Q. I'm currently a sophomore in high school and I've been thinking about majoring in Music Theory in college. Next year I will be taking AP Music Theory in high school. I've been playing music since I was in kindergarten. I played piano for 6 years, clarinet for 1, flute for 4, and I taught myself a bit of guitar. I am also a professional singer and a dancer. I love music and I was just wondering what sort of classes that are required for Music Theory majors, what is expected of them, how hard it is and if this is a good idea for me. Feel free to ask any questions. Thanks
A. Hey,
I study in the a Music Degree in the UK so it may be slightly different, but here are some of the 'theoretical' aspects of my course.
Advanced Music Theory - This class focuses on all things theoretical - Jazz Harmony, Voice Leading, Scales & Modes, Chords (extensions, inversions etc.) and Compositional Aspects.
Aural/Ear Training - This class focuses on the implementation of theory - Identification of Chords (Major/Minor, Extensions, Inversions) Rhythmic Identification, Scale Identification, Metronome Practice, Interval Identification, Time Signature Recognition.
Composition - This class is, essentially, the study of Harmony in practice and helps you learn how and when to use these theoretical concepts and most importantly of all, what EMOTIONAL RESPONSES you can evoke by using them. After all that's what Music is all about isn't it? :)
Improvisation - This ties all of the above aspects together and allows you to develop through applying all you have learned in a creative environment.
Just remember that the key principal is practice, maintenance and most importantly to enjoy it. It is technical and demanding at times but you sound to me like you are ready to study it, and you obviously love it. So I say go for it!
I hope this helps.
How do you play guitar chords on the piano?
Q. There are a lot of songs I like that I want to learn on piano, but I don't know how. I can play piano by reading notes, have studied music theory, and can play a melody of a song by ear, but I don't know how to play guitar. If I had the guitar chords/tabs for a song, would I be able to play the song on the piano using them? (And how..?) Thanks (:
A. Guitar chords and piano chords are exactly the same. But when you read guitar chords and tabs, sometimes they are showed differently. It will show the six strings and dots. All you need to do is find the guitar fingerings. It is actually very simple. Then you see what notes those chords are and play them on the piano. (:
How long will it take to be able to read piano music?
Q. I would like to be able to look at a basic piece of music and play it... Nothing too advanced. I can play guitar by tabs and chord sheets, but would like to be able to play simple pieces of music on the piano. For someone not trying to learn piano seriously, would lessons or learning by books on music theory be better? Thanks so much.
A. I've been playing guitar for about seven years, and then I tried to start learning piano. Piano has bass cleft, it is the most confusing thing. I could sit there for hours and look at an A note and it's something totally different. Haha. So If you're not used to reading notes yet, it should only take about eight months to be able to look at a piece of piano music and play it. I say lessons. But that's just my preference. Good luck.
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Title : What is expected from Music Theory majors in college?
Description : Q. I'm currently a sophomore in high school and I've been thinking about majoring in Music Theory in college. Next year I will be t...