Should I Learn Theory Separately From Practice?, Looking for advice Options

[BachPensioner]

After returning to piano lessons following a 40 year gap - I am having a wonderful time; really enjoying my lessons and giving practice time prime importance. So I am making much more progress than I did as a teenager. I am learning pieces that are in the grade 5/6 lists. I have no intention of taking any exams but I do wonder if I would benefit from learning theory in additon to my piano lessons. My teacher is telling me all the technical things I need to know in relation to the piece I am learning at any one time, and is so knowledgable that I am picking up a lot as I go along. I do a certain amount of reading but without any formal plan, and I go to a lot of concerts.
BUT - I don't know what I don't know. Would learning theory improve my overall enjoyment of music (this is my main criterion) or help with my playing (I only play Bach at the moment - will try other composers when I have run of new pieces or get bored, but I might be in the coffin before that happens!). If you think there is a benefit should I go to a class (say starting in the autumn) or get one-to-one teaching?
Tricia

[skylark]

Welcome to the forums BachPensioner (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I think theory puts the practical into context. Plus many people find it very enjoyable! What about getting a theory book, have a look at what it covers, and see if you want to take it further.

You can probably teach yourself up to a point and just ask your instrument teacher anything you're not sure about.

Glad to hear you're enjoying learning again after such a long gap.

[oboist]

Welcome to the forums BachPensioner (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I think theory puts the practical into context. Plus many people find it very enjoyable! What about getting a theory book, have a look at what it covers, and see if you want to take it further.

You can probably teach yourself up to a point and just ask your instrument teacher anything you're not sure about.

Glad to hear you're enjoying learning again after such a long gap.

Yes, I'd agree. Good luck with all your music-making.

[maggiemay]

Yes, I think getting a book and reading slowly through it would be a good start.

I tend to cover theory topics "orally" at least to start with, with my students - and it sounds as though your teacher does something similar. It's almost impossible not to include a fair bit of background information / explanation / discussion anyway if you're working at grade 5 level up. You'll probably find you know more than you realise - but as you say, you can't be sure what you don't know. It is just possible there are one or two little building blocks at a lower level that aren't quite in place. Even if the foundations are all there and quite solid, it's nice to have that fact confirmed.

So pleased to hear you are enjoying your music making, and all the very best with what you're doing. Stay with the forums and let us know how it goes!

[staccato]

Or if you fancy doing something more structured why not try the Open University course A214. It's a fantastic course which includes a residential week at Durham University (one of the best weeks of my life!)

And you'll be able to try out their gorgeous Bosendorfer grand piano!

[lostchord]

Go for it!!..I'm a late starter piano player and have done ABRSM grade 3 practical exam, and 'am doing the grade 3 theory exam in just over a week. I really enjoy the theory side of it and I definitely think it helps the playing side of things - especially the exercises where one has to write out rhythmns, copy pieces of music, transpose etc. It can only do you good. The ABRSM work books are excellent so I heartily recommend those. I'm interested to see you are a Bachophile. My teacher is very keen on Bach and I'm getting to grips with my first invention at the moment. Tricky but a great piece of music, and I'm finding it a real brain work out as well. Fantastic. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

[DaisyChain]

Or if you fancy doing something more structured why not try the Open University course A214. It's a fantastic course which includes a residential week at Durham University (one of the best weeks of my life!)

And you'll be able to try out their gorgeous Bosendorfer grand piano!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap.gif) A great course and Summer school!

I only learnt practical piano to begin with, with the odd reference to the theory of music as we went along. After about six months, I felt I couldn't learn one without the other. My teacher organised alternate piano/theory lessons which worked well for me, personally.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck!

[BachPensioner]

These comments have been a great help - thank you. I had no idea that the OU was a possibility so might chase that one up and yes, it would be semsible to be a litle more structured in my reading.
Any suggestions of 'good' theory books? Are there the music theory for dummies type? I don't, however, want some of those designed for children - they have turned me off.
Tricia

[DaisyChain]

I found the "Read Music From Scratch" book very helpful when I first started. It has a CD so that you can listen to intervals and various snippets of music. It's published by Boosey and Hawkes in association with Classic FM.

As I progressed to doing the theory grades, I used the pink and blue theory books, alongside the AB theory excercise books and past papers. Even if you are not taking exams, it's always good to get hold of sample exam papers. Your tutor may be able to advise more as well.

[staccato]

These comments have been a great help - thank you. I had no idea that the OU was a possibility so might chase that one up and yes, it would be semsible to be a litle more structured in my reading.
Any suggestions of 'good' theory books? Are there the music theory for dummies type? I don't, however, want some of those designed for children - they have turned me off.
Tricia

There's also the opportunity for performance at the OU Summer school - a choir (not too serious!), really good fun and in preparation for a concert at the end of the week. I'd go again if I could!

I see DaisyChain has echoed my sentiments; which year did you go? I was there in 2005 for me... sigh!

[skylark]

The ABRSM publish a little pocket book called First Steps in Music Theory, it's around £5.95. It is split into sections for each grade, from Grade 1 up to Grade 5. Even if you don't do the exams, it's a well-structured way of learning digestible chunks of information.

The pocket book sits alongside the "pink" book called "The AB Guide to Music Theory", around £5.25. This book is categorised into chapters dealing with Rhythm, Tempo, Scales, Keys, Clefs, Grouping of Notes etc. It's comprehensive and again goes up to G5, but it's not as digestible as the pocket book.

Another book I like is called How to read Music in 10 Lessons, by Terry Burrows (about £12.99). It comes with a CD so you can hear things like intervals etc. I find that if I don't understand an explanation in the AB book, the Burrows book explains it in a different way which I then understand. And vice versa.

A lot of people really enjoy theory, and you might find you want to do the exams once you start exploring it. Try getting some past papers and see if you enjoy doing them! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[petrat]

I think that some knowledge of theory of music is essential and I am sure that you realise this too. When you begin learning and playing new pieces it is important to read (not read and play yet) the work through first. You will spot its time and key signatures, certain chord and melodic features and patterns, dynamic markings, cadences and phrasings and tempo marks and changes etc. Also you will be able to understand the form of the piece and all of this makes for a more intelligent reading and eventual performance. If you always relate your newly acquired theory to your playing it will make so much more sense than dry theory alone. Have fun with your playing. Perhaps you will be able to come to a forum event sometime. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[BachPensioner]

Thanks petrat - yes, I am having fun with my learning as it is - getting back to muisic has been a life changing process and learning the piano is priceless - I get so much happiness from it, during the practice times as well as enornous satisfaction when I realise how much I have achieved.
Tricia

[skylark]

getting back to muisic has been a life changing process

A lot of adult learners and re-starters have found this, including myself, it's great isn't it!

I see from your signature that you played recorder 40 years ago. There are lots of adult recorder players on this forum, it's a very popular instrument amongst adults and it's more sociable than piano. If you wanted to get back into playing the recorder, I'm sure you'd get lots of advice from members of this forum (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[SueHM]

I've played the piano all my life and took grade 5 theory as a child. Since taking up teaching nearly 2 years ago I have gone back to learning theory and I am finding it so interesting and satisfying - so many things seem to fall into place.

I think it's perfectly possible to teach yourself by working through the books suggested above, with the occasional reference to your teacher for tricky bits. I think it helps to sit at a piano while you are doing the theory exercises so that you can play chords etc. It brings the theory to life and helps develop your aural skills too. You'll find lots of examples from Bach in the Harmony in Practice book (big orange workbook, designed for grades 6 - 8) - the more I learn, the more fantastic I realise he is/was...

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