Theory Helps with Reading Music: a Piano Teacher’s Insights
by Karina Leonard
Piano Academy Theory Lab Teacher
As part of the piano lesson rotation, half an hour is spent in the theory/computer lab. In the lab we have theory workbooks for each student, a piano teacher available to help and explain, and games and flashcards. Here are three ways the activities in the theory lab help with reading music:
- The theory workbooks take a step by step approach to explain the written music. Students can apply it to the keyboard with the electronic keyboards available in the lab.
- Note reading flashcards help students learn and memorize the note names and locations of the notes on the staff and keyboard, helping them to instantly recognize and play a note.
- Rhythm Cat, an i-pad educational app, uses levels and gradual introduction to more complex rhythms to help students feel the rhythm and play along with a song. The more complex concepts of beat and time signature are then easily understood and easily practiced with this fun app.
These are only just a few of the ways the theory lab helps students progress in their music reading. But each week there are different activities and ways to explore music.