How to Incorporate Music Theory Into Your Musical Studies
By Jane Kozhevnikova
Piano faculty at Kalamazoo Music School and jazz piano/composition faculty at Jazz and Creative Institute
Oftentimes, we are well on our way to learning how to play our instrument but have left music theory far behind. Even at music conservatories, the collegiate level, there are separate classes for music theory and aural skills (ear training). So, it makes sense that we are always learning this separately from practicing our instrument. While some naturally gifted musicians in the past have had successful careers without being able to read music or knowing chords, most of us still need music theory to be the best musician we can be. The best way to learn theory is to connect it to your practicing.
There are many different ways to build your personal connection with music theory when you practice. It’s important to find your own associations since we are all so unique when it comes to learning music. Some theory methods will generalize that a major chord sounds “happy” and a minor chord sounds “sad,” but what if it doesn’t sound that way to you? Other ways to associate harmonic qualities (ex. major or minor, etc.) with a chord is to:
figure out how the triad sounds to you personally and give it names or meaning.
add the seventh degree to the triad and notice how it changes the “mood” of the chord for yourself.
learn how to hear single notes within the chord.
imagine the difference in how the chord sounds if it’s played on piano versus a brass section, for example.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses when it comes to playing and to music theory. The key is to identify those strengths and weaknesses and get comfortable approaching the weaknesses. For example, if you do not feel comfortable transcribing music (writing down what you hear), work more on that aspect. One thing that can help you build a better connection between what is on the page and what you hear is to find some written transcriptions and to study them. Ask your teacher for help with this if you need it. In fact, if you are not confident in any aspect of music theory, do not hesitate to ask your teachers and peers about it. It’s a great way to find different solutions to the problems we all face.
Some more tips to learn theory in a practical way and become a well-rounded musician:
whenever you work on a piece of music, try to apply several different approaches.
if you have sheet music, read what is on the page and then analyze the intervals and chords used in the composition. Think about the form of the piece.
find as many recordings as you can of the piece and analyze how different musicians interpreted the music. Experiment with your own interpretation.
As always, every musician has their own journey of learning to play, including you. Try out some of these techniques today or ask a friend or teacher for help to get started!