Thanks everyone for the replies so far!
Of course I welcome further discussion on the topic.
Just a little background on me, so everyone knows where I'm coming from. I started playing piano at 8, and continued on through high school.
I was taught theory through instruction but never really applied it because I was more concerned on playing very advanced pieces for recitals (showmanship and technical presentation was always more important to me than theory)
I was a music major at Belmont University for a year, majoring in vocal performance, so harmony and ear training was taught in a class setting. You'd think I'd be able to read music better by now, but I tend to play better by chords and compose by ear, than by formal reading.
I think it's safe to say the general consensus is that theory is best taught through practical application, and that it can be a tool but not the begin all, end all of musicianship.
Despite being able to match pitches fairly easily as a singer, I still struggle with reading music and distinguishing intervals (ear training and sight singing in the classroom was a hopeless nightmare for me).
Any more input on the subject? Great discussion everyone. The articles I'm writing are geared towards the novice.
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