Student Article Review: Liveabout's Beginner's Guide to Music History

My student M is back with another review:

Student Review of A Beginner’s Guide to Music History

The website is called A Beginner’s Guide to Music History, written by Espie Estrella. She is a lyricist, songwriter, and member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

The article included a paragraph of The origin of history and music and the different music time periods. I liked how simple it was to read and how easy it was to understand, even though there were a couple of advanced terms.

I also liked how they didn't use 3-4 paragraphs to explain the time periods. There wasn't anything I specifically did not like, just some improvements I think should be made, like adding a bit more information.

It was pretty easy to navigate and find what you wanted because the article is pretty short and it was arranged where the older periods are at the top and modern ones at the bottom. Another website I came across also used time periods, and they were in the same order. I would rate it a 5/5 for how easy it was to read, but a 4.5/5 overall.

Teacher’s First Impressions of A Beginner’s Guide to Music History

The article does give a good general overview of music history. There are just a couple of points that stuck out, that I should address.

Regarding the Baroque era, that is actually my first time reading that translation for “barocco". In music history class, we were taught that it meant “rough pearl.” Also, the modern double bass did not exist in the Baroque Period. Its predecessors, the violione and viol da gamba did.

It would have been beneficial for music students for hotlinks to be added for some of the terms, such as “cantus firmus”, “Ondes-Martnot” “monophonic” and “serialism”.

Note Reading Apps for Android (Fall 2020 edition)

I explored three note reading apps for Android this week, two new ones and one old favourite: Jungle Music, Game of Clefs, and Note Rush.

Jungle Music

Jungle Music is a very cute note reading game. It reminds of me of Note Works for iOS devices. Students practice note reading in the Treble Clef, Bass Clef, Baritone Clef, and all C Clefs. The free version has sections locked, whereas the paid versions have unlimited use, extra-time on timed parts, and more landscapes to customize your game.

Play with up to four players and choose between piano, guitar or violin/cello sounds.

Jungle Music

There are three versions: free, $1.49, and the $3.49 Teachers’ version.

Game of Clefs

Game of Clefs has a free and $1.35 paid version (ad free) as well. Players can test their note reading in the treble, alto, tenor and bass clefs. Up to two players may play.

Game of Clefs

Note Rush

Note Rush is an old favourite at my studio. Test your note reading and keyboard geography. Choose between seasonal themes and customize levels.

This app is also available for iOS devices. The Android version costs $4.99.

Note Rush

The Final Verdict?

Check out my gameplay and commentary video on the Studio’s YouTube Channel to find out!

Do you have any favourite note reading apps? Apple users, do you have any recommendations? Please drop them in the Comments.

What does pizza have to do with studying music theory?

"Pizza" probably isn't the first word that comes to mind when you think about studying music theory. Now, it's probably the first thing my students will think of whenever they study music theory. The idea of hosting a pizza music theory party came from my colleague, Dorcas Ng. Whenever she shared pictures from her music theory and harmony study sessions, it looked like the students were having a great time studying and eating pizza.

This is my first year teaching music theory as a group class. It didn't take long for me to realize that my Basic Rudiments / Theory 1 class would need coaching on certain areas, in addition to extra help on how to study music theory. It didn't take much convincing to tell them we should have a music theory study party with pizza.

Three out of four of my students in the class attended the music theory party this past Saturday. The party lasted for 2.5 hours. We got to a slow start because everyone slept in. Then, of course, the weather.

Each student bought study snacks to share. I purchased two 12-inch pizzas from Sobeys from the deli section.

The class was also part of an experiment. In October, the students drafted up rules of conduct for the studio. Each time a  student exhibited good manners as per "the rules", I added a marble into the Good Manners Jar. If they filled it up to the line (which they did), then I would get them a special dessert for the music theory study party.

The first hour of the music theory study session was dedicated to review. I zoomed in on the typical troublespots: the Circle of Fifths, intervals, rhythm and chords.

My students came up with a unique mnemonic to remember the Circle of Fifths:

We then took a 10-minute break, which gave me enough time to prepare lunch. One student played a game, another jammed on a keyboard, while the third student sketched.

The next part to our "How to study music theory" session was dedicated to working through a practice test. It was open book and I allowed my students to ask each other questions. This way, they could start developing their self-study music theory strategies.

During lunch, we chatted about non-music topics, such as everyone's plans for the weekend. We also discussed history, travelling and inventions.

The final part of the music theory study session was dedicated to vocabulary. My students took turns being the Quiz Master. It was a delight to listen to them give each other hints:

Students A & B: FORTE! FORTE!

Student C: I can't think! You're both too loud.

***

Student A: Rall - en - ta - - - n - - - d - - - - o - - - - - -

Student B: To get slower?

I took a snapshot of a couple of other cute definitions, mispronounciations and study helps that they came up with:

For homework, they are to complete the practice test. On Tuesday, they will write an in-class final examination.

