The Benefit of Audiation Over Music Theory for Young Learners

Despite widespread advocacy from music educators that children should be taught music theory from an early age, this traditional emphasis on theoretical knowledge often fails to engage young learners’ innate creativity and musical potential. While experts like Christopher Small and Bennett Reimer have made compelling arguments for the importance of music theory in the development of musical literacy, a closer examination reveals that learning music by ear remains the more effective and engaging method for fostering intuition and musical fluency in children.

Many music educators emphasize the importance of music theory as a foundational component of music education, arguing that a thorough understanding of musical notation, scales, harmony, and rhythm is essential for students to develop as proficient musicians. For example, Christopher Small, a prominent musicologist, argues in his book Musicking: The Meaning of Performing and Listening that music theory helps students gain access to the “grammar” of music, providing them with a systematic framework for understanding musical structures. Small writes, “Music theory gives students the tools to comprehend and manipulate the complex layers of music, providing a structure that enhances both performance and composition.” From this perspective, music theory offers an intellectual roadmap that guides students toward deeper musical understanding and technical proficiency.

Similarly, music education theorist Bennett Reimer, in A Philosophy of Music Education, stresses that music theory is vital for cultivating musical literacy and cognitive development. He contends, “Music theory provides the structural knowledge necessary for students to recognize and analyze the underlying principles of music, which in turn makes them more effective performers and composers.” Reimer argues that learning theory equips students to think critically about music, solve musical problems, and engage in meaningful musical expression.

While both Small and Reimer make valid points about the benefits of music theory, there are limitations to emphasizing theory as the primary mode of learning, especially for young children. Music theory, while valuable, can be abstract and disconnected from the natural, creative process that ear training facilitates. Focusing on theory too early can stifle creativity by introducing rigid rules before children have developed the flexibility to express themselves musically.

Ear training, which focuses on developing the ability to understand and internalize music through listening, is a more effective and engaging method for early childhood music education. Audiation, an essential component of ear training, allows children to develop an intuitive understanding of music that can later be formalized through theory. By learning to internalize rhythms, pitches, and melodies first, children can build a strong musical foundation that will enhance their understanding of theory later.

One key reason ear training is especially beneficial for young children is that it aligns with their natural cognitive and perceptual development. Neuroscience research has shown that young children’s brains are highly capable of absorbing complex auditory stimuli. According to music psychologist Diana Deutsch, “Children who receive early exposure to music by ear are more likely to develop advanced aural skills, including perfect pitch.” Ear training enables children to recognize patterns, intervals, and harmonies on a deep emotional level, fostering a more instinctive and creative connection to music.

Moreover, ear training nurtures creativity by giving children the freedom to experiment with sounds and melodies without being constrained by theoretical rules. Children who learn to play music by ear are encouraged to compose and improvise freely, engaging with music in a way that feels personal and expressive. Music educator David J. Hargreaves notes, “Music that is learned by ear allows students to develop a more organic, spontaneous approach to composition and performance, fostering individual expression and musicality.” This freedom to explore music without the constraints of formal notation cultivates creativity, which is often stifled when children are taught theory too early.

In addition to fostering creativity, ear training provides numerous cognitive and emotional benefits that theory cannot offer in the same way. By developing strong aural skills, children improve their ability to distinguish between musical elements such as pitch, rhythm, and harmony. This heightened musical perception enhances cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving. A study by the Institute for Music Research found that children who participated in ear training showed significant improvements in auditory processing, memory retention, and problem-solving abilities.

Furthermore, ear training helps children develop a deeper emotional connection to music. When children learn to play by ear, they are not just memorizing patterns or following written instructions; they are internalizing the emotional quality of music itself. This process allows them to express their feelings and experiences through sound, leading to greater emotional intelligence and self-expression. As music educator Edwin Gordon argues, “Music should be learned as a means of expression, not merely as a technical skill.” Ear training gives children the freedom to connect with music on an emotional level.

It is important to note that ear training and music theory are not mutually exclusive, and should be integrated into a balanced curriculum. However, the sequence in which they are introduced is crucial. Children should first engage with music through ear training, learning to internalize sounds, rhythms, and melodies. Once these basic musical instincts are developed, music theory can be introduced as a way to formalize and expand upon this knowledge. This way, music theory becomes a tool for enhancing and refining the creativity that was fostered through ear training, rather than a restrictive set of rules that could stifle spontaneous musical expression.

In conclusion, while experts like Small and Reimer present strong arguments for the value of music theory, their perspectives often overlook the benefits of ear training, particularly for young children. Ear training emphasizes listening, improvisation, and composition by ear, offering a more intuitive, creative, and emotionally resonant approach to music education. By allowing children to develop their musical instincts and express themselves freely, ear training provides a solid foundation for later learning music theory. When theory is introduced after audiation, it enhances the child’s natural musical abilities rather than constraining them. Therefore, ear training should be prioritized in music education to foster creativity, emotional expression, and musical fluency in young learners.

References

Deutsch, D. (2013). Psychology of Music. Diana Deutsch – Psychology of Music. https://deutsch.ucsd.edu/psychology/pages.php?i=601 

Gordon, E. (2012). Learning Sequences in Music: A Contemporary Music Learning Theory. GIA Publications, Inc. 

Hargreaves, D., & Lamont, A. (n.d.). The Psychology of Musical Development. Cambridge Core. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/psychology-of-musical-development/C6BADF11A36C530CAFD496CB5379D2FB 

Miendlarzewska, E. A., & Trost, W. J. (2014, January 20). How musical training affects cognitive development: Rhythm, reward and other modulating variables. Frontiers in neuroscience. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3957486/ 

Reimer, B., & Webster, P. R. (1989). A Philosophy of Music Education. State University of New York Press. 

Small, C. (1998). Musicking — The Meanings of Performing and Listening. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1461380990010102