Fundamentals of Music Theory

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Fundamentals of Music Theory

Instructors: Dr Thomas Butler

402,286 already enrolled

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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There are 6 modules in this course

This course, revised in 2022, will introduce you to the theory of music, providing you 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, metre and time signatures, phrases and cadences, and basic harmony. This course covers the fundamentals of Western music theory, from the absolute basics to some more advanced concepts. As such, it delivers material for beginners and offers much to experienced musicians alike. Learners can apply for Financial Aid directly with Coursera to assist with the cost of accessing the full course and gaining a certificate for successfully completing the course.

What's included

7 videos10 readings1 assignment

7 videosTotal 50 minutes

Introduction to Week 12 minutes
Musical Notes10 minutes
Octaves11 minutes
More on Scales6 minutes
Introduction to Chords9 minutes
Primary Chords4 minutes
Rudiments of Duration Notation8 minutes

10 readingsTotal 67 minutes

Licence Statement1 minute
Music Theory in Critical and Global Context11 minutes
Meet the Team5 minutes
Introduce yourself10 minutes
Musical Notes5 minutes
Octaves5 minutes
More on Scales10 minutes
Introduction to Chords5 minutes
Primary Chords10 minutes
Rudiments of Duration Notation5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 130 minutes

What's included

6 videos5 readings1 assignment

6 videosTotal 41 minutes

Introduction to Week 21 minute
Sharps & Flats6 minutes
Keys and Key Signatures13 minutes
Minor Keys10 minutes
Intervals6 minutes
Ledger Lines and Clefs5 minutes

5 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Sharps and Flats5 minutes
Keys and Key Signatures15 minutes
Minor Keys and Minor Scales15 minutes
Intervals15 minutes
Ledger Lines and Clefs10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 230 minutes

What's included

8 videos6 readings1 assignment

8 videosTotal 33 minutes

Introduction to Week 31 minute
Musical Time: How We Feel It6 minutes
Musical Time: Some Concepts5 minutes
Notating Rhythm4 minutes
Counting with Subdivisions3 minutes
Dots and Ties3 minutes
Metre and Time Signatures10 minutes
Phrase and Form3 minutes

6 readingsTotal 28 minutes

Introduction to Musical Time1 minute
Notating Rhythm1 minute
Counting with Subdivisions1 minute
Dots and Ties5 minutes
Metre and Time Signatures10 minutes
Phrase and Form10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 330 minutes

What's included

6 videos5 readings1 assignment

6 videosTotal 41 minutes

Introduction to Week 41 minute
Listening to triads6 minutes
Elaborating Key: Triads and Scales6 minutes
Building Triads7 minutes
Harmonising a Melody13 minutes
Seventh Chords7 minutes

5 readingsTotal 15 minutes

Listening to Triads5 minutes
Perfect and Imperfect Cadences5 minutes
Building Triads2 minutes
Harmonising1 minute
Seventh Chords2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 430 minutes

What's included

6 videos5 readings1 assignment

6 videosTotal 33 minutes

Introduction to Week 51 minute
Chord Inversions6 minutes
Cadences5 minutes
Chord Names4 minutes
Common Chord Progressions7 minutes
Modulation10 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Chord Inversions10 minutes
Cadences10 minutes
Chord Names5 minutes
Common Chord Progressions15 minutes
Modulation10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 530 minutes

What's included

4 readings1 assignment1 peer review

Instructors

Dr Thomas Butler

The University of Edinburgh

1 Course402,286 learners

Dr John Philip Kitchen MBE

The University of Edinburgh

1 Course402,286 learners

Dr Zack Moir

The University of Edinburgh

1 Course402,286 learners

Offered by

The University of Edinburgh

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

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.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.