Fundamentals of Music Theory
Master the essentials of Western music: decode and create standard notation while building core theory knowledge.
Master the essentials of Western music: decode and create standard notation while building core theory knowledge.
This course, offered by the University of Edinburgh, provides a comprehensive introduction to Western music theory. It covers topics from basic notation to advanced concepts like harmony and modulation. The course is designed for beginners but also offers valuable content for experienced musicians. Students will learn about pitches, scales, intervals, rhythm, form, harmony, and more. The course aims to develop skills in reading and writing music notation, as well as understanding, analyzing, and listening to music informedly.
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What you'll learn
Read and write Western music notation proficiently
Understand and construct scales, modes, and chords
Recognize and use various musical intervals
Analyze rhythm, metre, and musical form
Apply functional harmony concepts in musical analysis
Identify cadences, chord progressions, and modulations
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
196 Minutes PreRecorded video
6 quizzes
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
FullTime access
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There are 6 modules in this course
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Western music theory, covering fundamental concepts to more advanced topics. Over six modules, students will explore various aspects of music theory, starting with pitches, scales, modes, and chords. The curriculum progresses through keys, intervals, rhythm, form, and harmonic analysis. Each module combines video lectures, readings, and interactive quizzes to reinforce learning. The course emphasizes practical skills such as reading and writing music notation, understanding harmonic structures, and analyzing musical pieces. By the end of the course, students will have gained a solid foundation in music theory, enabling them to approach music with a more informed and analytical perspective. The course is designed to be accessible to beginners while also offering depth for more experienced musicians.
Pitches, Scales, Modes and Chords
Module 1 · 2 Hours to complete
Keys, Minor Scales, Intervals and Clefs
Module 2 · 2 Hours to complete
Rhythm and Form
Module 3 · 1 Hours to complete
Harmony 1: Functional Harmony
Module 4 · 1 Hours to complete
Harmony 2: Inversions, Cadences and Sequences
Module 5 · 1 Hours to complete
Harmonic Analysis Practice and Final Exam
Module 6 · 2 Hours to complete
Fee Structure
Payment options
Financial Aid
Instructors
Innovative Music Educator and Composer at the University of Edinburgh
Tom is a Teaching Fellow in Music at the University of Edinburgh and a Glasgow-based composer known for integrating extra-musical elements like video, still images, lighting effects, and theatrical gestures into his work. His compositions often explore themes of sustainability, technology, authority, and illusion. Tom serves as the Musical Director for Ensemble Thing, a new music group. Recent projects include Sandglass, commissioned by Sound Festival and DanceLive; Aeolian Survey, developed during a residency at the Banff Centre in Alberta; and Lament, featured on cellist Robert Irvine's recent CD with Delphian Records.
Learning Technologist
Eli is a member of the learning technology team at Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), where she helps academic and support staff implement university teaching programs. Initially studying Music Technology, Eli developed a passion for teaching and learning after leaving education, which prompted a career change. She earned a Guinness World Record and appeared on CNN for leading a program aimed at enhancing the digital skills of senior citizens, known as "silver surfers." Since then, Eli has worked in both the private and public sectors, focusing on the design and delivery of online and classroom-based learning in the field of digital education.
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Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.