Music Teaching Tips : Missouri Music Teachers Association

by Meg Gray

Although I am primarily a piano teacher, I have always had a strong interest in music theory. Piano teachers the world over agree that theory is important, and I have seen in my own students how a good foundation in music theory helps pianists become independent thinkers and well-rounded musicians.

When finishing my doctoral studies at the University of Oklahoma, I was fortunate to be one of the last students to complete my dissertation with E.L. Lancaster before he left college teaching to work for Alfred Publishing Company. He was aware of my interest in music theory, and in his usual organized and efficient manner, asked me to write some theory books for Alfred while we were having coffee the day after my graduation from OU!

The result of this conversation is Piano Bridge 1 and Piano Bridge 2, two music theory workbooks for pre-college students who have completed the first and second years of piano study. These books are designed to be used with any of the mainstream piano methods. I tried very hard to make them fun as well as educational They include mazes, word searches, secret codes, and crossword puzzles, as well as musical analysis pages. They are meant to review basic theoretical concepts and to help students see how to apply their knowledge to "real" music.

Piano Bridge 1 and Piano Bridge 2 can be used in many different ways. They take good review books for students who want something fun and different to work in during the summer (with or without a teacher). They are also helpful for students who need extra theory review in the fall or maybe for transfer students who haven't studied for awhile. They can be used as activity books for group lessons or for piano camps.

The books went to print the first part of June. Look for them to be coming soon to a music store near you!

MMTA member and MMTA Pre-Collegiate Honors Auditions Chair Meg Gray wrote this article for the Fall 2005 issue of MMTA Notes

posted by Brent Hugh at 10/09/2005
permanent link to article: MMTA member publishes "Piano Bridge" theory books

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