MEA Piano Studio Theory

Requirements
Level 3
Parent and Student Guide

What is Music Theory?

Music theory is the study of the basic fundamentals that help
create music. This includes learning about note names,
rhythms, and scales. It also incorporates some music history
and music appreciation.
Music theory is very similar to studying grammatical rules and
is essential for a students success in piano lessons and for
understanding music.

About the Theory Program

MEA Piano Studio uses the Piano Stars theory curriculum. It is
divided into fourteen levels so that students at all levels of
music can participate.
Students begin preparing for the annual exam in August. The
final test is in March and takes place during the students
regular lesson. Awards are given out in June during the annual
recital.

About This Level

This level is for students with 2 to 3 years of piano lessons.
These are national theory level standards.

Theory Requirements
Appreciation - Name one instrument from each family and
describe how it looks, briefly, in 1-3 sentences, describe
each music period, name any 4 American composers and an
interesting fact about each, song structures for pop music
and 12 bar blues.
Scales & Keys C, F, G, D

 Chords All major

Intervals All Major & Perfect; half\whole steps
Time Signatures - 2/4, 3/4, 4/4
Rhythms - whole, half, quarter, dotted half notes
Rests whole, half, quarter, eighth
Composition rhythmic examples, transposing

 Terms and Symbols crescendo, cresc., diminuendo, dim.,

legato, ritardando, rit., triads, chords, 8va, 8va higher &
lower, pedal marking
Other treble clef notes, bass clef notes, note stems, two
ledger lines above\below each staff

Schedule
August
o Preview Requirements
September
o Practice Test #1
o Weekly homework
October
o Theory Bee
o Weekly homework
November
o Practice Test #2
o Weekly homework

December
o Theory Fun Sheets
o Weekly homework
January
o Practice Test #3
o Weekly homework
February
o Practice Test #4
o Weekly homework
March
o Final Test

Can You Be a Piano Star?

I Think You Can.

Good Luck!
About MEA Piano Studio