To Start Learning Piano, Is it neccessesary to start with the Music Theory?

[redwing2024]

What are the reasons why we need to know or even master things about music theory?
And What are in the music theory that is really needed to be mastered?
^{(Please Arrange it in a laddered manner, or which thing must be learned first before going to the next)}


And After that, What's next?

[enharmonic]

No, it's not necessary to learn music theory to start learning piano. To learn how to play the piano, you really just need to know how to read music, as well as scales and arpeggios. It is good, though not necessary, to know the circle of fourths/fifths as well as how scales are built.

One thing that might be necessary but is so extremely basic that I don't think it counts as music theory would be learning how many sharps and flats go with each scale, so you can recognize what key a piece is in by the key signature.

Music theory is not necessary, but can help you a lot with understanding music that you play. To start with some basics, you could learn different chords (ex. tonic, subdominant, dominant, diminished sevenths) and cadences (interrupted, perfect, imperfect, etc).

You should definitely learn the different periods of music and the characteristics of each (renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, impressionistic, neo-classical, modern, etc...), as well as different composers. Those really help with understanding the music.

[nataliethepianist]

Sight reading is probably the most important. Pick up on this quickly, and you will have a huge advantage. Although not completely necessary, I find it very helpful to use a theory book. It makes learning so much easier and sight reading comprehensible.

As another poster said, theory books teach you about the different periods. When I was starting out with piano, I knew nothing about the composer I was playing or what period the piece belonged to (Even though I did my 8th grade paper on it). It is like having a source of information accessible at anytime if you retain it well.

Good luck with your studies.

- Natalie

[soitainly]

 You don't HAVE TO learn music theory but I would highly recommend learning as much as you can. Some remarkable musicians just have the music in there head and don't necessarily have to put names to everything. You can become an extraordinary pianist by just learning where to put your fingers. But...

 Learning the why about the music will help you in many ways. Knowing the chords and harmonies will give you clues as to how to interpret the music as a whole. Most people need to put names to things so that they can remember them. If you know the chord changes it can be much easier to memorize a piece than just learning where your fingers go.

 If you want to become a complete musician, to learn to improvise and to compose, the more theory you know the better. Anyone who is serious about music will want to know as much about it as possible. Its not just about the piano, what if you are playing with other people, you need to know what part the notes you are playing fit into the overall harmonic stucture.

 So there may be people who can get by without much knowledge. It's like saying you can talk but not read and write. Sure you may be intellegent, but it is so much easier to learn if you can read.