First lesson!

[determined2learn]

After self teaching with online resources I went to my first in person lesson. It went 15 minutes over because of the teacher's enthusiasm explaining tetra chords and how major scales are developed. A great dose of music theory. I had read/heard this before but brushed off the importance. (This is after a 2 hour meet and greet the day before.)


Worked on hand position also. It's like changing my golf swing; hard to change old habits.  I have a lot of practicing to do this upcoming week. 


When I mentioned music theory to two of my friends who play piano, both said they weren't taught theory as children (half century ago probably). I was concerned that any local teacher would be like that and I knew I wanted the whole experience. (I live in a pretty rural area.) So, I'm pleased and looking forward to good outcomes! I've got the will and I'll find a way!

[klavieronin]

Sounds like you're off to a positive start. Having a real teacher is a world of difference to learning on your own. Good luck.

[anacrusis]

Sounds great! How did the next lesson go?

[determined2learn]

Sorry for the late reply. First 2 lessons in the books. Lots of work needed on technique. I'm working very hard to improve deficiencies but it's slow and frustrating at times. I do enjoy the lessons. I should have done it before now.

[ivorycherry]

I'm working very hard to improve deficiencies but it's slow and frustrating at times. I do enjoy the lessons. I should have done it before now.

Well, judging from your username, I think you’ll do great. 

[scientistplayspiano]

If music is viewed as the science of sound, then like any other scientific theory, practice comes first. The theory only makes sense when it sounds better by following the theory. I only start to appreciate the theory when I try to analyze more into the music. The improvisation also depends on the theory.

Actually I was discussing with my piano teacher the other day, Bach does not go with theory all the time, maybe these theories were still in development at his time. Most modern composers go with the theory 100%.

[lelle]

If music is viewed as the science of sound, then like any other scientific theory, practice comes first. The theory only makes sense when it sounds better by following the theory. I only start to appreciate the theory when I try to analyze more into the music. The improvisation also depends on the theory.

Actually I was discussing with my piano teacher the other day, Bach does not go with theory all the time, maybe these theories were still in development at his time. Most modern composers go with the theory 100%.

Do you have any example of Bach not following theory? I feel the opposite; his music was very well constructed with its basis in the theory of his time.

[klavieronin]

My understanding was that music theory doesn't tell composers how they ought to write, but rather, how great composers of the past wrote their music. It is descriptive, not proscriptive.

I remember coming across a few exampls in Bach's chorales where the rules were not strictly followed but I can't remember which ones. I do know that in the E Minor Fugue from WTC B1 he used a short passage of parallel octaves, which is one of the first things you learn not to do in music theory class. But it sounds awesome and in context it makes perfect sense.

[scientistplayspiano]

For the "Bach not exactly follow the theory" I need to check with my piano teacher again. I thinks she was referring to chord progression. Bach goes out the original key very quickly, even in small pieces like two part inventions, which makes it difficult to follow, unlike the modern composers.