My very first music classroom in Kansas City, MO had no windows. It was an overwhelming moment when I saw it. Bulletin boards lined the walls... so many bulletin boards. Creating cheap classroom decor quickly became important. Budget money went to instruments, sheet music and sound equipment not classroom decor. That's what led to wavy borders and beyond.

DIY Bulletin Board Border Ideas

Copy paper was abundant so cutting it into strips and stapling it to the board made a simple solid color border. The change from traditional wavy edges was welcome and then things got more creative:

• Mix up the colors of paper
• Cut copy paper strips into different lengths and staple sideways to create a casual staggered look
• Use decorative paper at the craft store instead
• Use cardstock
• Laminate the borders and start a reusable border stockpile
• Look around the classroom or dollar store for unexpected items that could become a border. Be open to new and different ideas.

Download the free border pdf

If you'd like to try out the border the download is available. There are crop lines included which helps line up the first cuts on the paper cutting board. There are 5 options so you have color choices. If you like to involve students in the decorating process or are working on cutting and coloring skills, the black and white version is perfect to cut and color.

I'm just getting started on Teachers Pay Teachers so there will be more classroom decor coming. If you are a music teacher or a piano teacher, there will be resources for you to use. Feel free to message me if you have questions or an idea for a product you'd like to see.

It is completely normal to wonder if an AP class will be hard. I interviewed Ian who just finished taking AP Music Theory to get some insights. This will help you know what to expect if you’re getting ready to take the class. Here’s what Ian had to say:

How hard is AP music theory?

“It is harder than most AP classes. The material is conceptually different from other classes. You have to apply the knowledge rather than regurgitating facts.”

What topics did you cover in theory?

“We covered scales, modes, chords, non chord tones, part writing and part writing techniques along with listening and basic singing skills. We also did ear training where we would do melodic dictation and also try to figure out chord progressions.”

What did you know about music before you took the class?

“I already knew how to read music and determine intervals before taking the class.  I am a percussionist and am playing quads and drum set the most. I’m in advanced percussion and advanced jazz band as well as wind ensemble at school.”

How did music theory classes help you as a musician?

“I have a better understanding of how music works. We were playing Flight of the Bumblebee in percussion ensemble and I started noticing tritones and different variations of chords being used. I was also able to identify part writing techniques in some of our jazz band music.”

What was your favorite assignment in AP music theory?

“My favorite assignments involved harmonizing songs we had already heard. I harmonized a patriotic tune. I liked it because it felt like I was using the skills in a more interesting way and we got to hear them played on our instruments. It was better than preparing for a multiple choice question.”

How can you prepare for the AP exam?

“You can use the AP practice tests and test questions. You can get them from the college board’s website.”

AP Music Theory Past Exam Questions – AP Central | College Board

Download free-response questions from past AP Music Theory exams, along with scoring guidelines, sample responses from exam takers, and scoring distributions.

College Board

What kinds of questions were on the AP music theory test?

“There were MCQ questions which are multiple choice questions and FRQ questions which involved writing or singing.”

Describe what a typical class is like.

“In my class we sight sang, took notes and discussed  concepts. Homework varied by the day but it would typically be a lot of practice of skills like identifying chord names, inversions and quality. Some were more detailed like part writing where we had to finish writing in parts following part writing techniques.”

What should you know about music theory before you take an AP music theory class?

“You should know how to read music at the very least.”

Thanks Ian for your insights! Below are some final thoughts if you do sign up for the class:

What to do before you take AP Music Theory

Learn to read music in bass clef and treble clef. It is helpful to know scales and key signatures as well as simple triads (chords). Head to your local music store to pick up a theory book or check out musictheory.net as you might use the website in your class. If you’re taking private music lessons, tell your teacher you’re taking the AP class and ask for their help in getting ready.

