Why Learning Music Theory Makes You a Better Violinist
Why Study Music Theory
I clearly remember working through my childhood violin teacher’s hand-made music theory workbooks. While lessons from these books were assigned like homework by my teacher, they always felt separate from my violin practice. I never fully connected how my work in the pages translated to my playing. After returning to playing as an adult, any theory work I do has been specifically tied to my playing, whether it’s refreshing my knowledge of key signatures after encountering an orchestral piece in an unfamiliar key or learning about chordal analysis to support my phrasing in a baroque piece for solo violin.
It can be challenging to learn theory alongside the instrument, especially when moving into more advanced music theory topics. But there are some clear reasons why a knowledge of music theory will make you a better player. A clear understanding of music theory can increase ability on an instrument, from improving intonation, learning pieces faster. Here are the top three reasons that I believe every string player, especially adult learners, should focus on expanding their theoretical knowledge of music, with some recommended resources to get there.
Improved Intonation
Working on ear training and practicing intervalic recognition can improve intonation while improving your understanding of the fingerboard, and developing comprehension of pitch relationships that aid in playing in a wide variety of keys. As I move into more advanced repertoire myself, I am realizing how a deep understanding of keys and interval relationships is important for intonation as a violinist. Having an understanding of the pitch relationships within a piece improves the ability to play the notes accurately. Understanding the relationship between intervals on the fingerboard also makes for more accurate shifts. When I’m unsure of the relationship between the starting note and the note I am going to, I have to spend a lot more time working out the shift, than when I have a clear auditory picture of the interval already in my mind.
Improved Phrasing
Understanding chord theory can improve your understanding and execution of phrasing and dynamics because you’ll have deeper knowledge of the form and structure of the piece. If you know the underlying theory of the piece and can see how the chords link phrases together, you will develop increased ability to shape the music so that it flows beautifully whether it’s through naturally forming crescendos or highlighting a cadence. If you understand the overall form of a piece, you can understand how the phrases fit together and what each means within the broader structure.
Improved Sight Reading and Faster Learning
When you understand the underlying theory behind a piece, and are familiar with common rhythmic patterns in the style of music you are playing, you’ll better anticipate what comes next, which aids in the ability to sight read with more fluency. Similarly, understanding the structure of a piece including keys, scales, and intervals will improve your ability to learn music more quickly. With knowledge of intervals, rather than getting stuck on a passage that contains a whole tone scale, you’ll use your theory knowledge to instantly recognize and map the whole tones on the fingerboard.
What aspects of music theory to study to improve violin playing
While any music theory knowledge is helpful for playing a string instrument, the following are the most important elements of theory to aid in becoming a fluent string player:
- Intervals — For improving intonation, sight reading, and increasing learning speed.
- Scales and Keys — For improving sight reading and increasing learning spped.
- Rhythm & Counting — For improving sight reading, ensemble skills, and musical fluency.
- Chord Theory — For improving phrasing and musicality.
How to study music theory — Books, Apps, Resources
There are a wide variety of resources available to learn music theory from basic theory books designed for young students, to advanced college text books. A variety of apps are also available specializing in lessons on topics like interval training, and interactive flashcard apps can assist in learning how to read music in a variety of clefs and to memorize key signatures. These are the primary types of instructional resources you will encounter to help you learn music theory:
- College text books (best for intermediate to advanced amateurs) such as The Musician’s Guide to Theory and Analysis or Music Theory Remixed.
- Intro books about theory for violinists written for children (best for new learners) such as the All For Strings Theory Workbook.
- Music theory apps focused on subjects such as interval training. Flashcard apps are also a great resource for learning key signatures or new clefs. Apps are typically specialized and focus on individual topics such as rhythm training or ear training.
Resources
If you have started looking for music theory learning resources on your own, you will know the sheer volume of material that is available, and it can be overwhelming if you are just starting to learn theory. I’ve compiled a short list of resources to help you get started. These will be especially helpful if you aren’t ready to tackle a full college theory text book.
This is a graded series of books developed specifically for string players. While I have not tried them myself, I like that they were developed by a string teacher and that they are available at a wide variety of levels.
Music Theory For the Successful String Musician
While this book is developed for students in school string programs, it looks promising for adult learners as well. Unlike a lot of other general music theory books, it also was developed specifically for string payers which helps contextualize the theory on a relevant instrument.
Music Theory Workbook for All Musicians by Chris Bowman
While this book is not developed specifically for string players, it is accessible for the beginner to intermediate string player who is not quite ready for a college textbook.
The AB Guide to Music Theory (ABRSM)
I generally like the ABRSM learning resources and have personally had some success using sight reading books developed to aid students in ABRSM exams. While I have not used the ABRSM music theory book, it’s likely to follow a similar straight-forward progression.
Music Theory for the 21st Century Classroom
This is a free full online text book in college-level music theory.
Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory
A book that starts with basics of note reading and progresses to more advanced topics in intervalic relationships and chordal theory. It also includes audio lessons to aid in ear training.
A website offering music theory tutorials and ear training exercises.
A website with music theory lessons, some of which are free. The premium iOS apps Tenuto and Theory Lessons offer additional focus on theory and interval training.
Continue Your Practice Journey
Understanding music theory is just one way to become a better musician. In my Practice Hub, you’ll find more resources, guides, and tools to help you grow as a musician and build effective practice routines.
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