UMT Blog

Landmark Notes

When we teach how to find the 4 Landmark Notes in the Bass Staff and in the Treble Staff, Students learn how to identify every Staff Note.

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Music Period Types

In Music Theory, students are expected to identify the Period Types demonstrated in a passage of music. Learn what this means and how to easily teach it.

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Counting Interval Numbers

Counting Interval Numbers can be confusing. Discover why Students will say an Interval is a 4th (when it's a 5th). Learn how to easily identify intervals!

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Ledger Line Mistakes

Ledger Line Mistakes occur when we don't understand the Ledger Line Rules. Explore 3 Common Ledger Line Mistakes that Students (& Teachers) often write.

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Coronavirus – How to set up zoom to teach online music lessons – COVID-19 Pandemic

Do not miss out on valuable teaching time! Learn how to set up zoom to teach online music lessons - Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic. Step By Step Zoom Set Up!

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Writing Whole Notes

Writing Whole Notes does not have to be tricky. Explore 3 Rules for Writing Whole Notes and discover how to make it super easy for students to write them.

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So-La and Ti-Do

Have you ever wondered HOW to inspire, motivate and challenge your Students? It's easy with So-La and Ti-Do - the Ultimate Music Theory Stuffies! Learn how!

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Incomplete Measure

What's an Incomplete Measure? Why do we have Incomplete Measures? How do we count an Incomplete Measure? Where do we write Measure Numbers? Let's find out!

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Dominant Seventh Chord Inversions

Dominant Seventh Chord Inversions are easy to write with proper note placement when you follow the 4 Steps to writing Dominant Seventh Chord Inversions!

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Music Theory Beginner A Lesson 1 Blog

In the Music Theory Beginner A Lesson 1 Blog, I will share ideas from my own teaching with my students as we explore Lesson 1 - Fingers and Directions.

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Melody Writing in 5 Steps

Melody Writing Questions are now a part of nationally recognized Theory Examinations. Learn how to teach Students to write their melodies in 5 (easy) steps.

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Draw C Clef Signs

The C Clef Sign is a symbol to Landmark Middle C in 5 different locations on 5 different staves. Learn how to Draw C Clef Signs easily to properly pitch C.

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Tracking Skills – Learning Styles Blog #6

If your students lose their place or can't follow the music, they may have poor Tracking Skills. Learn how to develop and strengthen their Tracking Skills.

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ADHD Student – Learning Styles Blog #5

When teaching Theory to an ADHD Student or one who struggles to concentrate, varying their body position can support them in successful learning.

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Special Needs Learner – Learning Styles Blog #4

When teaching a special needs learner, teachers are often required to “think outside the box” to meet the Special Learning Needs of the Student.

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Kinesthetic Learner – Learning Styles Blog #3

Kinesthetic Learners have great hand-eye coordination. Learn the best way to teach your Kinesthetic Learner by using a Pentascale.

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The Auditory Learner – Learning Styles Blog #2

An Auditory Learner likes to listen. Discover tips on teaching an Auditory Learner. Explore how to use Pentascales to inspire transposition and learning.

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Visual Learner – Learning Styles Blog #1

The Visual Learner likes to see instructions written down or write them down themselves. Using Pentascales can help Visual Learners understand and "get it".

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Basic Beats Improve Sight Reading

Understanding how to scoop Basic Beats will improve your Sight Reading - especially the RCM Exam Requirement to tap a steady beat and clap the rhythm.

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New RCM Theory Syllabus

Has the New RCM Theory Syllabus got you worried and confused? Don't Panic! At Ultimate Music Theory, we've got you covered!

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Teaching Articulation Marks

Staccato, portato, tenuto, accent and fermata are Articulation Marks - signs that show us how to play a note. Learn how to teach playing different touches.

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How to Teach With an Upbeat

UMT shows how teaching each lesson with an Upbeat attitude is the key to the success of the lesson. The word “Upbeat” means happy; cheerful and optimistic.

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Why Use Practice Exams

Stanford University Studies prove it and so do Ultimate Music Theory Exam Results - when Students use Practice Exams to prepare for exams, they do better!

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Music Theory Exam – Need Help?

Overwhelmed? Get your UMT Practice Music Theory Exam & Answer books PLUS a FREE eBook - "5 Common Mistakes Students Make on Exams and How to Avoid Them".

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Music Theory Exam Games

Playing Games makes learning more fun. Playing Music Theory Exam Games helps students prepare for exams and have fun learning and reviewing concepts easily.

