Finally Learn Music Theory Like You’ve Always Wanted
Whether you are an instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, or music lover, chances are you would benefit from a deep dive into the world of music theory. Introducing The Complete Music Theory Foundation, a 10-week course designed to be valuable for beginners through advanced musicians (unless you’re already a theory expert). The course covers intervals, key signatures, simple to complex rhythms and chord structures, progressions, ear training, and much more. Join music theory expert David Rodgers and bring all of your burning questions. See below for the full course outline and registration options.
COmplete Music Theory Foundation 10 Week Course
Course Outline
Week 1 Foundations
Benefits of music theory
Music alphabet, piano placement
Sharps and flats, enharmonics
Staffs, clefs, and solfege
Modern note naming (ie. F#6)
Week 2 Rhythms
Note values, rest values, and dots
Time signature bottom and top
Simple rhythms
Syncopation and ties
Complex rhythms with examples
Week 3 Keys+Scales
Whole vs half steps
Major and minor scale patterns
Natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales
Circle of fifths and key signatures
Order of sharps and flats
Week 4 Intervals
Interval meaning
Major, minor, and perfect intervals
Augmented & diminished intervals
Consonance vs dissonance
Interval ear training
Week 5 Chords
Major and minor triads
Augmented and diminished triads
Inversions
Diatonic chords in major and minor
Roman numeral chord naming
Week 6 Progressions
Tonic, subdominant, and dominant
Common chord progressions
Authentic and half cadences
Plagal and deceptive cadences
Chordal music analysis
Week 7 Scales Pt. 2
Relative vs parallel major and minor
All seven modes
Pentatonic major and minor scales
Chromatic, whole tone, and blues scales
Music examples
Week 8 Chords Pt. 2
Seventh chord structure
Suspended chords structure
Borrowed chords
Modulation and pivot points
Slash chords and inversions pt. 2
Week 9 Composition
Voice and instrument ranges
Spacing of voices
Forbidden harmonic motion
Rules of voice doubling
Leaps and tendency tones
Week 10 Comp. Pt. 2
Sonata and rondo form
Strophic, binary, ternary form
Popular song structure
Themes and motifs
Passing, neighboring tones
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is each session?
Each week, the session is planned for approximately 60 minutes. If everyone understands and asks no questions, it could go as quickly as 45 minutes. If lots of questions and explanations occur, it could go as long as 75 minutes.
Are there refunds for the entire course, or for missed classes?
Participants may request a full course refund only before the start of week two’s session. There are no refunds for missing classes, but course recordings will be available to stream for two weeks after the session.
What experience do I need?
Some level of musical experience is helpful, but not necessary, as the course begins at the very beginning (a very good place to start).
Are there any quizzes, tests, homework assignments?
There are no quizzes or tests or grades. There are some suggested assignments, but these are not to be turned in and can be done only if find they are useful for you. You may ask questions about the answers at the next session.
Do I need any materials?
No materials are necessary. However, if you learn well by taking notes, then a notebook or web/phone app is a good idea for you.
I can’t make the time. Are there alternate sessions?
Right now, the only session times available are those that are listed here on this web page. You can certainly sign up and view all of the recordings only. Or you can contact us via the contact page to request other times (we can’t guarantee this)
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