News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Piano Practice Software Progress by TimTheTinker on Sunday March 28, 2021 @12:04PM (#26611426)
I beg to differ. Music theory is essential regardless of whether you're playing off lead sheets, playing by ear, improvising, or reading scores.

You can't get good at any of them beyond a certain point without having your theory nailed down.

Re:Piano Practice Software Progress by jimmy2times on Sunday March 28, 2021 @12:51PM (#26611863)
I would add that music theory and sight-reading are orthogonal. My partner learned piano at a young age, and she can follow a sheet but won't know what chords she's playing. I learned guitar by ear but I'm always thinking about intervals/chords/modes. Obviously having both of these skills would be great.