Our daughter is fed up with her music theory teacher because last term he actually turned up at 25% of his lessons! He taught 4 Saturday lessons in 6 months although the borough did supply a replacement on 2 ocassions. 6 lessons in 6 months! This term the borough has found a new teacher but unfortunately, it is timetabled just before her evening violin lesson which requires further travel, too. Will be too tiring because her violin lesson that follows the theory is long, she complained. So last night, she asked me whether she could teach herself? I thought she could try as she is an independent and determined sort of kid. We cannot help her though as we are not musical.

I remember Liz suggesting THEORY TIME and THEORY IS FUN? Is the first enough???

Or do we have to get both? Liz and other teachers of very young kids - What do you all think?

"Take Grade 5 first time" was also suggested as a good book but it'd too hard I guess, as she has only started music lessons last autumn? She has so far finished the ABRSM grade 1 workbook and halfway the grade 2 one but then Eric Taylor's accompaniment which most teachers use looks too adultish? She's only a Year 4 kid (8+ yrs old).

Which one should we get for her?

Thanks.

Theory Time is good because it has the answers included - although thats the reason I don't use it! If your daughter is working independently, then it may be useful for her. Theory is Fun is good in that it explains everything thoroughly and simply so it is very easy to understand. Can her violin teacher not help her with theory too? Its not that easy to do theory without a teacher, especially someone so young.

Take 5 and Pass First Time is a good revision book but its not a workbook and everyone needs practice at answering questions on each topic as they go along.

Thanks, noodle. The violin teacher actually told me he believes she can do it all by herself! He's so long-winded during his own practical lesson cumsight-reading cum aurals (but no theory as far as we can see) and always overshot the time!

By the way, are you suggesting that she uses both books?

Hi,

I teach approx 120 pupils a week for a music service. About 95 of those are primary school children, and I have them all using theory is Fun. Theya re fantastic books, explains it really well, and are, as the title says, fun!! In group lessons, I get them to do the theory whilst another child is playing. They love the books so much that they don't want to play when it's their turn, they just want to do the book!!!!

Absolutely, but Theory Time might be better in this case as Tess's daughter is doing theory without a teacher, and the answers would be useful for her to check that she is o the right track.

Do have a look at Music Theory Made Easy by Lina Ng. The publisher is Rhythm MP. It has pictures and its easy to comprehend and i use it for children as young as 6 yrs old who is doing Grade 1. For pregrade 1 , try using the Theory Made easyfor little children level 1 and 2. it has stickers and the kids just love it.

Thanks, Liz and ALL...

I think he'll just buy her THEORY TIME first and just let her get on with it. If she wants more later, then he'll get her THEORY IS FUN, too.

Glad we got that sorted!

At the risk of causing confusion when you've already made up your mind, have a look at both. Theory is Fun is a great book, but some people might find the pictures a bit juvenile.

Anyone fancy joining a campaign to have Theory is Fun go all the way up to Grade 8?

[quote=Deborah,Sep 23 2005, 09:17 AM]
some people might find the pictures a bit juvenile.



"A bit" juvenile? You mean teenagerish? Or kiddish?

I think they're fine

Content is more important than a few silly pictures, and Theory is Fun is an excellent book. I have had GCSE students use these little books. Yes please, it would help simplify theory up to grade 8! Count me in Deborah!!

As a matter of curiousity, where do you folks get your theory books? Boosey & Hawkes? My hubby usually get stuff from the Boosey shop whereas I prefer Ackerman Music by mail order, whichever is cheaper!

So much depends on the individual - a sixty-something friend who came to me for a few basic theory lessons was charmed by the elephant cartoons in Theory is Fun 1, whereas I don't really think it would be Male Teenage Clarinet Student's thing somehow!

Tess, buy the books wherever you can. If your hubby can easily purchase them on his way to or from work, do that, but mail order is just as good in my experience (or sometimes better!).

My students get their own books in our local music shop. Occasionally I order from musicroom.com.

[quote=Deborah,Sep 23 2005, 05:16 PM]
So much depends on the individual - a sixty-something friend who came to me for a few basic theory lessons was charmed by the elephant cartoons in Theory is Fun 1, whereas I don't really think it would be Male Teenage Clarinet Student's thing somehow!




Violinutter

This one is clearly set out but I think that it needs some teacher input as it is have few explanations.
Also some of the questions are not too clearly worded and so it's not easy to work out what is required.

