Fundamentals of Music Theory

Fundamentals of Music Theory

Instructors: Dr Thomas Butler

Access provided by Course Builder (Internal Testing)

394,764 already enrolled

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4.5

(1,843 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

95%

Most learners liked this course

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4.5

(1,843 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

95%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

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 11 minute
Musical Notes10 minutes
Octaves10 minutes
More on Scales6 minutes
Introduction to Chords9 minutes
Primary Chords4 minutes
Rudiments of Duration Notation7 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 40 minutes

Introduction to Week 21 minute
Sharps & Flats6 minutes
Keys and Key Signatures12 minutes
Minor Keys9 minutes
Intervals6 minutes
Ledger Lines and Clefs4 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 30 minutes
Musical Time: How We Feel It5 minutes
Musical Time: Some Concepts4 minutes
Notating Rhythm3 minutes
Counting with Subdivisions2 minutes
Dots and Ties3 minutes
Metre and Time Signatures9 minutes
Phrase and Form2 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 40 minutes

Introduction to Week 41 minute
Listening to triads6 minutes
Elaborating Key: Triads and Scales6 minutes
Building Triads6 minutes
Harmonising a Melody12 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
Cadences4 minutes
Chord Names3 minutes
Common Chord Progressions7 minutes
Modulation9 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

Instructor ratings

4.5 (391 ratings)

Dr Thomas Butler

The University of Edinburgh

1 Course394,764 learners

Dr John Philip Kitchen MBE

The University of Edinburgh

1 Course394,764 learners

Dr Zack Moir

The University of Edinburgh

1 Course394,764 learners

Offered by

The University of Edinburgh

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

4.5

1,843 reviews

5 stars
71.80%
4 stars
17.46%
3 stars
4.82%
2 stars
3.25%
1 star
2.65%

Showing 3 of 1843

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2020

I learnt a lot from this course. Not only does it give you a lot of insight into music theory it changes the way you look at music and leads one to appreciate music as a whole more.

Reviewed on Jan 31, 2022

more difficult from week 3 onwards. You will definitely need to find other sources of information (wiki pages, forums, etc) to do well on the quizzes and understand better the material.

Reviewed on Jan 6, 2018

This course moves just a little bit too fast for beginners. I think it needs to be spread out a little bit with further explanations for people who don't understand what they are saying.

View more reviews