MrsJewelsRae Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 My ds 10 and dd 8 started piano this past fall, dd is struggling with the theory part. We love their teacher, she is very kind and has a ton of experience. I have no musical background so I really have no way of helping. Dd has told the teacher her troubles, the teacher helps her, but the next weeks homework has her crying in confusion and frustration again. Ds understands better than her but isn't good at helping her understand. Are there any websites or anything you can recommend to help her out? Thanks :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 What kind of music theory homework is the teacher giving? Some children can read music theory books and understand, some need to do music theory worksheets. Maybe ask your daughter what she is having problem with. It would also be useful to list what piano book the teacher is using for your children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsJewelsRae Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 Good idea, didn't even cross my mind! This is it: http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Elementary-Music-Theory-2nd-Edition-Book-1/4942860 She does well in homeschool, though she is a perfectionist, and she LOVES piano and her teacher, she practices without reminder every day, often 2-3 times, or for an hour straight just for fun! But theory she hates, I don't think the material is too complicated- it's just not clicking, or maybe it jumps around too much without enough explanation- who knows!?. If only I knew what it was talking about I could sit down with her and go over it, my dh plays piano but is way too rusty on theory as he more plays by ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I would ask the teacher if there is a different way...different materials. I hate to see children learn to loathe piano (and music!) b/c of a rough start in theory. I like Pianimals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Good idea, didn't even cross my mind! This is it: http://www.sheetmusi...-Book-1/4942860 She does well in homeschool, though she is a perfectionist, and she LOVES piano and her teacher, she practices without reminder every day, often 2-3 times, or for an hour straight just for fun! But theory she hates, I don't think the material is too complicated- it's just not clicking, or maybe it jumps around too much without enough explanation- who knows!?. If only I knew what it was talking about I could sit down with her and go over it, my dh plays piano but is way too rusty on theory as he more plays by ear. She may just not be ready. It's a lot like learning English. Most kids can read, and read fluently and LOVE it long before they can diagram a sentence. Many kids need to play, associate the notes/fingerings/sounds, long before they get into the theory. Give her time, and let her enjoy playing. .02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne J Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Check out http://makingmusicfun.net Ds has enjoyed the printable worksheets as he learns violin. The site is geared toward piano though and has all sorts of ideas for games and activites to make things more fun. Some things seem to be on a subscription basis, but we just use the free materials. ETA. Grrr. I cannot make the link work (I'm on my iPad). Just google 'making music fun.net' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula in MS Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 What kind of music lesson book is she using? Normally for beginners the theory book goes along with the lesson book. The theory concept is introduced in the lesson, and the theory book reinforces that. If your daughter is doing something entirely different for theory I can see where she is not able to relate to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violamama Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 If it were me, I would look at what the teacher has assigned each week and then fire up google for some games you can play to learn the material instead. Then I would sit and help her fill out the workbook only after you've messed around with the material. I do teach theory right off the bat along with everything else, but it is very verrrrrry incremental and it's mostly games/flashcards/memorizing a few new vocab words. I throw stickers at students like crazy. You could do this with her. There are lots of free printables out there- more than I could ever use. I would really work on it before giving up on the book, but I would also show the teacher all the extra work you/your dd are doing. She should be thrilled and start to pitch in more suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violamama Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 ps. Are she and her sister on the same pages? That can be tough when one is older- I would try to separate them more, too. Not sure if that's a factor in your family, but it is in many I've taught. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsJewelsRae Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 Thank you all so much for your suggestions! I will definitely look into each of your suggestions. My ds is slightly ahead of her in piano- he is 10 and while they started at the same time ds has pulled ahead a bit due to dd being ill. I don't really see any competition between them in this case. This is the book they are playing with (they're on book 2 now): http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/0877180369 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Your daughter can be better in piano playing without worrying about being on the same level in music theory. Some people are good at theory, some at playing (practical) and since your daughter is getting one to one tutoring, the teacher can just meet her at her level. For example, I have a friend who aced the piano practical exam for grade 8 at 11 years old but her music theory is decent at grade 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Putting on my college music prof hat-a lot of piano methods really don't do well at teaching theory. And, in most cases, students have to get to a certain level of music proficiency, not necessarily in playing, but in HEARING music and SEEING music before they're able to read it. It's like reading text. You have a lot of experience hearing it, seeing it, and in using language before anyone expects you to read it, but many music students go from very little formal exposure, and almost always NOT seeing written music notation to being handed a piano book and being told "This is middle C, on this little line below this bunch of other lines, and it's this white key on the piano. That's a lot for the brain to process at once. That's one reason why I'm a strong advocate of group classes before starting piano, and why I like auditory-based programs for kids who haven't had a lot of prior background (or even who have, if they're auditory learners). So, spend a lot of time listening to music and looking at music in notation, together. Sing. Learn melodies on piano and piano songs by ear, then go back and read them. Separate the skills. And even when you move to the theory book, consider it a spine, because there probably isn't enough repetition-usually a given concept will be covered once, and that's it. and it's simply not enough for most kids to truly master it, especially at the lower end of the age range. For theory proper- A couple of possibilities- http://www.susanparadis.com/ This piano teacher has a lot of nice, hands-on games and activities to teach theory. Most will require some basic music knowledge to use, but you might find some you can use. http://www.harmonicvision.com/mafact.htm Music Ace-this is an OLD software package, and a good one. It's existed at least back to Windows 3.1, and honestly, it hasn't changed much, but it's easily one of the better learning tools for theory. My favorite theory book for young kids- http://www.amazon.com/Ready-To-Use-Music-Reading-Activities-Kit/dp/0137561644 Ready to use music reading activities kit, by Loretta Mitchell. Nice, self-paced, and very very baby steps at a time. The only downside is that she only covers treble clef. This is another good one-but can be a lot of photocopying for a busy parent. http://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Music-Games-Grades/dp/156822673X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357268017&sr=1-1&keywords=Big+book+of+music+games Finally, I LOVE Music Mind Games, but there's quite a learning curve to it-it's a better fit for teachers than parents. The other thing to keep in mind-a lot, lot, lot of college music majors come into programs with good music reading skills,but little true understanding of the depth of theory. They make it through. Or, at least, many of them do. It's NOT the end of the world to be a good player without being a good theorist. In fact, it's what paid my salary for quite a few years ;). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Another very helpful theory practice site is http://www.musictheory.net/. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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