Music Learning Theory

A lot has changed in music education since today's parents were students! 

Brinkerhoff Piano Academy is committed to research-backed principles to guide students' music learning. This often looks different from what people remember about traditional piano lessons! Less "Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge", and more moving, listening, creating, and developing music skills organically. 

When our kids are first learning to talk, we don't force them to sound out words or memorize grammar rules. We speak to them and around them, and praise every little attempt at words. Only later do we guide them to become familiar with the building blocks like the alphabet, and finally lead them towards reading and writing.

The same can be true with music learning! Beginners need to hear lots of music, move to lots of rhythms, and learn to understand the patterns that they're hearing and creating. When they do learn to read and write those patterns, they can speak the language of music fluently, and create their own music comfortably.

Below are a few links and videos to learn more about "Music Learning Theory" and the research behind it.

The Gordon Institute For Music Learning advances the musical thought and research of Dr Edwin E Gordon, originator of Music Learning Theory: About Music Learning Theory – GIML – The Gordon Institute for Music Learning 

Music Moves for Piano is the curriculum used at Brinkerhoff Piano Academy to support students in learning to "audiate", that is, think in music: Welcome to Music Moves for Piano — Music Moves for Piano 

This video, created by a music teacher in Australia, gives a good explanation of the principles behind Music Learning Theory and what you can expect from MLT Piano Lessons:

Contact Brinkerhoff Piano Academy today for more information or a free trial class!