Music Theory Basics 1

Music theory provides a language that allows you to express your ideas to others—whether you are a performer, a composer, or just someone who loves to listen to and talk about music. Using a diverse selection of music from the 20th and 21st centuries, this online music theory course explores the fundamental elements of music, looking closely at sound, harmony, melody, rhythm, and growth.

You’ll begin to master the elements of music, including clefs, notation, intervals, pitch, musical texture, and chord construction. You’ll also learn the core principles of melody and harmony, including range, flow, and contour, as well as rhythmic elements that help give structure to music, such as beat, pulse, and duration. 

By the end of this course, you will be able to use the elements of music theory to better understand and communicate about the music you know and love, which, in turn, will enable you to create meaningful and expressive performances and compositions of your own.

What you will learn:

✔ Identify and use the elements of Western music notation, including clefs, notation, intervals, pitch, musical texture, and chord construction    
✔ Apply the core principles of melody and harmony, including range, flow, and contour    
✔ Identify and use rhythmic elements that help give structure to music, such as beat, pulse, and duration    
✔ Create short, original melodies in a monophonic style

Join us and learn music theory online!