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Berklee College of Music

Introduction To Music Theory

Berklee College of Music via edX

Overview

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.

Syllabus

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

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

Lesson 3: Pentatonic Scale Review from Lesson 2 Major 6th and Major 7th Intervals Building and Singing the Minor Pentatonic Scale

Lesson 4: Major and Dominant Seventh Chords Review from Lesson 3 Building Major and Dominant Seventh Chords Blues Progression

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

Lesson 6: Review Review of All Material Composing a Blues Riff Tune Using the Minor Pentatonic Scale

Taught by

George Russell Jr.

Reviews

4.6 rating, based on 7 Class Central reviews

4.6 rating at edX based on 12 ratings

Start your review of Introduction To Music Theory

  • Profile image for Katerina Chekurova
    Katerina Chekurova
    I used to play the piano when I was a kid but I only played classical music. Now, as an adult, I want to learn some jazz improvisation and I was thinking about hiring a jazz teacher. Couple of days ago I found this course and I realized that it's perfect for me as I can brush on music theory and at the same time learn some jazz improvisation concepts. Also, George is an amazing teacher. He is so enthusiastic, warm and you can tell he really enjoys what he does.
  • Profile image for Agustina Desirello Paz
    Agustina Desirello Paz
    This course entirely fulfills its purpose.

    The format is neat and easy to follow and the professor is super friendly.

    I recommend it for anyone who's looking for a global view on music theory!
  • Olayemi Oluwafemi Sinmiloluwa
    It's tremendously good to know much about music, because I see music as part of life,in knowing it, it will help me as a person to know and to differentiate between music and noise
  • Kyle
  • Kurt Ennis
  • Erik Schwind

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