Music Theory Classroom: Diatonic Harmony from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Music theory for homeschool students, high-school musicians, or anyone!
Voice leading of diatonic chords
Phrases and cadences
Chord functions
Harmonic progressions

Non-harmonic tones
Sequences
Short musical forms
Modulation
Harmonic analysis

Music theory for homeschool students, high-school musicians, or anyone!
Voice leading of diatonic chords
Phrases and cadences
Chord functions
Harmonic progressions
Non-harmonic tones
Sequences
Short musical forms
Modulation
Harmonic analysis

Syllabus

If you did not take the Fundamentals of Melody and Harmony course, you may need to do this lesson to prepare for the present course.

Figured bass is an older type of keyboard notation, but we still use it to learn harmony.

This lesson introduces the entire Music Theory Classroom curriculum and ends with a bridge to the first lesson of both Fundamentals courses.

If you did not take the Fundamentals of Melody and Harmony course, you may need to do this lesson to prepare for the present course.

In order to move into the analysis we will do throughout this course, we need to learn how chords fit into keys.

Today we define a few terms that we will use throughout this course, and we look at how musical scores are set up so that we can read (and write) them accurately.

The assignment for this lesson will be reviewed at the beginning of next lesson.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Beethoven: Symphony No. 1

Beethoven: Minuet, WoO 82

Haydn: String Quartet, Hob. III:62

Hymn Tune HYFRYDOL

Functional tonal harmony arose historically from particular uses of counterpoint. The study of counterpoint is (at least) a whole course in itself, but this introduction to it will help us embark on our study of harmony.

The assignment for this lesson will be reviewed at the beginning of next lesson.

We begin the rules of voice leading by learning how to voice a single chord.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Bach chorale: BWV 96/6

Hymn Tune HYFRYDOL

Hymn Tune AZMON

Today we begin learning how to voice lead from one chord to the next.

The dominant seventh chord usually resolves by ascending 4th root motion, so we can follow the rules from last lesson, but the seventh of the chord requires special treatment.

When the root moves by 3rd or 6th, the voice leading is easy.

Root movement by second presents a special voice-leading problem.

We've learned how to go from one chord to another. Let's step back and look at the slightly bigger picture.

The assignment for this lesson will be reviewed at the beginning of next lesson.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Bach chorale: BWV 17/7

Bach chorale: BWV 292

Bach chorale: BWV 386

Handel: "The Trumpet Shall Sound"

Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus

Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Mozart: Sonata, K. 311

Sibelius: Finlandia

C. Schumann: "Sie Liebten Sich Beide"

Hymn Tune AZMON

The first inverted chord we look at is a chord with a very special function.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Bach chorale: BWV 17/7

Bach chorale: BWV 245/40

Let's look at the ways that chords lad to each other and fit into a phrase.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Bach chorale: BWV 17/7

Beethoven: Minuet, WoO 82

Mozart: Sonata, K. 311

Hymn Tune AZMON

The most common non-harmonic tones found in tonal music are the neighbor note and the passing tone.

The assignment for this lesson will be reviewed at the beginning of next lesson.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Bach chorale: BWV 17/7

Beethoven: Minuet, WoO 10 No. 1

Beethoven: Minuet, WoO 10 No. 5

Hymn Tune HYFRYDOL

When we see a 6/4 (second-inversion) chord, it almost always fits into a particular category. There are several types other than the cadential 6/4, and they each follow a particular formula.

The assignment for this lesson will be reviewed at the beginning of next lesson.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Beethoven: Minuet, WoO 10 No. 1

Hensel: Gartenlieder, Op. 3 No. 1

We begin our study of inverted chords with the first inversion of the dominant, because its bass note is a neighbor to the tonic.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Bach chorale: BWV 292

Mozart: Sonata, K. 311

The other inversions of the dominant seventh chord have voice leading that is equally straightforward.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Sibelius: Finlandia

C. Schumann: "Sie Liebten Sich Beide"

We finally get to start using the leading-tone triad, which is nearly always found in first inversion.

The assignment for this lesson will be reviewed at the beginning of next lesson.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus

Sibelius: Finlandia

Hymn Tune DIADEMATA

The tonic triad is also often found in first inversion.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

C. Schumann: "Sie Liebten Sich Beide"

Hymn Tune DIADEMATA

The IV and ii chords are often found in first inversion. iii and vi, not so much.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Haydn: Symphony, Hob. I:92

Schubert: Minuet from String Quartet, D.112

The seventh chords besides ii and V are sometimes found in tonal music, usually in the same places we would expect to find their triad counterparts.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Mendelssohn: Song without Words, Op. 109

Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus

There are several varieties of non-harmonic tones besides the neighbor and passing tones.

