This course is part of the Developing Your Musicianship Specialization

4.9
stars
537 ratings

George W. Russell, Jr.

Top Instructor

32,541 already enrolled

Offered By

Developing Your Musicianship SpecializationBerklee

About this Course

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After a tremendous response from learners on Coursera, Berklee Online has created a Developing Your Musicianship specialization, and this course is the second course in the series. If you have a basic knowledge of music theory or if you have completed Developing Your Musicianship I, this course will continue to help you understand key musical concepts, enabling you to create and perform contemporary music. Taught by Berklee College of Music professor George W. Russell, Jr., the course includes four lessons that delve into the next level of harmony and ear training. 
The course will introduce you to new key signatures, including minor tonalities, and how they are constructed. You will train your ear to hear minor intervals and 7th chords. You will learn how to build 7th chords, and how to build common chord progressions. You will also learn the major pentatonic scale and how to construct melodies using this scale.  

The course culminates with an assignment that asks you to compose and perform an 8-measure composition using popular chord progressions and the Major pentatonic scale. Just like Developing Your Musicianship I, the course is designed to impart the joy of creating music and sharing it with others.

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.

Course 2 of 4 in the

Developing Your Musicianship Specialization

Intermediate Level

Students should complete "Developing Your Musicianship" before enrolling in this course.

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Aurally identify minor intervals and 7th chords
Explain the relationship between a Major key and its related minor
Practice playing and writing in the keys of F Major, D minor, G Major, D minor scales
Write a chord chart

Skills you will gain

Music Performance
Piano
Music
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.

Course 2 of 4 in the

Developing Your Musicianship Specialization

Intermediate Level

Students should complete "Developing Your Musicianship" before enrolling in this course.

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.98/5 (66 Ratings)

George W. Russell, Jr.
Top Instructor

Offered by

Berklee

Established in 1945, Berklee is at the forefront of contemporary music education, bringing its award-winning curriculum to more than 3.5 million students around the world. Currently comprising Berklee College of Music, Berklee Online, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee NYC, Berklee Summer Programs, and more, Berklee is shaping the key players of tomorrow’s music industry. With innovative programs in performance, production, business, theater, dance, and more, students come away from their Berklee experience with a professional portfolio, practical job skills, and a strong sense of community.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(4,288 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Welcome to Musicianship: Chord Charts, Diatonic Chords, and Minor Keys!

1 hour to complete

1 video (Total 4 min), 6 readings, 1 quiz

3 hours to complete

Lesson 1

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 34 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Lesson 2

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 33 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes

Week3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Lesson 3

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 31 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Lesson 4

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 34 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes

Reviews

4.9

157 reviews

5 stars
91.06%
4 stars
8.37%
3 stars
0.18%
1 star
0.37%

TOP REVIEWS FROM MUSICIANSHIP: CHORD CHARTS, DIATONIC CHORDS, AND MINOR KEYS

by SMar 30, 2021

The course is excellent and very effective. The practical and theory lessons really teach everything clearly. The Instructor is very clear and lively. Thank you, it was amazing.

by MAJul 28, 2019

Instructor is charming, didactic, and very fun to listen. Concepts are explained gradually and clearly. You definitely need some prior knowledge, so don't take this as your first music course.

by SJApr 26, 2017

Seeing the professor apply the theory he was explaining was actually very empowering and helpful in my own approach to application.

by GGJul 15, 2020

Professor Russel is awesome. Congratulations for this class. I hope one day be able to have in campus class with him. God bless everyone.

View all reviews

About the Developing Your Musicianship Specialization

Nurture your love for, and understanding of, music with this specialization. Learn the fundamentals of music theory, including major and minor tonalities, chord scales, song forms, and chord qualities. You’ll also practice training your ear to hear and recognize various intervals, chord progressions, and chord qualities. For the Capstone project, you will directly apply the knowledge you’ve gained to write and perform a short musical composition. This specialization begins with the basics of music and builds to more advanced concepts, providing you the knowledge you need to improve your skills as a musician.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. 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.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. 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.
Is financial aid available?
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.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Musicianship: Chord Charts, Diatonic Chords, and Minor Keys

About this Course

What you will learn

Skills you will gain