Page-Shipp, Roy J.Van Niekerk, Caroline2014-07-082014-07-082014-05Page-Shipp, R & Van Niekerk, C 2014, 'A superannuated physicist's attempts to master music theory : resolving cognitive conflicts and a paradigm clash', International Journal of Music Education, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 159-170.0255-7614 (print)1744-795X (online)10.1177/0255761413503930http://hdl.handle.net/2263/40616A 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.en© The Author(s) 2013Keyboard layoutMature learnersMental modelsMusic theorySight-readingArticle