This course will introduce students to the theory of music, providing them with the skills needed to read and write Western music notation, as well as to understand, analyse, and listen informedly. It will cover material such as pitches and scales, intervals, clefs, rhythm, form, meter, phrases and cadences, and basic harmony.
This course covers the fundamentals of Western music theory, from the absolute basics to some more advanced concepts and, as such, is the perfect course for beginners and more experienced musicians alike.
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Fundamentals of Music Theory
Offered By
The University of Edinburgh
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
11 hour to complete
Pitches, Scales, Modes and Chords
6 videos (Total 42 min), 6 readings, 1 quiz
6 videos
Musical Notes10m
Octaves10m
More on Scales6m
Introduction to Chords9m
Primary Chords4m
6 readings
Meet the Team
Musical Notes
Octaves
More on Scales
Introduction to Chords
Primary Chords
1 practice exercise
Lecture One22m
Week
21 hour to complete
Keys, Minor Scales, Intervals and Clefs
6 videos (Total 40 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
6 videos
Introduction32s
Sharps & Flats6m
Keys and Key Signatures12m
Minor Keys9m
Intervals6m
Ledger Lines and Clefs4m
5 readings
Sharps and Flats
Keys and Key Signatures
Minor Keys
Intervals
Ledger Lines and Clefs
1 practice exercise
Lecture Two20m
Week
31 hour to complete
Rhythm and Form
7 videos (Total 21 min), 6 readings, 1 quiz
7 videos
Introduction30s
Rhythmic Duration3m
Tuplets2m
Ties & Dots3m
Meter4m
Anacrusis, Phrases and Structure5m
Form2m
6 readings
Rhythmic Duration
Tuplets
Ties and Dots
Meter
Anacrusis, Phrases, and Structure
Form
1 practice exercise
Lecture Three24m
Week
41 hour to complete
Harmony 1: Functional Harmony
6 videos (Total 40 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
5 readings
Listening to Triads and Hearing the Key Note
Elaborating
Building Triads
Harmonising
Summary
1 practice exercise
Lecture Four20m
4.6
228 Reviews33%
started a new career after completing these courses
25%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
22%
got a pay increase or promotion
Top Reviews
It was a very nice course. We were able to understand the basics of music theory and how the notations and chords work. Thank you so much to the entire staff of Edinburgh University and Coursera..:-)
As a Buzzok player and a software engineer, this course encourages me to play on my instrument differently and to think in a new web application for music discipline !!\n\nThank you very much
Instructors
Dr Michael Edwards
Reid School of Music, ECA
Dr Zack Moir
Teaching FellowReid School of Music, Edinburgh College of Art
Richard Worth
Edinburgh College of Art
Dr Nikki Moran
Reid School of Music, ECA
Dr John Philip Kitchen, MA BMus PhD FRCO LRAM
Reid School of Music
Eli Appleby-Donald
Edinburgh College of Art
About The University of Edinburgh
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Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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