This Terrible Theory
No matter what instrument your child plays, if they are taking ABRSM exams, before moving on to Grade 6, they are required to pass music theory. It’s like a quest: you can’t move to the next level until you pass.
Historically, it has turned out that students don’t really like theory. And it’s understandable. Over the past 20 years that I’ve been teaching it, the theory has changed 3 times, and it hasn’t gotten better. Now, at least 30% of the exam is proofreading, which is a downside. But, it has become easier, which is a plus.
Nevertheless, I love it dearly, even in this truncated form. Music is logical and much closer to mathematics than it seems, and theory is all about that. To play well, it really helps to understand how it’s made. Understanding the logic makes it easier to memorize. Those intervals that most people hate help a lot with sight-reading. Knowing key signatures helps you avoid missing sharps and flats, and generally understand how the composer ended up there.
And so on and so forth.
And if, while preparing for the exam, the student understands why each section is important, then it’s not torturous, and sometimes even enjoyable. Because no one likes to waste time.
Nevertheless, I love it dearly, even in this truncated form. Music is logical and much closer to mathematics than it seems, and theory is all about that. To play well, it really helps to understand how it’s made. Understanding the logic makes it easier to memorize. Those intervals that most people hate help a lot with sight-reading. Knowing key signatures helps you avoid missing sharps and flats, and generally understand how the composer ended up there.
And so on and so forth.
And if, while preparing for the exam, the student understands why each section is important, then it’s not torturous, and sometimes even enjoyable. Because no one likes to waste time.
