Music Analysis Methods Introduction for Students

Music Analysis Methods Introduction for Students

Music Analysis Methods Introduction for Students

At some point, reproducing a piece of music is not enough. A student has to understand all the theory behind the piece to grasp all the minor details the composer wanted to express in their work. The best way to do it is to analyse the piece regarding different angles. For someone starting with analysis, it can seem overwhelming and demotivating but as soon as they realise there is a standardised approach, the whole process becomes much easier and, what is very important, intriguing.

Understanding main themes, the classical form that the piece represents, the harmonic progression and movement of the voices allows a performer to dig deeply into the structure of the work. It supports understanding how the musical thought is evolving, where it is leading to. When one grasps the theory behind the piece, playing it becomes much more straightforward and more natural as we feel familiar with the content.

We recommend exploring a great resource created by members of WKMT:

http://www.piano-composer-teacher-london.co.uk/music-theory–composition-resources