30 ABR. 2025 · Welcome to Hot Topics! Join us in this insightful episode as host Gabrielle Crichlow engages with music educator and accomplished harpist and pianist, Candace Lark, to explore the fundamentals of music theory. Together, they break down what music theory truly entails, discussing the critical distinction between reading notes and memorizing sounds, while addressing the concerning gaps in knowledge among college music students.
This episode delves into the vital role of music theory in education, covering essential topics such as the core elements of music—including notes, scales, chords, and rhythms—and how these concepts form the foundation for understanding and creating music. Candace emphasizes the importance of skills like sight-reading, ear training, and chord structure, which empower musicians to collaborate, transpose, and compose with greater ease.
However, the conversation also highlights significant challenges in traditional music education, including its Eurocentric focus that often neglects diverse musical traditions, as well as the detrimental cuts to music programs in schools. These issues leave many students ill-prepared for college-level music courses, leading institutions to implement remedial programs.
Listeners will gain insight into innovative approaches aimed at making music theory instruction more engaging and relevant, ensuring that it resonates with students' unique musical interests and experiences. Advocates for music education argue for a greater societal recognition of music's intrinsic value. This episode provides a balanced perspective on the critical debates surrounding music theory and its adaptation in modern music education, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about the arts.
Who is Candace Lark?
Candace Lark is a professional harpist, teacher, speaker, and musician life coach. She assists musicians with tasks such as creating contracts and dealing with gatekeepers. Candace draws from over 25 years of teaching and performance experience to prepare young students for competitions and college auditions. She is a co-founder of Harpquest, a supplemental harp program for young harpists, and a certified Harpmastery Coach, coaching harpists nationwide to meet specific harp goals. In her free time, Candace enjoys spending time with her husband, their dog, reading a good book, and of course, enjoying great music.
You can find Candace:
On the web # 1: https://www.thehappymusician.com/
On the web # 2: https://happymusicianstudio.com/
On Facebook # 1: https://www.facebook.com/thehappymusician
On Facebook # 2: https://www.facebook.com/happymusicianstudio
On Facebook # 3: https://www.facebook.com/groups/happymusiciancoaching/
On Instagram # 1: https://www.instagram.com/thehappymusician/
On Instagram # 2: https://www.instagram.com/happpymusicianstudio/
On Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thehappymusician
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thehappymusiciancoach/
By email: thehappymusician2@gmail.com
Candace has a promo: Happy Musician Studio will wave the online lesson registration fee for all our viewers, a $150 savings. Just say "Hot Topics Podcast" when signing up.
Candace also has a freebie: Get a free copy of her e-book "The 31-Day Workbook - The Happy Musician Workbook"! Use the code "HotTopics24" to waive the $15 fee. Here's the link to the e-book: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/FGTES3FC4XNVP/checkout/NV24X7NJ36ADDNQRKPOKAJLD
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/YiXQqFf3xHE
Rate this episode on IMDB: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt34259024/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
********************************************
Follow Gabrielle Crichlow:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabrielle.crichlow
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielle.crichlow
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-crichlow
Follow A Step Ahead Tutoring Services:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astepaheadtutoringservices
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astepaheadtutoringservices
On X: https://www.x.com/ASATS2013
On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asats2013
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-step-ahead-tutoring-services
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@astepaheadtutoringservices
On Eventbrite: https://astepaheadtutoringservices.eventbrite.com
Visit us on the web: https://www.astepaheadtutoringservices.com
Sign up for our email list: https://squareup.com/outreach/a41DaE/subscribe
Sign up for our text list: https://eztxt.s3.amazonaws.com/534571/widgets/61fc686d8d6665.90336120.html
Check out our full "Hot Topics!" podcast: https://www.astepaheadtutoringservices.com/hottopicspodcast
Support us:
Cash App: https://cash.app/$ASATS2013
PayPal: https://paypal.me/ASATS2013
Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/ASATS2013
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hot-topics--5600971/support
Original date of episode: October 23, 2024