So today's blog deals with an issue that I think is often overlooked by students: how do the academic music classes (history, theory etc.) relate to playing your instrument? I am asked this by students on a regular basis on and I always reply that without knowing that information you can play your instrument but you can't play music.

Theory is the foundation musically of what we do. The way a piece is constructed gives us clues of how to perform it, be it melody or harmony. History tells us what style we play in, who the composer was, why the piece was written and more.

The problem is that students often don't see the connection, which is why I am increasingly asking for analysis of my students works as well as a sheet they fill out on their pieces with bio's etc on their composer, program notes and even what recordings they have listened to.