The ability to identify and write scales, chords, rhythms, intervals, key/ time signatures or styles of music is essential for any instrument including singing especially in the higher grades. This can be taught or revised to any student playing any instrument because music theory traditionally comes hand in hand with learning an instrument. Whether students enjoy playing in a group or playing as a soloist some music theory skills will be required if they chose to take it to the next level.
VCE music students must do music theory to pass units 1-4 VCE music. We offer help to any students struggling to cope with the workload or, those who struggle to understand or hear the differences or similarities that separate one scale/ chord or interval from another. Many students who have been learning an instrument for years will already possess the ability to tell the distinction of many chords, scales or intervals aurally, but many still struggle with writing them- remember just because students may have been playing them for years does not necessarily mean they will be experts when it comes to writing them.
Some students find music theory easier than others but those who don’t aren’t necessarily “bad” it could just be a lack of focus or a lack of understanding of what the question is really asking. If this is you or you know someone who has problems with theory do not worry, help is always just a phone call, text or email away.
For beginners or younger musicians in training ages 5-15- your level of music theory is based on your current progress in your chosen instrument and will be typically a year below your current grade. For example if you are doing piano Grade 3 you will be expected to also be completing music theory Grade 2 and revising the previous grade since the theory books typically build on what has come before. For the ones who have only recently started piano (or another instrument), we only do a small amount of writing at a time which will be gradually increased as their skills progress. Music theory is usually not a pre-requisite until students start Grade 1 in their chosen instrument so until then they just practice the basics such as: drawing the two clefs, drawing or tracing the different notes and rests, recognising the stave etc. If they can write, identify and remember the more advanced information such as the different time signatures, key signatures, triads or scales then that makes for one happy teacher!! just remember there’s no stress or pressure in these early stages, the skills required to develop music theory happens in the student’s own time with patience and encouragement.