How do you teach music theory and ear training to vocal students?

1 Assess your students' needs

Before you start teaching music theory and ear training, you need to assess your students' needs and interests. What are their musical backgrounds, preferences, and objectives? What are their strengths and weaknesses in terms of pitch, rhythm, harmony, and notation? How do they learn best: visually, auditorily, kinesthetically, or a combination? By knowing your students' needs, you can tailor your teaching approach and materials to suit their level and style of learning.

2 Use a variety of methods and resources

There is no one-size-fits-all method for teaching music theory and ear training. You need to use a variety of methods and resources to keep your students motivated and challenged. For example, you can use songs, exercises, games, apps, videos, books, or online courses to teach different aspects of music theory and ear training. You can also use different modes of instruction, such as demonstration, explanation, practice, feedback, or discussion. The key is to balance the theoretical and practical aspects of music theory and ear training, and to make them relevant and applicable to your students' vocal repertoire.

3 Teach music theory and ear training in context

One of the best ways to teach music theory and ear training is to teach them in context. This means that you should relate the concepts and skills to the songs and genres that your students are singing or interested in. For example, you can teach scales, intervals, chords, and chord progressions by using examples from pop, rock, jazz, classical, or musical theater songs. You can also teach rhythm, meter, tempo, and dynamics by using examples from different styles and cultures of music. By teaching music theory and ear training in context, you can help your students see the connection between theory and practice, and how they can use them to enhance their vocal performance.

4 Incorporate singing and listening activities

Singing and listening are the core activities of vocal students, and they are also the best ways to develop music theory and ear training skills. You should incorporate singing and listening activities in your music theory and ear training lessons, and encourage your students to do them regularly. For example, you can have your students sing scales, intervals, chords, melodies, or harmonies to practice their pitch accuracy, intonation, and tonal memory. You can also have them listen to recordings, live performances, or other singers to practice their aural perception, analysis, and appreciation. By incorporating singing and listening activities, you can help your students apply their music theory and ear training skills to their vocal production and expression.

5 Review and reinforce the concepts and skills

Music theory and ear training are cumulative subjects that require constant review and reinforcement. You should review and reinforce the concepts and skills that you have taught in previous lessons, and check your students' understanding and progress. You can use quizzes, tests, assignments, or projects to assess your students' knowledge and ability in music theory and ear training. You can also use feedback, praise, correction, or encouragement to motivate your students and help them improve. By reviewing and reinforcing the concepts and skills, you can help your students consolidate their music theory and ear training learning and achieve their musical goals.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?