 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: andrewsong
Date: 2012-10-23 15:56
Hello all. I am teaching music theory to beginners in Chicago as part of a university organization. I was wondering if you all had a particular series of books that is good for teaching music theory. It's quite exciting to teach someone how to read music.
Thanks.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2012-10-23 16:10
I'm no teacher but have found "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory" by Michael Miller of more help than any other source I've tried.........
Bob Draznik
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-23 20:41
Are you teaching people how to read music? Or are you teaching people that know how to read music the principles of chord/scale relationship and composition?
Drew S.
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2012-10-23 21:11
As did BobD, I got the "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory", and it's served me very well.
CarlT
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-24 04:48
Well, first off, lets get the terminology clear. Music Theory is an advanced course in music, geared to teach students concepts including voice leading, tonal centers, and chord/scale relationships. Reading Music is seeing notes on a piece of staff paper, and knowing what they mean. The advanced students can even play them as they read.
Could you please elaborate on your situation? This is a clarinet board, so am I right in assuming you play clarinet and your students will have a clarinet in their hands as you teach them? Are your their only instructor? Will there another instructor there with you? Are you teaching multiple students at a time, or one at a time? What is your clarinet experience? Have you been given any guidelines from the organization?
Drew S.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2012-10-24 12:32
I suppose it depends how one looks at it or defines music theory. It is a very broad topic. In the same way, young children in school study Math which would mean basic arithmetic. To someone at the college level or beyond, it would mean something much more advanced and intense.
To me, music theory can mean the basics of reading, writing and notating music all the way to advanced harmonic analysis.
Post Edited (2012-10-24 12:34)
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-24 13:33
Music Theory to musicians is as described above. Reading music is as described above. In your analysis, is reading the Spanish language a theory? Music Theory is a broad topic, but it does not include reading music, which is really the course that will be taught.
Drew S.
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Author: Campana
Date: 2012-10-24 13:45
I think a lot depends on the instrument. Chords, major or minor,7th, diminished or dominant etc is the stuff of beginners for guitarists but can be well down the path of learning for other players.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2012-10-24 15:43
To me, it would all be about what level of theory one is talking about. Any basic books on basic theory that I have seen and taught from have included chapters on reading and notation as one would need a grounding in basics before proceeding to more advanced topics. If we are talking about advanced study, a book such as Piston Harmony assumes previous knowledge.
I don't wish to hijack this thread with an argument about semantics, so I will move on.
Thanks for your thoughts.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2012-10-24 16:37
Wikipedia has a very succinct section explaining what music theory covers - and it covers from pitch to ear training! Pick your poison - it's there. It is most certainly NOT limited to harmonies & composition. From Wikipedia:
1 Fundamentals of music
1.1 Pitch
1.2 Scales and modes
1.3 Consonance and dissonance
1.4 Rhythm
1.5 Chord
1.6 Melody
1.7 Harmony
1.8 Texture
1.9 Timbre
1.10 Expressive qualities
1.10.1 Dynamics
1.10.2 Articulation
1.11 Form or structure
2 Theories of harmonization
2.1 Four-part writing
2.2 Music perception and cognition
2.3 Serial composition and set theory
2.4 Musical semiotics
3 Music subjects
3.1 Notation
3.2 Mathematics
3.3 Analysis
3.4 Ear training
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-24 18:09
@ Mark: A little misleading, as that is the Table of Contents, not Wikipedia's definition.
Wikipedia definition: "Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods. In a grand sense, music theory distils and analyzes the fundamental parameters or elements of music—rhythm, harmony (harmonic function), melody, structure, form, texture, etc. Broadly, music theory may include any statement, belief, or conception of or about music.[1] A person who studies these properties is known as a music theorist. Some have applied acoustics, human physiology, and psychology to the explanation of how and why music is perceived."
The main point, Music Theory is the study of "how music works" not "how to interpret the visual representation of sound to classical instrumentalists". It is an advance music subject, and yes, there are many branches to it's tree.
Anyhow, this thread has been "hijacked" because the original poster is unfamiliar with terminology.
