Many people believe that it is all the same when you learn music theory, whether playing the piano, cello, or violin. And while you can learn how to play an instrument, music theory is a helpful tool that provides a deeper understanding of music, and you can learn to read sheet music which makes it easier to play.

So, are all music theory fundamentals the same across the board? The short answer is that many basic music theory terms and knowledge are similar across all instruments. 

But at the same time, when learning their music theory, specific tactics or techniques can all be more instrument-independent regarding detailed notes, scales, chords, harmony, and transposition. This idea of music theory goes for any instrument with strings, from the guitar to the piano and the violin.

Here’s a breakdown of music theory fundamentals across three powerful instruments: the Cello, Piano, and Violin, and how they are different individually.

Some Basic Music Theory

Before jumping into the differences in music theory, it is helpful to work with basic music theory terms. Some of the fundamental terms that work across all instruments include:

• Rhythm - a regularly repeated pattern of sounds

• Notes - 7 letters of the musical alphabet make up notes and scales from A♭ (A flat) to G# (G Sharp). Notes are one of the fundamentals to make up music theory, so you must understand these when learning to play an instrument.

• Musical scales - The scales depend on the key signature that a song or musical piece is in, such as The key of B would be a B scale. Major scales don’t have as many sharps or flats, and other variations of the scales, including the harmonic, melodic, and natural, can differ depending on the instrument.

• Dynamics - dynamics are helpful when putting emotion and feeling into your music. They are a series of different symbols that show you where to put emphasis on a note, play it more softly, or play it forcefully. You see symbols and small letters on your music, such as mf (mezzo-forte), ff (fortissimo), and pp (pianissimo).

Music Theory Differences - Piano, Violin, and Cello

The piano is a visual instrument, meaning you can sit down and look at the keys to play the notes. Basic music theory for the piano allows you to look at the notes laid out sequentially and where to play the note on the piano. With black and white keys it’s easy to remember where notes are and how they relate to one another.

Notes, Intervals, and Chords

A simple definition of playing a chord is when you can play more than one note at a time to create a fuller, richer sound. Chords are one of the more noticeable differences between a piano and another stringed instrument. 

Notes are easy to see on the piano, whereas on a violin or a cello, and other stringed instruments, there are many places where you can play the same note. It can make learning music theory on those instruments (violin and cello) more challenging.  The piano gives you a greater, more straightforward visual of intervals, chords, and scales.

For example, when playing the C major chord on the piano, you play the three notes C, E, and G. Chords aren’t easily played on the violin or cello since you can’t visually see the notes to play and have to bear down on your bow to play more than one string at a time. 

On a violin, if you play an open E string, then play your first finger F#, you have played two notes that are a whole step apart, but you can not see the whole step from E to F#. The white and black keys make the half and whole-step intervals more easily seen on the piano.

Clefs on the Sheet Music

Another primary difference when learning music theory on the piano, violin, and cello is when reading music. The piano teaches you how to reach music on both the bass and treble clefs since you utilize both your right and left hands. The bass clef indicates how to play with the left hand, or bass notes, and the notes displayed on the treble clef are played with the right hand. 

The violin focuses on the treble clef only. You only care about playing the notes for that clef when reading music in this fashion. Any notes indicated on the bass clef are not played on the violin, so you would never see them in your sheet music. Playing the violin is highly dependent on sheet music, whereas, with the piano, you can get away without playing across the entire staff and pluck notes out by ear.

With the cello, most music is in the bass clef, with some notes moving into the tenor (or alto) clef if the music reaches higher octaves. On the cello, players don’t often adapt to the change in clefs well, so the music usually stays up in the higher clef after making the change so as not to be so challenging.

Every Player Should Learn Music Theory

When taking on learning any instrument, music theory is a vital piece of your education. Playing and learning music is an incredible benefit to your brain, and music has a powerful way of uplifting you when you’re feeling down.

A working knowledge of music theory allows you to understand your instrument more profoundly and helps you learn how to play more quickly and efficiently from. In addition, when you have music theory under your belt, it is easy to apply your learning when learning a new instrument.

While there are some significant differences in the fundamentals of music theory behind the piano, violin, and cello, and even beginner drum lessons, many of the theory terms and practices you learn will be similar. So, choose your favorite instrument that will hold your attention and work diligently with it as you know more about music theory.

The best way to incorporate music theory when learning a new instrument is by working with a professional instructor and taking frequent lessons. Sure, you can self-teach yourself how to play without taking classes, but even the best musicians never stop learning. So you should take your knowledge to another level, even as a seasoned performer, by working with someone who can offer ways to continue building your skills.