Two of my students will write a music theory examination through either Royal Conservatory of Music or Conservatory Canada. The other two will continue to the next level before writing the official examination.

Afterwards, I asked each of my students if they gained a better understanding of music theory during the study session. The answer was a resounding "YES!" They also had a good deal of fun, whether it was when they were developing the Circle of Fifths mnemonic, drilling vocabulary or telling me, "Are you writing that down? You should post that on your Facebook."

Music theory has been one area that my students have called "boring". Teaching music theory in a class setting was my first step to changing things up. Hosting the music theory study / pizza party was another. It is my hope that the two changes make studying music theory a bit more interesting and enjoyable.

Incorporating Music Theory into a Student Request

One of my students has been on my case for weeks, if not months for sheet music from the Bionicle Heroes video game. He even researched information about composer Ian Livingstone to include in my year-end studio recital. I could not find any sheet music in my travels, so I decided to contact the video game composer and inquire. Ian informed me that he didn't have sheet music for Bionicle Heroes. However, he did send me sheet music for No Adrenaline, a piece he dedicated to his son who has the genetic condition CAH - Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

My intermediate and advanced students jumped on the opportunity to play it. However, my "Bionicles" student is only in Grade 1 piano. I was thinking of making a Big Notes arrangement but something stopped me.

This particular student is has rhythm and detail issues. His theory book? Doesn't always make it to lessons.

On a lark, I decided to get my student to write out his own arrangement. He's starting to get that key and time signatures are important and that if he transcribes notes on a different line, it completely changes the sound:

I emailed this photo to Ian Livingstone. My student was shocked. Ian thought the music theory project idea was "fantastic".

A Look at Chord Helps

Most of my students are visual-aural or visual-kinesthetic learners. Needless to say, cracking open their music theory workbook is not their idea of a good time. Therefore, I'm always on the lookout for tools that "speak" more to their learning styles.

The following are four tools that I have come across in my attempt to help my piano students understand chords and the Circle of Fifths better:

Walrus Productions Piano Chords Mini-Chart

This Piano Chord Mini Chart is ideal for the visual learner. There is a piano keyboard on top to help music students with music theory. It's made of bendable plastic. I suppose one could use it as a place-mat or mouse pad if they are so inclined.

Each row contains the major, minor, dominant seventh, augmented and diminished chords starting on a particular note. The red dots show how to build each chord. If a student is still unsure of their note names, the keyboard at the top of the chart can help clear things up for them.

Is it complete? No. It just gives those basic chord types. It would have been nice if it had diminished seventh chords as well. The reverse side could have been utilized to show the Circle of Fifths and perhaps some common chord progressions.

The Piano Chords Mini-Chart runs for approximately $2.68 USD on Amazon. I purchased mine at my local Long & McQuade for $5.08 CAD.

Alfred Publishing Keyboard Chord Chart

With over 100 chords, this Keyboard Chord Chart boasts a more complete collection. What I like about this chart over the previous one is that it gives presents the information in two different ways: first, you see what the chord looks like on the staff. Then, it shows how to build the chord on the piano. However, it goes one step beyond but showing the letter names on the keys. There is a section that covers the inversion of chords as well.

It retails for approximately $3.50 USD and $3.59 CAD. One of my colleagues has a gigantic, wall-sized version of this chart.

The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Piano Chords

This 183-page pocket-book was written by my colleague Karen Berger. We "met" when we freelanced together at Suite101.com.

The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Piano Chords is more expensive than the two options I listed above. However, it offers so much more. There's a section on keyboard geography, note reading 101, building chords, advanced chords and more. It has a user rating of 4/5 stars on Amazon.

It retails for $12.95 USD and approximately $13.24 CAD. I don't have this handy book in my professional library. However, I do mean to pick one up in the near future.

The Chord Wheel

I picked up The Chord Wheel: The Ultimate Tool for All Musicians at the advice of one of the associates at Long & McQuade. It's colourful, I'll grant you that. Between the rainbow colours and the spinning wheel, it captures the attention of most of my students whenever it is out.

When you open it up, you'll see a section on analyzing chord progressions, transposition and composition. It gives some handy tips on figuring out the key signature to a song by looking at the chords listed (provided that you are looking at a fake book or P/V/G book).

It also covers scales, chords, modes and relative minors and gives ideas on what chords to use for songwriting. Sounds good, doesn't it?

However, it's not something I'd recommend for my younger students, or even my tween students who are struggling with music theory to begin with. The explanations go right over their head.

It's not piano-centric, so it is useful for vocalists, guitarists and other instrumentalists. The text is tailored towards the older learner, high school to adult.

The Chord Wheel ranks consistently in the Top 50 of Amazon's Best Seller List for Music Theory aids with a 4/5 star rating. It is the most expensive aid on this list, retailing at $14.99 USD and $15.33 CAD.