To be clear, the real point of this thread as I understand it is Andrewsong is a new music teacher who has never taught lessons before, and is looking for advice on how to teach beginner instrumentalists (probably clarinetists since this is a clarinet board) how to read music (and probably play if it's an instrumental class).
If I am wrong, I hope Andrewsong will repost his exact situation so that we may clearly direct him to the benefit of himself and his students.
Drew S.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2012-10-24 18:56
DrewSorensenMusic wrote:
> The main point, Music Theory is the study of "how music works"
> not "how to interpret the visual representation of sound to
> classical instrumentalists".
I don't know -
> It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks
> to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques
> across or within genres, styles, or historical periods.
seems to me to pretty much equate to
"how to interpret the visual representation of sound to classical instrumentalists".
And I believe that clarity in semantics is especially important when teaching.
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-25 00:04
It just seems like that is such a huge stretch of the term. I mean, Music Theory as related to the different interpretations of written music between time periods, say, interpretations of written music between Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods, would fit. But to say a note in treble clef second line up is a g is "Theory" just seems like such a stretch, that the term "Music Theory" may as well be thrown out, as it is too broad to be used sensibly.
In my eyes, music is a language. It can be written, and those phrases I would not say are "Theory" but are a representation of sound on paper. They are literal facts, not theories to be tested. Theory can be studied on how two languages relate, or how sentences are constructed, or how to make them pleasing to the ear. I just don't know that if I see an etude in front of me, if I'd classify that as theorizing, or just plain reading.
Drew S.
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Author: Buster
Date: 2012-10-25 01:34
Drew,
I'd suppose that the possibility to theorize an etude placed on your stand while simultaneously 'just plain reading' it is commensurate with ones ability.
Likewise, I was unaware that musical notation wasn't merely the best approximation of what can be heard.
Now let's stop preaching and let it slide.
-Jason
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-25 01:53
It's really not a big deal, I thought Mark and I and others were just having an intelligent conversation on the terminology of a subject that we all have a mutual affection. However, I have stated my point, and would probably be running in circles if I responded again. I really had intentions on providing advice to AndrewSong who started this thread, but perhaps he is busy or overwhelmed. I'm somewhat convinced his students would benefit if he was directed as to the best way to present the information to them.
Drew S.
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Author: Katfish
Date: 2012-10-25 14:09
Didn't Kjos music publish a series of work books by Charles Peters on theory and harmony?
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Author: andrewsong
Date: 2012-10-28 14:08
I am teaching students around 12 years old how to read music. They are receiving saxophone lessons from someone else as this is a University program to provide free music lessons to children in underprivileged areas. I am responsible for teaching them how to read music.
I am looking for books to teach them how to read music.
Sorry for the confusion all.
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-28 14:41
Don't worry about the confusion, this is a discussion board, and we all like to voice our opinions.
As for your situation, you will want to start your students on a band methods book. Since you are new to this, you might want to talk to the saxophone teacher, and see what he is using. This way, all the students have the possibility of performing some of the exercises with each other. It also ensures that everyone will be on relatively the same page and skill level. If the saxophone teacher does not have a plan, here are a few suggestions of good band method books:
1. Belwin 21st Century Band http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Belwin-21st-Century-Band-Method-Level-1/1415021 I like the look of this book, and grew up on Band.
2. Standard of Excellence http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Standard-of-Excellence-Book-1-Clarinet/304760# Also appears to be a good starting methods book.
So do you play an instrument? Are you in university? What degree are you studying if you are? Can you elaborate more on you?
Drew S.
Post Edited (2012-10-28 14:43)
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Author: andrewsong
Date: 2012-10-28 16:29
I play clarinet and was seated high in All-State if that's any indication of my abilities. I'm a freshman biology major although I continue to play in orchestra on campus.
As part of the university organziation, none of us are professional music teachers. We are all students who are volunteering our time to either give lessons for instruments/learning how to read music.
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-28 18:37
Very Good,
You'll probably want to play your clarinet with your student, so he/she can hear what a good clarinetist is supposed to sound like. If you follow the program in the books I listed above, you shouldn't have a problem getting them the information in a clear and effective way. The exercises add notes and rhythms little by little, so that the student is not overwhelmed. Address any questions that they have in the lesson, and you should be good to go.
Good luck
Drew S.
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