Longer essays

The pillar pages under Learn are written to answer a question quickly. These are written to be read start to finish.

Currently published

• First steps in music theory — For the curious adult who has never studied any.

Essay-length pieces elsewhere on the site

Several pillar essays are substantial enough to belong here too.

• What is music theory? — On theory as description rather than prescription.
• Perfect pitch: how rare, and does it matter — On a widely misunderstood ability.
• Deliberate practice for musicians — On why hours are the wrong metric.
• How hard is the violin? — On difficulty, honestly assessed.

New essays are published irregularly, when there is something worth saying. There is no newsletter to join and nothing to sign up for.