This course is about how music works. It is about the relationship between the technical and aesthetic details of music. It is also about how developing a meaningful theoretical vocabulary can help you think and talk about musical style, and how learning that vocabulary can expand your appreciation for music.
Offered By
Approaching Music Theory: Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony
California Institute of the ArtsAbout this Course
29,120 recent views
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Intermediate Level
I recommended you have a basic knowledge of music notation prior to starting this course. Specific details are provided in the first week.
Approx. 22 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish
What you will learn
Analyze the relationship between the technical details and aesthetics of music.
Explore how culture, psychology, physics, formal context, and a sense of play all shape musical language.
Discover ways in which music theory may be relevant to enjoying, communicating a love for, and performing music.
Demonstrate confidence in the kind of musical self-analysis that can help you develop your own musical ideas.
Skills you will gain
- Music
- Classical Music
- Jazz
- Music composition
- Music theory
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Intermediate Level
I recommended you have a basic knowledge of music notation prior to starting this course. Specific details are provided in the first week.
Approx. 22 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish
Offered by
California Institute of the Arts
CalArts has earned an international reputation as the leading college of the visual and performing arts in the United States. Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater—CalArts has championed creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
14 minutes to complete
Course Overview
This introductory module lets you know what is involved in the course. Come on in!
14 minutes to complete
1 video (Total 1 min), 9 readings
5 hours to complete
Melodic Structures: Lines, Shapes, and Simple Modes
In this module, we will being to develop a vocabulary that is useful in describing the technicalities behind musical expression. To do this, we will start right away closely examining some actual, real music. First we will look at some Gregorian Chant (which, come on, can be stunningly beautiful). Second we will use some slow classic Jazz to thoughtfully build our vocabulary.
5 hours to complete
16 videos (Total 93 min), 11 readings, 7 quizzes
7 hours to complete
Melodic Structures: Simplicity, Repetition, and Change
In this module, still looking at single melodic lines, we will start to branch farther afield to describe some useful technical descriptions of the differences between different simple and complicated musical styles.
7 hours to complete
17 videos (Total 140 min), 8 readings, 9 quizzes
5 hours to complete
Combining Pitches: Consonance and Dissonance
Now we will start to describe different ways to think about playing pitches simultaneously. Carefully considering our terms, we will listen to a wide spectrum of styles before settling in to focus on the basics of common practice rules.
5 hours to complete
17 videos (Total 136 min), 4 readings, 6 quizzes
5 hours to complete
Cadences and Basic Harmonic Function
Beginning with a fuller examination of cadences, we will come up with ways to describe chords and harmonic function that help us talk and think about different styles of music. Finally, we will consider how our newly constructed vocabulary can help us describe the function and aesthetics of more and more complete pieces of music.
5 hours to complete
18 videos (Total 108 min), 3 readings, 4 quizzes
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM APPROACHING MUSIC THEORY: MELODIC FORMS AND SIMPLE HARMONY
by JPSep 9, 2019
Completely different approach of teaching music theory. Even if you already studied music theory it is worth to take this course. It really goes deeply into our music recognition and creation process.
by AWJul 4, 2020
Great survey of Western music. I found it more of an appreciation of listening to music rather than a formal music theory course. There's lots of opportunity to learn different styles of composition.
by PGMar 12, 2021
Excellent, challenging course which opens your eyes and ears to many genres of music. Wonderfully presented with humour and concise descriptive explanation. Thank you
by HSMay 5, 2020
It's not simply a course but it's a journey through decades of music. What a fun way to learn! Especially with such an interactive and amazing instructor.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
