Abstract:
A sexagenarian retired physicist (the first author) set out, with the assistance of members of a
university music department, to acquire some insight into Western music theory. For a lifelong
singer and seasoned autodidact, this appeared to be a not too formidable challenge, yet he
experienced significant difficulty in penetrating the music theory paradigm. He discovered an
entry point in the layout of black and white keys on the keyboard, which presented a “mental
model” amenable to his physicist’s mindset. The experience could prove valuable in further
exploration of the use of the keyboard layout in teaching music theory to students of all ages with
little or no exposure to the piano or other keyboard instruments. The process also suggests new
perspectives of familiar learning challenges for mature candidates.
