Traditionally music theory is learnt out of necessity rather than desire.
But there is SO MUCH to love about music theory. We love teaching music theory…
And we want our students to love it as much as we do, so our approach is all about making music theory accessible and relevant.
So how does Theory help me?
Learning music theory enhances your knowledge of music so you can come to understand music on your own, without a teacher. This knowledge gives you deeper insights into the meanings and mechanics of music, which can inspire interpretation and personal expression.
A greater knowledge leads to a greater appreciation and love for music, which is a gift that keeps on giving.
Understanding music theory gives you options to expand into other musical activities. Opportunities such as writing your own music, or arranging music written by others.
There are countless tools that music theory can equip students with to pursue many varied musical lifestyles, or even career pathways.
Do I NEED to do a Theory Exam?
If you’re planning on doing a practical piano exam with the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB), there are compulsory theory exam pass requirements to fulfil in order to receive a certificate. These are required from Grade 6 practical levels onwards.
Theory Courses
At Prima Piano we can take students through all AMEB theory courses: Theory of Music, Musicianship or Music Craft.
COMPARE COURSES
Our Music Theory Learning Options
So often theory is squeezed into the last few minutes of lessons as an afterthought. We try to avoid this. It not only makes learning slow, it can cause problems for both the student and the teacher. It takes valuable time away from the piano lesson, and teachers have limited time to explain concepts in clear and engaging ways.
We’re focused on finding solutions to this problem so theory learning can be both engaging and convenient.
Preliminary to Grade 2, all courses.
Theory can be studied in your piano lessons, taking up a portion of the lesson each week. However, we recommend that you extend the length of your piano lesson by 15 mins to accommodate the theory.
Preliminary to Grade 6, all courses
One on one, face to face theory lessons with Geri at our King Street CBD Studio. Choose from 30min, 45min or 60min lessons.
Hi, Geri here. Composing music is one of my greatest passions. It was born out of improvising at the piano, often re-writing the repertoire I was playing at the time – to the dismay of my teacher (mum), who at the time struggled with me changing the sacred notes of the great composers. She has since come around and appreciates that reworking the compositions of others is actually a great way to learn how to compose.
As a student of piano you may already have some experience improvising or composing your own music.
But what’s next…
Knowing how to develop a composition from an idea to a finished work can be difficult. With so many possibilities on where to take your compositions it can be helpful to have a guide.
We all know composition is a subjective art form. That is why it is often very hard to find training in composition without going to university or an expensive music institute. Trust me I know, I’ve been there.
There’s no ONE way to teach it.
However, there are tips and tricks, methods and processes, that I’ve discovered that can help fuel inspiration or refine pieces. We can explore different compositional techniques, experiment with genres and mediums, and explore the endless possibilities that technology has to offer for composing.
What will lessons look like?
Lessons with Geri are at our King Street CBD Studio. Choose from 30, 45 or 60min lessons.
In the first lesson we’ll do an interview to talk about your compositional goals, so we can work out if lessons will be right for you.
No prior composition experience is necessary. All it takes is a desire to learn and see where composition can take you.