbers.
-Understand key signature
-Recognize progressions and even PREDICT them
-Ear training to recognize interval and scale degree
-Associate songs to one another
-Melody AND Harmony
-Application for Guitar, Bass, and Vocals
First Lesson/Consultation FREE
jasonstarkeymusicinstruction@gmail.com 🎵 425-494-8352
Student Hall Of Fame
Our students are making great progress! These students have accomplished new goals this last month.
Welcome to our new students - Wesley L.
100 Days - play the piano for at least 5 minutes 100 days in a row - Lillian R. & Nathan H.
5X5 - play the piano for 5 minutes, 5 days in a week, for 5 weeks in a row - Naoki D, Lillian R. & Nathan H. ( * indicates first time meeting this challenge!)
Completed their piano lesson book - Shane G.
Practice Tip
Having good piano posture helps protect from injury as well as keeping you energized and able to play longer. Check your posture every time you sit at the piano. You should be sitting at the front edge of the piano bench, feet on the floor and back straight. Elbows should be at a 90 degree angle with a straight, parallel to the floor, line from elbow to knuckles. Fingers are slightly curved striking the keys on their tips. Fingers, hands, shoulders, and facial muscles should always be relaxed. Having good posture helps make sure your time at the piano is always enjoyable.
Upcoming MOM Events
Want to see all upcoming events? Check out our calendar. It includes when the next Crescendo Kids class begins, school closure dates, piano parties, and recital dates.
Summer Recitals - August 21 - 25, check your email for more details.
Contact Miss Pam if you would like to attend one of our Summer Recitals.
FREE Online Piano Party! Students share their own music as well as participate in musical games, creating music and learning some music history. Each party is a little different with new lessons and a special guest instrument. Come, meet our piano teachers, play some music, and have fun! All ages and musical levels are welcome. Parties are available to non-students, former students as well as current students. Click the link to sign up. Piano Party Sign Up
Sunday, October 1, at 11:00 am for ages 3 - 6 years old
Sunday, October 1, at 12:00 pm for ages 7 - 12 years old
Parent Information Meetings - Have questions about our online piano class program? Want a tour of our practicing app? Click the link to schedule your free meeting with Miss Pam. Parent Info Meeting
Crescendo Kids CLASSES -
North Kirkland Community Center - Tuesdays or Thursdays - visit kirklandparks.net
Summer:
Tuesdays, June 27 - August 22 (no class July 4)
Thursdays, June 29 - August 24
Fall:
Registration begins August 23, 7:00AM
Tuesdays, September 19 - December 12 (no class October 31)
Thursdays, September 21 - December 14 (no class November 23)
Winter:
Registration begins August 23, 7:00AM
Tuesdays, January 16 - April 2 (no class February 20)
Thursdays, January 18 - April 4, (no class February 15).
Spartan Recreation Center in Shoreline - Mondays - visit shorelinewa.gov/registernow
Summer:
Mondays, June 26 - August 21
Fall:
Registration begins August 22 for Shoreline Residents, August 24 for Lake Forest Park Residents, August 25 for all others, 8:00AM
Mondays, September 18 - December 11
30 - Minute Private Online Piano Lessons - Did you know that many of our teachers also teach privately? Now you can continue your child’s musical education, or your own, with Move Over Mozart. Click here for more information. Private Lessons
New Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, August 8. Our piano classes are fun and easy to do! Perfect for beginning students ages 3 1/2 to 12 years old. Students are put into one of 4 classes depending on their age and musical ability.
Crescendo Kids Online Sign Up
Pre-Reading - Ages 3 - 5 years, or students not yet reading,
We use a color-coded method for the students to match their five fingers to five keys on the piano. New songs using only those 5 notes are given each week.
Primary - Ages 5 -7 years or older and brand new to music,
This group is for the very basics of piano playing. Students learn to play simple rhythms, correct hand position, and the names of the white keys on the piano.
Beginning Elementary - Ages 7-12 years or younger and reading notes,
This is for students just starting to read notes on the staff. Students are taught how the staff relates to the piano and how to translate the notes to making music. Also, having the students memorize a few key notes on the staff will help greatly with their ability to read music.
Advanced Elementary - Ages 7 - 12 years with previous piano lessons
This group already reads notes on the staff and can immediately identify many of the notes by name. They will learn more advanced technique and music theory beyond the initial basics of learning to play.
Parents Ask Pam
Have a question for Miss Pam? You can email, text message, or message on Facebook your questions. She will respond immediately to you, and your question might be featured in future newsletters.
Q: I’m concerned because when I read the description for the in person class it made it sound like we didn’t need a piano at home to take the class. I’m finding this seems to not be the case. I’m concerned because we are a low income family and just don’t have access to rentals and a piano. Nothing against you or the class I’m just wondering if this is doable without a piano or keyboard at home?
A: So, let me start with our practice app, Tonara. Yes, it is mainly a practice app and it helps students be more motivated to practice between lessons. But it is also a great way to communicate with parents about what their child should be doing each week and how they are progressing through their book. IF you had a keyboard/piano at home, you would still need to sit with your child to help them practice, at least for the first couple of weeks until they understood how to do it themselves. To be honest, most parents do not do that. I figure it is a time factor. But it is also the child's young age. Many parents don't know how or what to do with a young child at the piano, even for 5 minutes.
Our classes are designed to be a bridge between the desire to learn piano and being old enough and disciplined enough for private lessons. Private lessons are ideal for the 8 - 9 year old, who are able to practice 2 - 3 hours a week. But kids (and parents) want to start younger. Parents want to see just how interested their child really is and if they have a knack for playing, without having to spend so much money on an expensive instrument and lessons. Kids do not have the attention span or intensity needed to stay at a piano for 30 minutes a day! Certainly not at age 5 and many are not even ready at age 9. But they are ready to play something at the piano and they love making music.
We have a range of students in our classes. Some, probably about a third, are like you without any instrument at home. Others have an instrument but rarely touch it, and a few practice regularly, maybe 2 - 3 days a week or more. We also have students returning from previous sessions as well as new students. Everyone learns at a different pace and has a different background. We want to motivate all students, so we present everything that is available and you can pick and choose what works for you and your family.
For your child, I would suggest listening to classical music (the listening challenge). Listening to music is the one thing I have noticed that helps all students, whether they practice or not. And an instrument is not needed.
In class, your child will participate in various activities to help learn the objectives. For example, the first few weeks we will focus on basic rhythm. We will clap some rhythms as a class, and then the students may do a worksheet related to what they just clapped, or they may hold flashcards for each other to clap. We try to encourage interaction in the class so the kids can help each other as they are learning for themselves. When at the piano, I will help each child play their song, then they go to a practice piano to play it again on her own.
Yes, a piano or keyboard at home is not necessary to do this class. It is recommended though. But this is a great place to start to learn and find out if this is something you want to pursue with your child.
Your Comments And Questions
We want to hear from you! What questions do you have? What do you like best about this memo? How do you encourage practicing in your home? Please leave your questions and comments below or email Pam directly at misspam@moveovermozart.net