Jun 25, 2014

Piano: Music’s Universal Learning Tool

by Alison Margaret

The piano breathes life into the world of music theory. Many students do not enjoy the seemingly tedious task of completing music theory assignments as a consistent routine in weekly studies. I encourage students to reframe their opinions on music theory by considering the following: The piano is such a marvelous thing because it takes the mathematics of harmony and instead paints a picture.

Think of the piano as offering little puzzles pieces to be arranged and ordered. The more you study the piano and learn the sights and sounds of music, the more complete the puzzle. The piano offers more than simply an aural understanding of the universal language of music--it provides us with a visual understanding as well. This benefits students in areas such as song writing, arranging, sight reading, and also successfully progressing from one musical level to the next.

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Note from Education Director Ken Fitzsimmons:

I have to say as a bassist and bass instructor, I couldn't agree more with Alison. Every university music student is required to study piano, and there's a reason for that. It is so much easier to understand complex musical ideas on the piano. You can see every note and every pattern. And you can play every note of any chord.

I frequently turn to the piano in bass lessons. Just last week a lesson turned into a mini piano lesson as we dug into the key and chords of a song. Want to know the song? It wasn't by Beethoven, Bach, or Mozart. It was Riders on the Storm by the Doors.

Thank you piano for making it that much easier to teach.....the bass.

ALISON MARGARET
Alison Margaret’s relationship with music is both deep and broad, spanning the continuum between performance and formal education. She hails from Chicago, where she studied at the prestigious Columbia College, earning a degree in vocal jazz performance. She has a master’s of music with a focus on jazz performance and education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ms. Margaret has been a music educator for over 15 years. In addition to holding a private studio of approximately 25 students, she also teaches group piano and music theory courses at Madison College. Her educational philosophy is rooted in inclusive schooling concepts and she welcomes students with unique learning styles and music interests.

Ms. Margaret is an accomplished classical and jazz pianist. Throughout 2009 and 2010, she performed Keith Jarrett's 1975 Koln Concert in Madison, Rockford, and Syracuse. As a vocalist, Ms. Margaret leads the “Alison Margaret Jazz Quartet.” The group has performed at Madison’s Jazz at 5 Festival, Milwaukee's 3rd Ward Jazz Festival, Monona Terrace, the Brink Lounge, Opus Lounge, and a host of other venues. Alison has also performed at many famous Chicago jazz haunts and festivals, including the Green Mill, the Hot House, Jazz Showcase, and the Navy Pier.

Alison also teaches Piano, Voice, Music Theory and Jazz Harmony.

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