Before you wonder “Why theory?”, think about whether you can solve a mathematical or geometrical problem without the theory behind it.
How can you read a book without understanding the meaning of the words.
Theory helps to understand at a deeper level what you play or listen to and also helps with memorisation.
It helps you to play more easily, and finally, it helps you create your own music, based on scales, chords, cadences, intervals and more.
With theory you can understand of the structure of any music piece you are playing and learn it both more easily and faster.
At DiVa Music Academy we teach theory so that you will find it interesting, fun and not at all boring.
A scale is a series of notes arranged in ascending or descending order, and is the foundation of all melodies in classical music. There are many different types of scales, but the most commonly used in classical music are major and minor scales. Major scales have a bright, happy sound, while minor scales have a darker, more melancholic sound.
Key signatures are a shorthand way of indicating which notes in a piece of music are sharp or flat. They are represented by a series of sharps or flats at the beginning of a piece of music. For example, a piece of music with a key signature of three flats indicates that the notes B, E, and A are flat throughout the piece. Understanding scales and key signatures is important for interpreting the overall sound and feel of a piece of music.
A chord is a group of three or more notes played simultaneously, and is the foundation of all harmony in classical music. Chords can be major, minor, or diminished, and each type of chord creates a different mood or feeling in the listener.
Chord progressions are a series of chords played in a specific order, and are a common feature of classical music. There are many different types of chord progressions, but some of the most commonly used include the circle of fifths, the ii-V-I progression, and the blues progression. Understanding chord progressions is important for creating a sense of tension and release throughout a piece of music.