About Core Music Theory

You will develop...

Note from the Author

• A fluency in the language of music

• A proficiency in writing and identifying scales, intervals, rhythms, chords, and more

• An understanding of ear training—how to identify what you hear

• The skills you need to improvise

• The ability to apply this to your instrument to make you a stronger player

Thanks for your interest in Core Music Theory for String Players!  First a little about me… I earned my degrees in Cello Performance, a Bachelor’s Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Master’s Degree from UCLA.  After an extensive performing career and having taught private cello lessons and group string classes for about 30 years, I was inspired to write this series of music theory workbooks when I realized how much more instructional time I would have with students if they could simply learn this material outside of the lesson.  Also, I wanted to teach students to think the way I and other string players do, relating these concepts to the instrument itself.  For example, when I want to play a minor 6th on the cello, I’ll just use 1st finger on one string and 2nd finger on the next.  Or, to play a major triad it's 1 – x4 – 1, or 4 – 1 – 4.  Understanding how this works on the fingerboard simplifies the theory concepts and actually helps me as a cellist.  I saw my students struggling with the simplest things.  I’d say, “What’s a perfect 5th above B?”  Student: “Oh!  [counting on fingers] B, C, D, E, F… it’s B to F, right?”  My response: “…ah …no.”   So I knew there had to be a better way, and that is to utilize the instrument itself. 

This series, Core Music Theory for String Players, guides students from the absolute beginning to college entrance level music theory and harmony.  It consists of eleven levels of workbooks for each instrument (violin, viola, cello, and bass), as well as one answer key per instrument.  It’s organized in such a way that students can grasp the concepts independently, with plenty of review for retention and three tests per volume to ensure mastery of the concepts and for teacher assessment. 

I have my students buy a book for themselves and an answer key for the parent.  They come to the lesson with occasional questions, and I spend a few minutes quizzing them on the material to be sure they truly understand.  It has enabled me to be the teacher I really want to be, with time to teach technique and repertoire, and with students confident in note reading, rhythm, musical terms, and harmony. 

I hope you too will benefit from learning these theory concepts before encountering them in your music, as it has helped my students and others internationally.  I’m excited to see more and more schools, Suzuki programs, and music studios across the United States choose Core Music Theory as their required theory text. There are sample pages on the website, and there’s a quantity discount you’ll find on the checkout page.  I hope you find this series to be as helpful as I have!

—Celine Gietzen

For The Student

Making music is a joyous experience that enhances our lives like no other.  People of all cultures have been traveling this path for thousands of years.  Increasing your knowledge about music theory will make the study of music a richer experience for you.  

Music theory will help you make sense of what you see on the printed page.  This knowledge will ultimately facilitate your interpretation of music and enable you to find your own personal style that you use to express yourself through music.  You’re on a worthwhile journey!

For the Teacher
& the Parent

Core Music Theory for String Players is a comprehensive music theory program designed to help string players understand music notation and to introduce basic harmony.  The series includes 11 volumes each for violin, viola, cello, and bass (Preparatory Level through Level 10).  An answer key, covering all levels, is also available for each instrument.  For guidance in selecting a level, click here:  Levels

Every workbook contains a review of previous levels.  While it is most beneficial for the student to complete every level of this series, it can be started at any level (depending on the student’s prior training).  Children under the age of nine will benefit from parental guidance.  Students will likely require input from their teacher at the more advanced levels.

The workbooks are valuable for all music students.  They can also be used to prepare those students enrolled in internationally-recognized music evaluation programs.