There is no assignment for this lesson. The assignment for the next lesson will include material from this lesson.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Haydn: Symphony, Hob. I:92

Mendelssohn: Song without Words, Op. 109

Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

C. Schumann: "Sie Liebten Sich Beide"

We finish our classification of the non-harmonic tones.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Bach chorale: BWV 386

Hensel: Gartenlieder, Op. 3 No. 1

Mozart: Concerto, K. 488

Mozart: Sonata, K. 311

Schubert: "An Emma"

Hymn Tune HYFRYDOL

Hymn Tune DIADEMATA

Today we learn to add non-harmonic tones into our chorale writing.

The leading-tone diminished seventh chord is technically not a diatonic chord, but it is naturally found within the harmonic minor scale.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

C. Schumann: "Sie Liebten Sich Beide"

Sequences are an important compositional tool, but they often don't allow the composer to follow strict voice leading.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Hymn Tune HYFRYDOL

Today we start looking at the various ways phrases can be put together to create larger musical structures.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Beethoven: Minuet, WoO 10 No. 1

Beethoven: Minuet, WoO 10 No. 5

Haydn: String Quartet, Hob. III:62

Mozart: Sonata, K. 311

Schubert: Minuet No. 3 from String Quartet, D.89

Hymn Tune AZMON

Modulation is how composers change from one key or tonal center to another. They accomplish this in many ways. Most of them will be covered in Chromatic Harmony, but we learn about one of them today.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Mendelssohn: Song without Words, Op. 109

Now that we've learned about common-chord modulation, let's put it into context.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Bach chorale: BWV 17/7

Bach chorale: BWV 96/6

Bach chorale: BWV 386

Today we learn a new chord function, which will become an important focal point in the next course. Think of this as a preview.

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Beethoven: Symphony No. 1

We put together everything we've learned in this course to create a complete analysis of an entire short piece.

Think of the assignment afterward as your final exam. Take your time, especially on the first section!

Repertoire needed for this lesson:

Bach chorale: BWV 245/40

Schubert: Minuet from String Quartet, D.112

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores voice leading of diatonic chords, which is a fundamental skill for arranging and composing music

Covers phrases and cadences, which are essential elements in understanding musical structure and form

Examines harmonic progressions, which are crucial for creating compelling and coherent musical compositions

Requires prior knowledge of music fundamentals, so learners may need to complete the prerequisite course first

Includes repertoire from Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, offering learners exposure to canonical works

Prepares learners for the Chromatic Harmony course, suggesting a structured path for further study

Reviews summary

Comprehensive diatonic harmony for serious students

According to learners, Music Theory Classroom: Diatonic Harmony provides a solid and comprehensive foundation in diatonic harmony. Many find the lectures to be clear and well-explained, making complex topics accessible. Students particularly appreciate the practical application through voice leading exercises and analysis of real musical examples, which helps solidify understanding. While the course is structured like a college-level curriculum and requires diligence, those serious about learning harmony find it very effective and valuable for developing their skills.

Best suited for serious music theory students.

"As someone serious about improving my theory knowledge, this course was perfect for me."

"This course is ideal for high school students preparing for college music programs or serious musicians."

"If you're just looking for a casual overview, this might be too in-depth, but for deep learning, it's excellent."

The curriculum is challenging and requires dedication.

"This isn't a light course; it requires serious study and practice, much like a university class."

"Be prepared to spend significant time on the assignments if you want to truly master the material."

"I appreciate the academic rigor; it feels like I'm getting a proper music theory education."

Analysis and exercises reinforce learning effectively.

"The voice leading exercises were incredibly helpful for applying the rules and seeing how chords connect."

"Analyzing the provided musical examples was a great way to see the theory in action and understand real-world usage."

"I really benefited from working through the practical assignments; they helped cement the theoretical concepts."

Lectures are clear, concise, and easy to follow.

"The instructor explains the concepts very clearly, building logically from one lesson to the next."

"I found the lectures easy to understand, even for complex topics like inverted chords and non-harmonic tones."

"Everything is explained in a straightforward manner that makes learning enjoyable and accessible."

Provides a deep and thorough basis in diatonic harmony.

"This course gave me a really solid understanding of diatonic harmony, covering voice leading, progressions, and analysis in depth."

"It covers all the essential topics you'd expect from a first-year college harmony course, which is exactly what I needed."

