Author: Michelle Tuesday

What is music theory? Why do I need it? Music theory is the reasoning behind how music works. It starts with the fundamentals, and as you work through concepts you form a deeper understanding of what exactly you are hearing in the music you listen to.

If someone asked you to describe a painting, but you had never been taught the names of any colors, would you be able to describe it?

Music theory starts with the notes on the staff, basic rhythms, and articulation marks. Notes are like the letters in a sentence, with rhythm being the number of syllables in the words and the articulation marks representing punctuation. These are the basic elements everyone needs to be able to read music.

Once you understand the notes and how to play or sing them, you will begin to see patterns in the music. The next level of music theory helps you identify those patterns, like repetition in the music or different chord progressions. While music is an art and can exist in many different forms, there are some common patterns that exist in many songs. Understanding the pattern in one may help you understand another song as well.

Music theory teaches you why music has different effects on us when we hear it. What is it about a song that makes it sound happy? Or sad? Or angry?

Perhaps most importantly, music theory teaches you how to perform well. If you do not understand articulation marks or the history of a piece, you may be ignoring things that contribute to how the composer wanted the music to sound. Once you understand all that is written on the page, you can use your own knowledge of musical elements to develop your own style.

Without music theory, musical traditions would never have been passed on. There is no way we would know what a piece written before the advent of recording devices was meant to sound like.

Music theory is an essential part of learning music and being a well-rounded musician.

Want to learn music but don’t know where to begin? Here’s some instrument inspiration to get you started!

Piano
Piano is a great instrument for all ages and you can learn to play any genre of music on it! Play by yourself or accompany a friend! Possibilities are endless with piano, and there’s something in it for everyone! Enroll in lessons and learn the chords to your favorite song, how to kick it old school with Mozart, or even how to write your own music!

Drums
Do you find yourself bobbing your head to the beat of the music in the car? Are you energetic and confident? Drums might be the instrument for you! The drummer in a band keeps the whole group on track and plays awesome rhythms that get the crowd dancing.

Guitar
Always wanted to be a rockstar? Guitar is a great instrument for all ages, and you get to choose between a rocking electric or a soulful acoustic, or who knows, maybe both! Learn to play chords and you can sing songs with your friends!

Voice
Find yourself singing in the shower or in the car on the way to school? Consider taking voice lessons! Lessons will help strengthen your voice and control your breathing so you can belt it out along with the greats.

Violin
Are you a leader, not a follower? Are you high spirited and dedicated? Violin is a great option for you! Violinists help lead others in groups but also shine bright as soloists. You might be the next violin prodigy but you don’t know till you try!

Of course, there are tons of other instruments out there. Stop by Michelle Tuesday Music School, locations in Gahanna and Lewis Center, to learn more about music lessons and the different instruments we offer!

 

It’s almost time for school to start again, and you should consider adding weekly music lessons to your family’s routine. Studies have shown that learning music helps kids with focus, counting skills, and spatial awareness while also unlocking their creativity!

When a child learns a musical instrument, they learn how to use a variety of skills all at once. Learning to read music helps with the alphabet for younger students while it encourages adaptability for older students. Reading music is like learning another language, and it takes time and patience but unlocks a whole new world!

Playing a musical instrument is great for energetic kids. In lessons, kids sit but still get to move. They have to focus on the movement of their fingers, the pace and strength of their breathing, or their internal sense of rhythm, depending on the instrument. For most kids, playing an instrument allows them to “get the wiggles out” by concentrating their movements to make music!

Playing music is great for the anxious child as well. Performing in front of others can be nerve-wracking, but it boosts a child’s confidence in themselves and their abilities. As they get older, they will have an easier time performing music for an audience, and will get more comfortable in front of a crowd. Additionally, many kids thrive under routine and setting a practice schedule encourages self-discipline.

There are tons of musical instruments, so your child is bound to find one that is right for them. Even though the back to school schedule can be a little hectic, consider enrolling your child in lessons today. The benefits will last a lifetime, and will help your child in many different aspects of school.

For more information, visit http://www.michelletuesday.com/learning-music/music-lessons/

Katie Ball, Gahanna Computer Lab Lead

MTMS is excited to announce that Mr. Clay Hammond will joining MTMS as an instructor! Clay has been a substitute instructor for MTMS for years, so maybe you’ve already met him!

Clay is a founding member of the Divertimento Flute Quartet (which our own Dr. Angela Heck Mueller also plays in!). He owns Hammond Flute Repair and Studio, and plays flute and piccolo in the Westerville Symphony.

Here’s some fun facts to get to know him better:

• Some of his favorite songs are “Change Your Mind” by The Killers, “Who’s Lovin’ You” by Michael Buble, and “It All Fades Away” from “The Bridges of Madison County” by Jason Robert Brown
• Clay has been singing since he was 3 years old, because his dad is a choir church director!

There is no doubt that technology has an increasing presence in everyone’s daily lives. Through access to technology, music can be composed, shared, discussed, and listened to on a multitude of platforms. Back in Mozart’s day no one could have ever imagined YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Music. So how do we find a balance between music and tech in the modern era while still appreciating the roots established by the musical greats before us?

As musicians, the Internet provides more opportunities than ever before. It is now easier to find an ensemble or a gig, and with websites like the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP) we can find sheet music online within a matter of seconds.

How does it affect how we learn music? The methods of music theory education are becoming more all-encompassing in today’s times. Teachers around the world can share their curricula with each other, and there are more platforms that students can use to fit their learning style. For visual learners, there are hundreds of music theory videos online, because not everyone learns very well with the conventional book and paper style. Almost any piece of music can be played back on command using the Internet, helping strengthen students’ aural skills with pieces that may be above their personal ability level.

Music history is now more accessible than it ever has been. Musicians can easily do research on a piece they are playing and understand the composer’s background as well as stylistic details from the time period to incorporate into their performance.

With the invention of MIDI technology (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), musicians can play electronic instruments and have their music transcribed or recorded into a computer rather than write all of the notes and chords by hand. This kind of technology allows for remixes, which reimagine songs and breathe new life into them.

The question may be asked, is all of this technological advancement drawing us farther from the musical traditions of the greats? Bach never got to use Finale or Logic Pro and he’s arguably one of the greatest of all time. Musicians today don’t have to go through the painstaking process of writing out all of their compositions on paper and seeking out others to offer help or critique. But that is more of a help than a hindrance. Technology is making all of the transcription processes easier, allowing for more effort to be put into the creativity and the musicality of a piece. With sites like SoundCloud, musicians who are just getting started can share their work with each other and actually have a chance at making a name for themselves.

So how do we keep this momentum going?

1. Take advantage of the age you live in. Stream an album or two from genres you are less familiar with. Expand your horizons and gain a broader appreciation for all the music that is out there today.
2. Share your own music with the world and accept the critique of others through the Internet. Be sure to check out other artists like you, you might be able to learn from them! Someone out there today is the next great composer. Maybe they’re in your SoundCloud feed.
3. Find a balance. Continue to support your local bands and symphonies, but also use technology to listen to artists from across the world. Practice your instrument “in real life”, but also try your hand at MIDI instruments and mixing music.

How do you feel about technology and music? Comment your thoughts and we can keep the conversation going.

Katie Ball, MTMS Gahanna Computer Lab Lead