Are you  a hobby musician? Have you just started learning an instrument? Is your teacher suggesting you learn theory? Are you hearing other musicians talk about it but don’t understand what they are saying? Do you give private lessons on your instrument but don’t have a music degree? Do you want a career in music? As a music educator, my answer to any type of musician is YES. It is always a good idea to learn theory.

Why should you learn music theory?

• You understand how music tends to work.
• You can communicate with other musicians.
• You can play more music that you love more fluently.
• You can compose notation other musicians can read.
• You can understand which rules to keep and which rules to break in your music.
• You can create better improvisations.
• You can sight read music.

What’s Basic Music Theory?

Theory encompasses everything from basic to complex. All musicians should seek to learn music fundamentals. Here’s an infographic of some basic topics to explore:

Intermediate and Advanced Music Theory

If you are interested in diving deeper or want to study music on a collegiate level, then it is critical to learn as much as you can. This is also true if you want to teach private lessons but don’t have a college degree in music. The following list describes just SOME of what can be learned:

If you’re interested in more check out 12 tone music and create a 12 tone matrix. Study and analyze a composition using hexachordal combinatoriality. These will stretch you beyond the music you usually hear and play.

The Best Way to Learn Music Theory

The ideas below are practical and point you in the right direction. The best thing is to start small. As you begin learning, you’ll become skilled at basic concepts and be ready to add more.

1. Study the music you play to make sure you understand all the elements that make it up. Having a teacher or more experienced musician to ask questions  will help a great deal.
2. If you take private lessons, ask your teacher to introduce more theory.
3. Get a theory book or visit an online music theory site such as musictheory.net to practice and learn skills. Don’t forget the ear training exercises.
4. Try to play a song you know well by ear. See if you can reproduce the melody and rhythm.  If you play piano or guitar, try to figure out the chords as well.

Final Thoughts

Any theory you learn will be beneficial. While not every type of musician needs advanced theory to be good at music, be willing to expand beyond what you know. There is always more to learn.

Even if you are not musical, there are simple things you can do to support your child who is taking piano lessons.

1. Teach Organizational Skills

Up until about age 10-11 students may need help reading their lesson goals and organizing their practice time. They may need you to talk to their teacher if they are stuck on something. Asking a young child to be entirely responsible for scheduling and organizing practice sessions at home may be asking too much until they learn how with your guidance.

2. Establish a Routine

Short, focused and regular visits to the piano help develop a routine. Establish particular days and times to practice and be as consistent as possible. Lead your child to the piano bench with everything they need to practice similar to driving them to dance or basketball with all their gear and water bottles.

Perhaps the most helpful routine to incorporate is a 24 hour rule. Practice within 24 hours after a piano lesson so new learning is fresh. Practicing right after a lesson is more productive and less frustrating than waiting several days to start.

3. Encourage

Piano is fun and sometimes easy but it often comes with challenges. Learning to read music takes time and mastering a difficult piece will take effort. It is absolutely possible, though. Praise their progress and remind them that overcoming challenges is rewarding. Attend their recitals, listen to them play and be nearby to support them when they practice.

4. Provide a Good Instrument

While a grand piano is not required, a quality digital or acoustic piano makes a difference. Choose an instrument that makes it possible to make beautiful music. An instrument in need of repairs, out of tune or with keys that don't sound is frustrating to play. Ask your teacher for advice if you're not sure where to start.

5. Create a Practice Environment That Works

A student who practices in the basement might feel lonely because they are away from the activity of the house when they practice. Another student might be distracted by noise when they practice where the family hangs out. Consider your child's personality and needs to set up an environment where they don't feel lonely or distracted. As they get older their needs may change so reassess from time to time what works and what doesn't. Their practice will be more enjoyable and productive with the right environment in place.

6. Talk to the Teacher

Most teachers are happy to answer questions. Ask questions on behalf of your child if they are stuck on something. Ask questions you have about the process. Ask questions if there are problems. Most often your teacher will have resources and suggestions that help.

