Ok, I’ll admit it. I’m a theory nerd.
Not full bore mind you, but enough to be a card-carrying member of the “Why is music theory so complicated?” club. I can make it through the front door and hold my own with the more obsessed of the crew, but I’m not going to argue counterpoint or whether that Bdim7 is functioning as secondary leading tone vii/ii in second inversion. Basically, I’ve drunk the Kool-aid but do not belong in a 12-step recovery program. Yet.
Equally important side note, does it impress you that I also know 1) that is Boromir and 2) how to spell his name without looking it up. *dramatic pause for effect* No…? Achem, well, oooook then. 🤓
Soooo… back to theory. I wanna bring you in on a little secret. Lean in and I’ll tell you what no one ever tells you about music theory.
Theory is easy.
GASP!! There I go, breaking the code and spilling the beans. Don’t tell anyone I told you or they’ll appropriate my member card.
Honest truth tho, it makes playing simple!
It’s all you need to know in order to play and write music successfully.
And I can teach it to you in one sitting.
DIFFICULT, but not
Piano is an instrument that often frequents top 10 lists for “Most Difficult to Play.” And I understand why. You’re reading a million itty bitty notes on a page, basically a whole new language, one line per hand, while learning how to execute what you’re reading with both hands and a foot or two independent of each other.
I have been classically trained and I value that background. It’s strengthened my technical skills and is something I’d heartily recommend to anyone. But it’s not required to play if your goals don’t involve being a concert pianist.
I started taking classical lessons at the age of 5. My worship leader and musician extraordinaire father taught me theory basics at the age of 10 and I was using them in worship that same day.
Literally changed my world.
From that day forward I’ve been playing popular and worship songs, writing songs, accompanying myself singing (on stage and off) and having solo worship sessions in my room with a passionate singularity of focus.
It unlocked my destiny.
I’ve been solid enough to play on worship teams since I was a child and began leading worship from the keys in adult services at 16.
When I sit down with my teen and adult in-person students, my first questions are “What are your goals? Why do you want to play and what for? When you think of playing the piano, what do you envision in your mind’s eye?”
So far, no one has said “I want to play classically like Martha Argerich (If you don’t know who she is, check her out on YouTube, she’s legit yo). They all want to play as a means to an end:
- Play on a worship team
- Support their vocal practice or accompany themselves
- Write songs
- Communicate better with other instrumentalists
- Or just be able to have their own personal worship time at home
The answer to all these goals is theory.
WHERE TO GO NEXT?
One of MY greatest passions is to equip people who have the desire to grow but don’t know exactly where to start, or have plateaued and don’t know where to go next. People who wonder why is music theory so complicated?
I created this Learn-To-Play Lesson Plan ebook for this exact purpose and am so excited to be able to offer it for FREE.
If this resonates with you, don’t let intimidation steal from you. Get started today, you have no idea how this can unlock your creativity and set fire to your purpose.
With a solid foundation in theory, coupled with the RIGHT exercises to support the training, your potential is literally LIMITLESS.
Download your copy HERE and let’s make the jump into this next season of growth together!
So I’m turning the tables back on YOU. What are your goals? Why do you want to play and what for? When you think of playing the piano, what do you envision in your mind’s eye? Comment below and share!
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