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Prep Music Theory Games

Learn Faster & Have Fun - Prep Music Theory Games enhance your learning. Get the matching beginner Prep 1 & Prep 2 Music Theory Books and Free Lesson Plans!

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Playing Games Improves Learning

Did you know that playing games improves learning? Get 80 FREE Flashcards in each Ultimate Music Theory Workbook plus the UMT Games to improve learning!

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Draw a Bass Clef Properly

The Bass Clef - discover How to say "Bass" properly; Why we use 3 black dot; How to play "Bass Clef Baseball" and How to draw a Bass Clef sign correctly!

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Draw a Treble Clef Properly

The Treble Clef - learn When was it invented; Why we should draw it properly; What is so special about that G pitch and How to draw a Treble Clef properly.

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Preparatory Tempo Marks

Preparatory Tempo Marks, introduced in Prep 1 Rudiments, provide students with a foundation for understanding speed. Here are 6 Tips to remember the terms.

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Whole Rest in 3/2 Time

In 3/2 Time, a Whole Rest can equal 3 beats of silence. It can also equal 2 beats of silence. Why? Because the Whole Rest in 3/2 Time has 2 functions.

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Whole Rest in 2/4 Time

Have you or your students ever wondered why you must use a Whole Rest in 2/4 Time for a full measure of silence? Learn why you cannot use a Half Rest.

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Whole Rest in 4/2 Time

A Whole Rest fills an entire measure of silence in any Time Signature except 4/2 Time. Learn 3 Tips on how to use a Breve Rest and a Whole Rest in 4/2 Time.

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Have Fun Teaching Theory ABC’s!

You'll have fun teaching when we have the teaching tools that make learning the ABC’s of Music Theory Easy! Learn these tools and how to use them.

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4 Tips for Theory Exam Preparation

How can you prepare your Students for a Successful Theory Examination Experience? Discover 4 Tips for Theory Exam Preparation that make exams easy and fun!

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Positions? Try Pentascales!

Learn 3 reasons why using Pentascales instead of Positions will build a stronger foundation in Sight Reading and Transposing for your students.

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15 Minute Theory Lesson

15 Minute Theory Lesson - When Teaching Theory, how can you cover all the required material, make it relevant AND prepare your students for exams in 15 Min.

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Influence Students – Three Ways

Influence Students to achieve success. Ultimate Music Theory shows you three ways - by teaching differently, teaching different things and stirring emotion.

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The Power of Influence

Influence is powerful. Learn how to teach effectively using the two kinds of influence - Positive Influence and Negative Influence. What motivates you?

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Music Theory Games

The UMT Basic Theory Games Pack includes 6 Individual Laminated Music Theory Games that are the perfect 9 X 12 size. Plus 2 Free Posters - Guide and Chart

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3 Things My Father Taught Me

Treasured Lessons - 3 Things My Father Taught Me about teaching with passion. It's never too late to learn something new. Learn and Share these 3 Secrets.

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Preparatory Theory Exam – Parent’s Perspective

Why should students prepare for the RCM Preparatory Theory Exam? Read this parent review and learn why and when students should start music theory.

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Transpose Music Theory – Major or Minor

When explaining how to transpose music theory, one concept that students tend to struggle with is maintaining the tonality. UMT helps understand why.

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I Don’t Like Music Theory – Until Now…

What changed from "don't like" to I LOVE Music Theory? Glory St Germain's Ultimate Music Theory Certification Course - Amazing, Complete and Cohesive.

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3 Things My Mother Taught Me

My mother taught me many things about teaching. The most important life lessons in my journey to successful teaching. Learn Three secrets to succeed.

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Transpose Music – Where to Write Dynamics?

Transpose Music- Where to Write Dynamics? Ultimate Music Theory teaches how to write dynamics when transposing music in the Treble Clef or Bass Clef.

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Music Note Stems – Pizza and Donuts

Music Note Stems - Pizza and Donuts explains how the use of memory joggers can help you learn new things. Post offers two Music Note Stems Memory Joggers.

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Music Rest Placement – Only 1 Correct Answer?

Music Rest Placement - Is there more than one correct Rest Placement Answer when adding rests to complete a measure of rhythm? Yes and No - Learn Why.

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First Class Honors with Distinction in 6 Weeks

Get First Class Honors with Distinction in 6 Weeks, it's easy when you use the Ultimate Music Theory Workbooks, Answer Books, Lesson Plans and Exam Series!

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3 Teaching Tips for a New Music Teacher

Are you a "new" or beginner music teacher looking for Teaching Tips to accelerate your learning? Here are 3 Essential Teaching Tips you must know.

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