Hi Tess
I'was wondering if you had thought of another option .. you working alongside her in the theory?
If you are interested enough to post and read on the forums ( I am uncertain if you play yourself) then why " just let her get on with it."

I home educate my son and venture into all sorts of areas of learning I have no prior experience of ( most recently covalent bonds in chemistry!!) we study, read about things and question together.

Theory would be no different .. maybe not sitting beside her but at least reading the work with her, questioning, getting her to explain things you 'pretend ' not to fully understand ( kids love teaching parents!) .. these are all ways to share and support her learning.

Maybe even strech yourself and get 2 copies of the book and actually do it with her ... teach an old dog something new eh? That's what my son and I are doing with a French course ( we are on year 3 together now and each do the work)

I somehow think " just let her get on with it." sounds lonely .. a poor child, hunched over boring theory all alone by the light of a candle in a cold dark attic

Think about it .. for me I have found it a pleasure and a privilege to be part of my kid's learning.

Musicman's Mum

I've just started using a combination of Theory is fun and Theory made easy. The former is great for explanation but doesn't have enough exercises to work through in my opinion, and the latter has lots of exercises but is a bit short on the explanation side.

A in C,
Does TME has the answers at the back of the book?

Tess

Hi Musicman's Mum...
Thanks. Your idea sounds good. It did occur to me as my friends home -edu their kids, too. But I had dismissed the idea as I have a demanding special needs son of whom I'm the sole carer. However, now that you've mentioned it, I thought why not espy IF I can take a slower pace?

But what do you think if you knew I don't play a thing (!!!) but she's already half way thr grade 2? Will it still work? I'll have to catch up first, won't I? Any thoughts?

Tess

No, unfortunately not. I mark their answers in their lessons, and we go over anything they haven't understood.

Tess
I would say still go for it. My son did 1-4 1/2 theory with me. He had a tutor for the last part of preparing for grade 5 and has continue with him for grade 6
I do understand about the time pressures, especially in your circumstances.
Maybe in your case less actually working with her and more 'slipstream' interest, encouragement and questions while you are involved in doing the dinner etc and she is busy at the table.

As for not playing you couldn't play less than me .. I have literally just started piano, within the last month, for the first time in my life and am still in C position, just putting two hands together ... who cares, I'm having fun and I'll get there (one day).

I think you will be surprised at how much you have just picked up listening at lessons etc - you will know more than you think!

I can see advantages for you - she is young, there is no rush, it will be one less lesson to pay for and rush off to in your busy week. It doesn't matter if it takes a bit longer than if she were having 'proper'lessons. You will know when she has outgrown your teaching be it grade 3, 6, or 8 - until then do it

I won't wish you luck bcause you won't need it

Tess, so this is an ideal time to take up an instrument?? Hmmm might be a bit difficult fitting it all in, but you're never too old

Tess, you could do this time permitting. It's effectively what I have done with son who is now half way through theory in practise 5. He does the work & asks me if it's right. I look at it - try & make sense of it - get him to explain it to me if I can't. I've learn't loads and I'm sure him explaining stuff to me has helped him too. I've offered to sit the exam with him when the time comes for moral support, but he said he doesn't need me to (phew!).

I find that incredible and admirably so. I mean, I thought you don't play any instrument? Right? So, you can STILL check his work till grade 5 level??? Gosh, I was very doubtful when I started this thread that I can be of any help at all to VN but things look very different to me now, now that I see all these amazing mums, wow. No wonder Steve seems to think there's no such thing as a perfect man but there's perfect women.

Mmmm, I'm beginning to wonder whether I should first get myself Theory Is Funand Theory Time, and work them through till grades 1 and 2 are finished before I start to help her with grade 2 and so on?

Janexxx, I am SORELY tempted! I like all string instruments (when played well).

Well I'm learning the recorder now which I did do a little of in junior school, so I knew the notes of the treble clef and with children playing cello, piano and viola between them I've got familiar with bass, tenor and alto clefs. I think doing the theory is what's given me the confidence to try an instrument again to be honest. I have plans to get his new piano teacher to mark the books to make sure they're not too far off, but I don't honestly think they are. There are examples given and with a bit of thought it is mostly do-able, some bits, like transposing and intervals I find very easy others like like changing between simple and compound time signatures and chords are much harder (luckily son seems to know what he's doing here). Lots of stuff like performance directives & note values you can just look up. If you can draw the circle of fifths and a keyboard a lot of the rest of it becomes clearer. The bit we both struggle with is the composing.