Teachers, do you give your students theory/reading-writing worksheets?

[klavieronin]

Just curious to know if other teachers give their students theory/reading-writing worksheets. I haven't much in the past because most of my students had no interest but I did use theory workbooks when I was learning and I always thought doing those exercises were very valuable.

[dizzyfingers]

Just curious to know if other teachers give their students theory/reading-writing worksheets. I haven't much in the past because most of my students had no interest but I did use theory workbooks when I was learning and I always thought doing those exercises were very valuable.

"Theory" is a broad term.  Learning the cycle of 5ths, all the keys, how the major and minor scales are put together, the common cadences, are basic and I do teach them.  I also ask students about what harmonies are showing up in their pieces, though I don't ask for a complete analysis of the piece.  Some students show interest in this, some don't.

What theory workbooks did you have?

[keypeg]

Just curious to know if other teachers give their students theory/reading-writing worksheets.

I like the idea of theory, but I don't like the idea of worksheets in and of themselves.

Theory is how music works, and should be ongoing and practical first.  The first time a student plays a piece with one sharp and it's in G major or E minor, that's theory.    That D7 to G, or B7 to Em where you feel it finishing, (cadence) is theory.  Your time signature, rhythms, note values, are theory.  I'd want to see that pointed out, and maybe some kind of written work derived from that appearing later on.

Worksheets and written work can become an abstract thing divorced from music.  You want a connection to the music.  That can be a brief mention of such things in every lesson.

[klavieronin]

What theory workbooks did you have?

When I was a young student I worked through the Dulcie Holland: Master Your Theory books. I always felt that I got a lot out of them that I don't think I'd have gotten if I'd only played music. I didn't like all the exercises - especially the melody writing exercises since there was no clear answer which I always found really confusing for some reason - but on the whole I enjoyed them and found they reinforced what I was doing at the piano.