"I feel like I have a strong grasp on the fundamentals required to move on to more advanced theory."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Music Theory Classroom: Diatonic Harmony with these activities:

Review Fundamentals of Music Theory

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Reinforce your understanding of basic music theory concepts, including scales, key signatures, and intervals, to prepare for the more advanced topics in diatonic harmony.

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Review notes from previous courses.
Complete practice exercises on identifying intervals and scales.
Take a practice quiz on music fundamentals.

Read 'Tonal Harmony' by Stefan Kostka

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Supplement the course material with a comprehensive textbook on tonal harmony to gain a deeper understanding of the subject.

View Tonal Harmony on Amazon

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Read assigned chapters before each corresponding lesson.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Refer to the book for clarification on difficult concepts.

Peer Review and Analysis

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Engage in peer review sessions to analyze each other's compositions and harmonic analyses, providing constructive feedback and learning from different perspectives.

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Form a study group with classmates.
Exchange compositions and analyses.
Provide constructive feedback.
Discuss different approaches and interpretations.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Harmonic Analysis Exercises

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Sharpen your harmonic analysis skills by analyzing excerpts from various musical pieces, focusing on identifying chord functions, voice leading, and non-harmonic tones.

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Find musical scores online or in books.
Analyze the harmony of each excerpt.
Compare your analysis with a published analysis, if available.

Explore 'The Complete Musician' by Steven G. Laitz

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Deepen your understanding of music theory with a book that integrates harmony, counterpoint, and analysis.

View The Complete Musician: An Integrated Approach... on Amazon

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Read relevant chapters after each course module.
Work through the examples and exercises.
Compare Laitz's explanations with the course's explanations.

Compose a Short Chorale

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Apply your knowledge of voice leading and diatonic harmony by composing a short chorale in the style of J.S. Bach.

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Choose a key and write a simple melody.
Harmonize the melody using diatonic chords.
Follow strict voice leading rules.
Analyze your own chorale for errors.

Analyze Bach Chorales

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Undertake a project to analyze a collection of Bach chorales, identifying chord progressions, non-harmonic tones, and voice leading techniques to solidify your understanding of diatonic harmony.

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Select a collection of Bach chorales.
Transcribe the chorales into a notation software.
Analyze the harmony of each chorale.
Write a report summarizing your findings.

Career center

Learners who complete Music Theory Classroom: Diatonic Harmony will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Composer

A composer crafts original musical works, and a deep understanding of music theory is essential for this role. This course on diatonic harmony equips aspiring composers with the knowledge of chord functions, harmonic progressions, and voice leading, providing a solid foundation for creating compelling and structurally sound compositions. The emphasis on harmonic analysis helps a composer understand how existing pieces achieve their effects. A composer who takes this course will be well-prepared to explore more advanced compositional techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Music Teacher

A music teacher educates students in various aspects of music, from basic theory to performance techniques. A thorough knowledge of music theory is essential for this role. This course on diatonic harmony can help a music teacher explain concepts and principles clearly and effectively. The course covers chord functions, harmonic progressions, and voice leading, which are fundamental topics in music education. A music teacher who takes this course will be better prepared to teach harmony to students of all levels.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Arranger

An arranger adapts existing musical pieces for different instruments or ensembles. A strong grasp of music theory is crucial for this role. This course in diatonic harmony helps an arranger analyze and manipulate chord voicings, understand harmonic progressions, and effectively re-imagine a piece for a new context. The course emphasizes voice leading of diatonic chords and analysis of short musical forms. An arranger who takes this course will have a deeper insight into harmonic function and be able to create effective and idiomatic arrangements.

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Music Editor

A music editor prepares musical scores for publication or performance, ensuring accuracy and consistency. A robust understanding of music theory is vital for this role. This course on diatonic harmony provides the music editor with the skills to identify errors in harmony, voice leading, and notation. The course's coverage of harmonic analysis, phrases, and cadences helps the music editor ensure that scores are musically sound and faithful to the composer's intent. A music editor who takes this course will be well-equipped to handle complex scores and ensure their accuracy.

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Transcriber

A transcriber listens to musical performances and writes them down in musical notation. This course in diatonic harmony provides a transcriber with a knowledge of chord functions, voice leading, and harmonic progressions. The emphasis on harmonic analysis is very important for the transcriber. A transcriber who takes this course will be able to transcribe music more accurately and efficiently.

