Theory is a description of what musicians already do: why a chord sounds finished, why a melody wants to go to one note and not another. Ear training is learning to hear those things without looking. At B# Music both are part of instrument lessons rather than a separate class, so every idea is tried on your own guitar, bass or piano, on music you care about.
What theory covers
- Reading: standard notation on the treble and bass clefs, rhythm values and time signatures, and tab for the fretted instruments.
- Scales and keys: major and minor scales, the circle of fifths, and key signatures.
- Intervals: the distance between two notes, the building block of both melody and harmony.
- Chords: triads, sevenths and extensions, inversions, and how they are numbered within a key (I, IV, V and so on).
- Progressions and form: common chord sequences, cadences, and how songs are put together.
What ear training covers
- recognizing intervals, from a half step up to an octave;
- telling major, minor, dominant and other chord types apart by sound;
- hearing where a progression goes, for example from the I to the IV chord;
- singing or playing back a short melody;
- working out a part from a recording, which is how many musicians learn songs.
Why it helps
A guitarist who knows the notes in a chord can find it anywhere on the neck, not only in the one shape they memorised. And a player who can hear a ii–V–I coming can follow a song they have never played before.
How it fits into lessons
The balance depends on the student. A jazz student or a songwriter usually wants more; someone learning favourite songs for fun may only meet it in small doses, as the songs need it.
Questions
Can I take lessons just in music theory?
Theory is taught as part of instrument lessons. If it is what interests you most, say so at the free intro visit.
Is ear training useful for adults?
Yes. Hearing intervals and chord changes improves at any age with regular practice, and it makes learning songs by ear much easier.
