Michigan State University
Getting Started With Music Theory

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Michigan State University

Getting Started With Music Theory

Bruce Taggart

Instructor: Bruce Taggart

112,182 already enrolled

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.5

(747 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 13 hours
Learn at your own pace
92%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.5

(747 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 13 hours
Learn at your own pace
92%
Most learners liked this course

Details to know

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Assessments

13 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module, you should be able to: (1) discuss the elements of music, (2) explain the difference between tonal and atonal music, (3) sing the tonic in tonal music, (4) identify the fundamental and partials of a note, (5) explain the difference between chord and harmony, (6) explain the five-line staff, (7) read and write notes using treble and bass clefs, and (8) identify rhythmic values in notation. You should be able to (9) distinguish between pitch and pitch class, (10) describe octaves and how to label pitches based on octave placement, (11) identify and write accidentals and find them on the piano keyboard, (12) and define equal temperament (the artificial scale used on the modern piano) and tell how it differs from other tuning systems.

What's included

9 videos1 reading4 assignments2 discussion prompts

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module, you should be able to (1) describe the diatonic set and understand how it is used to create major and minor scales, (2) sing major and minor using solfeggio (solfege) syllables, (3) explain the difference between natural, harmonic, and melodic minor, (4) spell major and minor scales starting on any note using accidentals in treble and bass clef, and (5) spell parallel and relative major and minor scales. You should also be able to (6) identify and spell by size and quality diatonic intervals (within a key) and chromatic intervals (outside a key).

What's included

12 videos3 readings4 assignments2 discussion prompts

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module, you should be able to (1) read and write all possible rhythmic values, including dotted notes and ties, (2) understand how many notes fit within a measure in various meters, (3) determine meter signatures based on note grouping, and note grouping based on meter signatures, (4) define the types of musical accent and how they create a sense of meter, (5) distinguish between duple and triple meters in notation and by sound, and (6) describe and identify metrical syncopation. You should be able to (7) write melodies on the treble, bass, and grand staves using correct meter signatures, note values, rhythmic grouping, stem direction and beaming, and key signatures and accidentals,

What's included

6 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module, you should be able to (1) identify and spell major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads in root position and inversions, and (2) identify and spell major, minor, dominant, half-diminished, and fully diminished seventh chords in root position and inversions. You should also be able to (3) use Roman numeral labels to identify diatonic triads within a key, (4) write triads within a key when given Roman numerals, and (5) spell chords when given pop/jazz chord symbols.

What's included

8 videos3 readings3 assignments2 discussion prompts

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.7 (208 ratings)
Bruce Taggart
Michigan State University
1 Course112,182 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Music and Art

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