Free Online Course by edX: Introduction To Music Theory

edX is offering a free online course on the theme of “BerkleeX: Introduction To Music Theory”.

Do you have a passion for music and want to learn more about how it works? Are you a musician who learned by ear and has no formal training? Would you like to study music but are unsure of where to begin? Then this music theory course is for you. This course includes six lessons that will give you the knowledge and skills you need to understand basic music theory. You’ll learn from Berklee College of Music professor George W. Russell, Jr. and from Berklee students who share their musical journey and offer advice for those wanting to study music. Above all, the course is designed to impart the joy of creating music and sharing it with others.

Course effort:

6 weeks, 3-5 hours per week.

Prerequisites: 

The ability to play an instrument is helpful but not required. You should have a passion for music and a strong interest in developing your understanding of music and ability to create it.

What you'll learn:

1. How to construct major and minor scales
2. How to identify, analyze, and sing intervals
3. How to identify the tonal center of a song
4. How to build basic major, minor, and dominant seventh chords
5. How to create a common chord progression - the I IV V
6. How to recognize blues and AABA song forms

Syllabus:

1. Lesson 1: Major Scale Defining Harmony, Ear Training, and Intervals Constructing and Singing the Major Scale Major 2nd and Major 3rd Intervals Finding the Tonal Center 
2. Lesson 2: Major and Minor Triads Review from Lesson 1 Perfect 4th and Perfect 5th Intervals Building Major and Minor Triads The I IV V Chord Progression 
3. Lesson 3: Pentatonic Scale Review from Lesson 2 Major 6th and Major 7th Intervals Building and Singing the Minor Pentatonic Scale 
4. Lesson 4: Major and Dominant Seventh Chords Review from Lesson 3 Building Major and Dominant Seventh Chords Blues Progression 
5. Lesson 5: Song Form Review from Lesson 4 7-3-5 Chord Voicings 4/4 and 3/4 Time Signatures Blues and AABA Song Forms Chord Sheets 
6. Lesson 6: Review Review of All Material Composing a Blues Riff Tune Using the Minor Pentatonic Scale

Course costs:

Audit Track: Free of charge and you’ll get:

1. Limited access to material.
2. World class institutions and universities.
3. edX support.

Verified Track: For $59 USD you’ll get: Unlimited access to material and all of the above besides:

1. Shareable certificate upon completion.
2. Graded assignments and exams.

See more availablevolunteer opportunities on For9a

See moreopportunities in the US available on For9a