There are three common reasons why students feel apprehensive about learning music theory. They are either intimidated by it, they think it will somehow stifle their creativity, or the study of music theory bores them to death.

By Dr. Joel Clifft

Since music theory is required of all music majors, how can music educators and music majors get beyond these concerns?

Reducing Anxiety

Some people like to compare music theory to math. When I was a kid I was intimidated by multiplication tables. The only way to really learn them is to drill them over and over until they become automatic. The trouble really comes if you move forward without learning your multiplication tables. It’s difficult to do exponents without a solid grasp of them.

In the same way, it is almost impossible to build scales without a firm grasp on key signatures.  If you run into trouble, it’s likely that you haven’t yet mastered an earlier skill.  Music theory is also likened to athletics in the sense that speed and accuracy are very important, so, as I see it, the best solution is a step-by-step curriculum that includes LOTS of drills for the basics.

Encouraging creativity

I have debated several times, both online and in-person, with people who are afraid that the study of music theory will stifle their creativity. I would concede that if you are using music theory as the primary driving force behind your compositions, they are going to be quite unoriginal (to put it nicely).

However, your ability to read, spell and understand grammar does not impede your ability to speak, does it? The understanding of the structure of music, like the structure of language, only enhances your ability to use it.

A deep and fluent understanding of music theory will only expand the possibilities at your fingertips and in your ears. In order to speak the language of music fluently, one must master the basics to the point that they become automatic and don’t impede the composer or improvisor.  Music theory helps us to understand the structure of music, but our ears should always lead our minds in the creative process.

Overcoming boredom

Traditionally, music theory is taught in a lecture format similar to a math classroom. There is often little interaction between and among teacher and students.

In addition, the repertoire most commonly used for examples, while quality music, does not appeal to the majority of students. This adds to the feeling that at best, music theory is a useful subject only for classical music. And at worst, it is only for old, stuffy snobs. Both are so far from the truth!

Music theory provides a powerful tool to understand, create, analyze, and even perform music at the highest level possible. This tool transcends any style or era and is essential for anyone who has a serious desire to pursue music.

But music theory needs to be made more exciting and accessible. We are so accustomed to having information available 24/7 at our fingertips that attention spans are now shorter. Education methods must take this into consideration and include mobile apps and online tools to engage students.

In conclusion, in order to overcome the apprehension that many younger music theory students face, I recommend the following:

1. Learn music theory methodically. Make sure each building block is solid before moving on. Drill!

2. Master the basics. In order to be fluent you must be both fast and accurate. Drill!

3. Have fun! Learn with a wide variety of music, including classical, rock, pop, jazz, metal, punk, R&B, etc.

4. Use technology. (Because who reads books anymore?)

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Dr. Joel Clifft directs Keyboard Studies at Azusa Pacific University, where he teaches piano, music theory, accompanying, and ear training. He’s also an adjunct professor at USC Thornton School of Music. He created Music Theory Pro, an iPhone app also available for Mac computers and iPads. Music Theory Pro teaches music theory and ear training using cutting-edge technology.

Music theory is probably the most daunting and challenging class freshmen music majors face. Meeting the challenges is easiest for students who’ve taken AP Music Theory or who’ve had strong music theory training in summer music programs or with private teachers.

Tom Hynes, who teaches music theory, guitar, and jazz ensembles at Azusa Pacific University, shares his best tips for meeting the challenges of music theory head-on. His ideas work best when applied as soon as you start your first music theory class.

Use a Keyboard

In my first week as a music major, I was advised to do all my theory and musicianship
work at a piano.  This was one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever been given.  I camped out in a practice room for hours at a time, using the piano for both my theory and ear training assignments.

It’s so much easier now. You can sit down under a shade tree with a small portable keyboard and earbuds…yet, so few students do.  If you aren’t already doing so, use a keyboard as much as possible.  Even if you have little keyboard background, get in the habit of touching, seeing and hearing the notes to the same degree that you use your mind to learn them.

Work in Groups

Music theory is often easier and more fun to learn in pairs or small groups. Have one person be the ‘teacher’ (impersonations permitted!), doing pertinent drills and exercises.  Keeping things fun, light and social means you’ll be more likely to practice with others.

Utilize Resources

Sometimes an outside resource, beyond the immediate lecture, texts and tutorials, can help you register a fact or concept.  There are many out there: I am particularly fond of Music Theory Pro, developed by my friend and APU colleague Dr. Joel Clifft (see his Making It Through Music Theory Parts 1 & 2).

