Teaching theory with piano

[dj aurora]

Hello everybody. I'm new here.

I was wondering what kind of programs and books do you guys recommend for teaching theory along with piano? I've been looking at some and have been impressed with many of them. Many of them are in the Alfred piano series. I was wondering what you guys think about the various books and things out there. Thanks.

[pianistimo]

sometimes older books explain things better.  if you don't want to buy a lot - go into the library and find the oldest books you can and photocopy.  take hindemith's tonal harmony.  who can beat that book.  well.  maybe i'm old fashioned - but i've found a lot of theory books that are step-by-step in the library that go way beyond the modern method books.

ps - i used bastien for beginner/intermediate to get them started. 

found for myself - i'm really liking the charles s. peters and paul yoder - 'master theory.'  they come in different levels and are very focused.  much more for older students than younger because you do not have enough repetition for the younger students.

imo, younger students need to write each concept out on several pages to get whatever idea.  you can't just write one chord and say 'done.'  but, for someone returning to theory - this master theory book is great because it refreshes what you learned the first time.

[pianistimo]

with younger children - i'd stick to a plan that matches whatever they are playing.  for instance, don't wander too far from:

time sig:  2/4 3/4 and 4/4
whole, half, dotted-half, quarter, and eighth notes and rests
dynamics: piano/forte, accent, slur, staccato, tied notes, repeat sign, fine, dc al fine, fermata, a tempo
recognizing major and minor chords and the basic pattern of chords as you go up the M and m scale.
intervals
writing two measure melodies

this all would be considered preparatory level.  you can draw a keyboard and put x's on the notes you want named.  write the notes out on the staff and draw a keyboard.  write where (and what =letter) the first note is on the keyboard and have student write the second one.  add the sharps to make a  X scale.  name five-finger patterns (written out).  add up counts for each note and rest - write the sum.  match key words to symbols.  find a piece the student has never seen and ask questions:  name the key, how many counts in each measure, what would be the time signature, what kind of rest gets X count, name intervals that are circled, etc.  also, some questions can begin with what measure number is being discussed so that the student gets used to counting the measures.  remind them that sometimes the first measure is not complete - so not to count it as measure 1.  show them how the last beats of the piece may complete the first measure if the piece is repeated.   

the next level (level I) would be getting into recognizing key signatures in five or six major keys:  C, G, D, A, E, B (F)
chords and triads blocked and broken
primary triads
root, first, second inversion
damper ped
cresc
decresc
mp
mf
pp
ff
octave above/below  8va---------i
tenuto/stress
first and second endings
repetition
chromatic scale
forms of minor scale (natural, harmonic, melodic)

questions can be more detailed - but similar.  wider ranges of notes to identify.  explaining patterns of W and 1/2 steps.  major key signatures and how to quickly identify (two ways:  by 'next to the last flat, or next letter/1/2 step up from last sharp' or number of lines.  for instance - G has a continuous line and has one sharp, D - you have to use two pencil strokes - and = two sharps,  A = three lines = three sharps,  E= four lines =four sharps, B = five lines if you write like a roman B with triangles).  primary triads with spaces to write each letter of the triad side by side (adding in necessary sharps or flats).  adding more complicated rhythms, writing out all the major and minor scales, more musical symbols, analyzing a piece of  music and answering questions.

[keyofg]

Dj,

I have used so many different theory books that are ok.  But about a year ago - I came across Piano Theory by Snell - and in my opinion - they are the best.

Of course - Alfred has been around a long time and they know what they are doing.  I have used them before too - it seems to me that their theory is to reinforce the same concepts continually.  Some people need it - some people don't.

I would check out Piano Theory Fundamentals - and see what you think about them.
Not all theory books are made specifically for the piano - so this is a plus.

[cjp_piano]

Keith Snell (Fundamentals of Piano Theory)
Mark Sarnecki (Elementary Music Theory and Elementary Music Rudiments)
Grace Vandendool (Keyboard Theory)