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Music Theory Basics 3


Delve into the more advanced concepts of harmony, including extended tertian chords (e.g., 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths) and learn the fundamental principles of musical form and motivic development.

The course begins with a brief review of music notation fundamentals, including key signatures, modes, meters, and time signatures. You’ll soon explore 7th chords and begin to train your ear to the subtleties of chord inversions. Building off these concepts, you’ll dive into chord extensions and lead sheet notation, so that you are able to identify and notate traditional and nontraditional chords in songs using lead sheet symbols—a strong skill to have when working with other musicians.

You'll then apply these concepts and explore melody and growth in compositions, with a focus on motivic development and manipulation. By the end of this course, you'll be well-prepared to appreciate, analyze, and create your own expressive compositions.

What you will learn:

✔ Create a short melodic example in a complex meter  
✔ Identify various seventh chords and their inversions in popular musical excerpts  
✔ Notate harmonic progressions using lead sheet symbols  
✔ Identify and construct 9th, 11th, and 13th chords, in addition to non-tertian chords, such as added tone chords and suspended chords  
✔ Create your own musical compositions

Join us and learn music theory online!

Prerequisite skills:

Next Session

Jan. 13 - Feb. 9, 2025 

Teen and adult sections

VIEW ALL DATES

Tuition

$299

Ages

Teens: Grades 6-12

Adult Learners: 18+

Receive expert guidance
Learn from world-class faculty who provide personalized feedback
Learn at your own pace
Explore engaging video content and meaningful instruction
Meet your instructor and classmates
Join an optional weekly class to connect with other artists in real-time
Practice and create
Strengthen your craft over four weeks as you develop creative projects
Find collaborators
Collaborate on your projects—or just for fun—in direct messages and group chats
  • MuseScore (free music notation software) or another music notation software that you are comfortable using and that allows you to export music as PDF (notation) and MP3 (audio) files
  • Computer or mobile device with Internet. Internet speed must be at least 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload. For students using a mobile device, download the Canvas mobile app and select “Interlochen Online” as your school. (Note: Make sure your computer is compatible with MuseScore.)

No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).

Yes, there are eight sessions of courses per year. View the academic calendar for more session dates.

Interlochen Online certificateThis is one of three courses needed to complete the Music Theory Basics certificate program.

Our online arts certificate programs are perfect for...

Adults looking to boost their creative résumé and LinkedIn profile

Teens who want to earn high school credit for their passion 

Upon completion of the program, you will receive a physical certificate and a shareable digital certificate. Certificates for students under 18 are accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS); high school-age students will also receive an official transcript to share with their current school for consideration for high school credit.

Interlochen Online's Learning Experience

World-class. Inspiring. Flexible.

Meet the Faculty

Andrew Martin Smith, D.M.A.

Instructor of Music Composition & Theory

Questions? Speak with an Advisor.

Email: online@interlochen.org 

Phone: 231.276.5990 

You can also schedule an appointment.

Access Free Resources from Interlochen Online

Experience Interlochen Online with free guides that teach you practical skills in the arts.

The first few pages of the Music Theory Basics 1 study guide.