Discover Your Own Learning Style

In music theory, there are often several different routes to a correct answer. And everyone learns and connects differently. Sometimes teachers only offer the one approach they think is best, or the one that’s their personal favorite. I, for instance, am not a ‘step-counter’, i.e., one who determines intervals as accumulations of half-steps. But some of my students are (as is my wife and my department chair). I always cover step-counting as an option, even if it is not my favorite, because it may end up being a student’s favorite. Afterall, it’s about them, not me.

Maintain Self-awareness

Self-awareness is a huge aspect of being a successful student. But it’s not always recognized by a student who takes or has been forced to take a passive role in their own learning.

This includes awareness of music around you, and in your everyday life. I encourage students to look for examples of melody and harmony all around them, not just in the music they play and sing.

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In addition to serving on the faculty at Azusa Pacific University, Tom Hynes is a performing guitarist, composer, and clinician. He also teaches jazz guitar at Idyllwild Arts Summer Program and Academy and guitar classes at St. Catherine’s Academy.

 

This is the first of an important two-part series by Dr. Joel Clifft, director of Keyboard Studies at Azusa Pacific University and adjunct professor at USC Thornton School of Music (see bio below), about why music majors are required to take music theory classes.

See Music Theory – Part 2

by Dr. Joel Clifft

Music theory is an important part of the foundation for any musician for several reasons.

First, it deepens our ability to understand the structure of music. Let’s pretend you had to give a speech in a foreign language. How important would it be to understand the meaning of the words? It would be impossible to give the speech with the appropriate inflection and pacing without having a thorough understanding of the meaning and structure of the speech and all of the words in it. Music theory, like language, enables us to understand the structure and meaning behind a musical composition.

Secondly, music theory allows us to speak with other musicians in a common language. It serves as a short-hand for referring to important points in the music. So, if the cellist says, “Let’s make the modulation more dramatic,” everyone knows which part of the music he’s referring to.

Who Benefits?

Music theory is helpful for every kind of music major. It allows composers to analyze the work of other composers so they can develop their own style. It allows music education majors to read the score and figure out where the brass section has an incorrect note written. It allows commercial music majors to improvise in an unrestricted, wide variety of styles. It allows jazz majors to transcribe solos from their favorite artists. It allows the classical pianist to understand the formal structure of Beethoven.

Our goal in requiring students to study music theory is not to simply torture them with the same hoops that we had to jump through when we went to college. A deep understanding of music theory makes a literate musician. It makes a musician who can not only speak the language of music, but read and write it as well.

How does learning music theory boost music performance?

There are two things that performers have to constantly work at –– reading music and memorizing music. A deep understanding of music theory makes both of these tasks infinitely easier.

Reading music has a lot in common with reading words. When we first learn to read words we must sound out each individual letter before we can form the entire word C – A – T, CAT. Then, over a period of time we begin to recognize the entire word with a glance. Later on we can recognize a group of words in one single thought. This is what allows us to become fluent readers. In music, groups of notes form chords, and groups of chords form phrases. Music theory is what allows us to recognize these chords and phrases and become fluent readers. Show me someone who is good at reading music and I’ll bet they also are good at music theory.

Performance majors, by and large, are required to perform their music from memory. Many young musicians rely heavily on motor memory (tactile memory). This is the most unreliable form of musical memory. Have you ever seen someone miss a single note and then completely freeze on stage? This is a result of motor memory –– the fingers only know where to go based on where they’ve been and one mistake can completely derail the performance. Harmonic memory allows us to store large sections of music and thousands of notes in our memory under just a few common chord progressions.

Performers must understand the structure of every piece they perform and this is impossible without a solid music theory background. It’s very embarrassing if your teacher says, “Start at the recap,” and you don’t know where that is. Knowing the form not only impresses your teacher though, it enables you to understand the piece as a whole. A holistic understanding of the piece has an impact on every interpretive decision you will make.

Bio:
Dr. Joel Clifft  is the director of Keyboard Studies at Azusa Pacific University. He also serves as an adjunct professor at USC Thornton School of Music. His iPhone app, Music Theory Pro, has received rave reviews from “San Francisco Classical Voice” and the KTLA news in Los Angeles. He is also an active collaborative pianist and has performed with Midori and Ma Xiaohui, among others.

See Part 2 of Making it Through Music Theory here.