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Worship Leader

A worship leader selects and leads music during religious services. A solid foundation in music theory can greatly enhance their ability to choose appropriate music and guide the congregation. This course on diatonic harmony provides a worship leader with a knowledge of chord functions, harmonic progressions, and voice leading, which are essential for creating meaningful and engaging musical experiences. The understanding of phrases and cadences helps the worship leader to create a sense of musical flow and direction. A worship leader who takes this course will be able to lead worship with greater musicality and confidence.

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Band Director

A band director leads a band, selecting repertoire and guiding rehearsals. This course in diatonic harmony gives the band director a deeper understanding of the harmonic structure of music, chord functions, and harmonic progressions. This knowledge enables the director to make informed decisions about phrasing, balance, and interpretation. A band director who takes this course will lead a band with greater musicality and insight.

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Choir Director

A choir director leads and directs a choir, selecting repertoire and guiding rehearsals. This course in diatonic harmony gives a choir director a deeper understanding of the harmonic structure of choral music, especially voice leading of diatonic chords, phrases, and cadences. This knowledge enables the director to make informed decisions about phrasing, balance, and interpretation. Moreover, the coverage of harmonic progressions and voice leading in this course greatly benefits the choir director. This course will help a choir director lead a choir with greater musicality and insight.

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Music Critic

A music critic attends musical performances and writes reviews, evaluating the quality of the performance and the composition. A music critic who takes this course on diatonic harmony can develop a deeper understanding of the music they are reviewing. Knowledge of harmonic progressions, voice leading, and musical forms enables the critic to provide more insightful and informed commentary on the compositional techniques and harmonic language used in the music. A music critic who takes this course will be able to offer richer and more nuanced reviews.

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Orchestrator

An orchestrator takes a composer's work and assigns specific instruments to each part, considering the timbral and sonic possibilities of the orchestra. This course in diatonic harmony would be useful as it helps with understanding the underlying harmonic structure of a composition. The orchestrator benefits from understanding voice leading, chord functions, and harmonic progressions. An orchestrator who takes this course may better understand harmonic analysis and how to apply it to orchestration.

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Film Scorer

A film scorer creates original music for films, working in conjunction with the director and other members of the production team. This course in diatonic harmony is a great introduction to the understanding of musical structure and harmonic progression, which can be useful in creating effective film scores. The lessons on modulation and harmonic analysis may be particularly relevant to a film scorer. A film scorer who takes this course may better understand how to use music to enhance the emotional impact of a film.

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Video Game Composer

A video game composer creates music for video games, often working with the game developers to create immersive and engaging soundscapes. This course in diatonic harmony may be useful as it provides a foundation in understanding chord functions, harmonic progressions, and musical forms. The lessons on musical forms, sequences, and voice leading may be particularly relevant to a video game composer. A video game composer who takes this course may better understand how to create music that enhances the player's experience.

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Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to address the emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of individuals. While not directly focused on therapy techniques, this course in diatonic harmony may help a music therapist understand how music can be structured to create specific emotional responses. This knowledge of harmonic progressions, chord functions, and musical forms could inform the therapist's selection and use of music in therapeutic settings. The focus on harmonic analysis can also provide insights into the emotional impact of different musical structures.

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Musical Theatre Director

A musical theatre director oversees all aspects of a musical theatre production, including casting, staging, and working with the musical director. This course in diatonic harmony may help a musical theatre director communicate more effectively with the musical director and understand the underlying harmonic structure of the music. The director might find the lessons on phrases, cadences, and musical forms particularly useful. A musical theatre director who takes this course may better understand how to integrate the music seamlessly into the overall production.

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Studio Musician

A studio musician is a session player who is fluent in a wide variety of styles, is comfortable sight reading, and is able to record music in a studio setting. This course in diatonic harmony provides a studio musician with the ability to understand chord changes, follow harmonic progressions, and interpret musical scores accurately. This course may be useful in helping a studio musician to quickly learn and perform new music in a studio setting.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Music Theory Classroom: Diatonic Harmony.

Tonal Harmony

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Standard textbook used in many college-level music theory courses. It provides a comprehensive overview of tonal harmony, covering topics such as voice leading, chord progressions, and harmonic analysis. It valuable resource for understanding the concepts presented in this course and for further study.

The Complete Musician

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Offers a comprehensive approach to music theory, integrating harmony, counterpoint, and analysis. It's particularly useful for understanding the broader context of diatonic harmony within the larger framework of music theory. While not strictly required, it provides valuable insights and alternative perspectives on the course material.

The Complete Musician: An Integrated Approach to...

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Music Theory Classroom

Diatonic Harmony

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive diatonic harmony for serious students

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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