7. Enjoy the Process

It is rewarding as a parent to watch your child conquer musical challenges, perform music they love, grow their skills and build confidence. Learning the piano is a journey with ups and downs but there is much to enjoy and celebrate!  

Your child has started piano lessons and has been given music and warm-ups to practice at home. Perhaps you know nothing about music or it's been years since you played an instrument. Now what?

How long should children practice piano?

Here are some baseline suggestions for practicing. Children from ages 5-8 can shoot for 10-15 minutes. Children from 9-11 should aim for 15-20 and ages 12 and up should shoot for 20-30. Practice a minimum of 3-5 days  a week. If a child is hitting these benchmarks notice their efforts. They may go through seasons when surpassing these baselines is fun and easy. Other times it will be more difficult. These seasons are normal for all musicians so don’t worry. Some students have goals that will require longer practice lengths but these are a good starting point. As the music increases in length and difficulty, they'll have the practice habits to succeed.

I don't want to practice!

Me neither! At least sometimes that’s what I am thinking. Even now, that is a hurdle that good habits developed when young can help overcome.  It’s OK to not want to practice sometimes. Grown-ups feel this too. It’s normal. Let  children feel those feelings but also expect them to still practice.  Sitting with them, listening to their play or even being nearby in a comfy chair with a cup of coffee shows you are supportive. You don't have to be musical to help. They can even teach you their song. Usually, after a few minutes they will be fine and after they finish you can celebrate!

Goals are better than minutes.

Always focus on goals. Goals are the priority over minutes every time.  Read the goal sheet sent home and any writing that may be on the music. (Remind older students to do this.) In your conversations emphasize goals over minutes. Set a goal (e.g. play the song remembering all of the Bb’s). Then play the song and work on it. Perhaps the goal is to make a noticeable difference between loud and soft sections. Practice until your child and their audience supporters at home can hear the difference. Some goals take all week or longer to reach so praise improvement rather than perfection.  Keep a pencil nearby to add reminders in your music that will help you meet your goals. By meeting goals, progress occurs no matter how many minutes are logged.

Practice benefits last far beyond piano lessons.

Regular practice sets apart students who play piano at a high level from those who pick up a few basics. It's the same concept that keeps professional musicians, athletes and employees growing and maintaining skills necessary to advance. Even if your child pursues music as a hobby, practice will build skills and discipline needed to pursue goals and careers later in life.

Keep playing the piano and exploring music over the summer. Complete your Making Waves: Summer Piano 2022 packet (downloadable pdf below) with the following links:

1. This famous piece by Debussy is entitled "Reflets dans l'eau" which is French for reflections in the water.  It is an impressionistic piece that explores mood with interesting harmonies. Debussy said "I love music passionately. And because I love it, I try to free it from the barren traditions that stifle it. It is a free art gushing forth, an open-air art boundless as the elements, the wind, the sky, the sea. It must never be shut in and become an academic art. "

2. Piano students often request to learn this famous piece by Yiruma called "River Flows in You." It was used in the Twilight saga and is typically classified as new-age or contemporary classical music.

3. This link provides free lessons on the basic music theory concepts, rhythm, meter, scales, key signatures, chords and intervals.  Explore topics you know for review or check out a new topic to learn new skills. Learning music theory helps make learning new pieces easier as you understand more about the building blocks of music. If you are younger or new to piano, start with the basics. If you've been playing for a while explore some of the later topics.

musictheory.net - Lessons

Introductory and intermediate music theory lessons, exercises, ear trainers, and calculators.

musictheory.net

4. This link is also free and provides exercises to practice music theory concepts such as naming notes. It is customizable if you go into settings which makes it something both beginners and advanced piano players can use. Contact me if you want advice on customizations or exercises to check out.

musictheory.net - Exercises

Introductory and intermediate music theory lessons, exercises, ear trainers, and calculators.

musictheory.net

Have a great time playing the piano for fun, practicing new music, discovering music inspired by water, and growing your skills during a summer lesson. Contact me if you want to schedule a summer lesson.