Music Theory Mayhem…

Understanding the art of how music is written is a daunting task for most, the challenge of music theory studies with little guidance is nothing less than mayhem at its best.

During my studies with Wendelken Studio of the Arts I reached a level that required I sit for an intermediate and an advanced level music theory exam. After a painful experience as an adult taking a couple of the ten-week music theory courses to prepare for these co-requisite exams with the Royal Conservatory of Music my heart went out to the middle school and high school students who were in the classes with me. I spoke to the owner of the studio and offered to take on the challenge of teaching the classes.

For those that are not familiar with music theory I would equate it to learning to read/write and understand the grammar of a language.   As children we first learn to speak, to participate actively by practice, and trial and error, while communicating with our parents. Later as we begin school we learn to read, write, and understand the grammar that supports the language we speak. Music is a language of its own, learning the notes is one thing, understanding how it is written is music theory.  For those that understand the language of music the following bumper sticker makes perfect sense!

Want the sticker? Find it here!

Step one was reviewing tests from previous years, reorganizing the curriculum, then preparing materials to teach the classes.  I spent the summer invested in my task in preparation to teach the classes in the fall to prepare the students for the exam in December.  The challenge of walking this road was captivating, despite working full time and three high school boys of my own at home at the time!  Based on the short-turn around time we opted to use the current workbook to assign homework.

Walking through that first year of preparing the courses, then teaching in a classroom was quite an experience, each year thereafter was significantly easier. Test scores rose an average of 10% the first year and the students maintained that average, or better, from that point on so we considered the project a success.  The pace charts below provide an outline of the syllabus for each of the classes.

L1_Basic_Pace Chart 2015              L2_A Pace Chart 2015               L3 A Pace Chart 2015

In 2014 I moved to Colorado and brought the courses on line offering both a self-paced and an online course.  The Royal Conservatory recently revamped their test structure so the mayhem continues as I rework the curriculum and add interactive elements to the self-paced modules as I  prepare for the fall of 2018.   Stay tuned for updates on the online course and the current revisions underway.

February 25, 2018