Solfege at your fingertips 3 from edX

Welcome to the third course of the series of MOOCs: Solfege at your fingertips.

This series of free and online courses focuses on music theory and its practical application through solfege.

High school music programs often focus on ensemble playing with less emphasis on music theory. Moreover, with many available music software options, it is easier to create music without mastering and understanding the mechanics of tonal music. This leads to losing out on all the richness of colors and the possibilities that it brings. Whether you want to pursue studies in music or you are an amateur musician, you can take your game up a notch by fully mastering the language of music!

The first MOOC in this series will focus on writing the pitch of sounds, the names of notes and accidentals, as well as understanding intervals, i.e. the relationship between two notes.
The second MOOC will focus on tonality, the major scale and the different minor scales.
In the third MOOC, we will see the construction of 3 tone chords, 4 tone chords and tonal harmony.
In the fourth MOOC, we will discover the writing of rhythms, simple and compound meters as well as simple and compound beats.

Preparation for music theory and dictation:

Throughout these courses, we will also offer you many solfege video capsules during which you can work on your sight reading with our students, as well as a series of video capsules where you will be guided step by step during musical dictations. These video capsules were prepared by Sylvie Ouellette, who has been teaching ear training for more than 20 years at Cégep Marie-Victorin. Each capsule will be accompanied by exercises. Thanks to this incredible tool, you will be able to put into practice all the theoretical notions learned and be ready for your auditions at CÉGEP or university.

We hope that this series will help you demystify music theory so that you can read a music sheet with as much pleasure as you might have in reading a good novel!

What's inside

Learning objectives

Music
Jazz and classical performance

Composition

Music
Jazz and classical performance
Composition

Syllabus

Module 1 – Chord names and qualities: Names in jazz and pop, chord construction, and the qualities of 3- and 4-note chords

Module 2 – Three-note harmonic degrees: Chords in the major scale and the melodic, harmonic and natural minor scales (3 notes)

Module 3 – 4-note harmonic degrees: Chords in the major scale and the melodic, harmonic and natural minor scales (4 notes)

Module 4 – Chord location in scales: The location of chords in the major scale and in the harmonic minor scale, as well as a look at chord location in all the scales seen in this course.

Module 5 – Inversions, dominant chord and chord progressions: Inversions of 3-note chords, the dominant 7th chord and its resolution, and cyclical progressions

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops music theory knowledge and solfège skills, which are core for musicians

Teaches the writing of rhythms and meters, which are essential for musical notation

Provides video demonstrations of solfège exercises, which can be helpful for improving sight-reading skills

Covers the construction of chords and harmonic progressions, which are fundamental concepts in music theory

Emphasizes the practical application of music theory through solfège exercises, which can aid in developing musical fluency

Requires access to a musical instrument or software, which may be a barrier for some learners

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 Solfege at your fingertips 3 with these activities:

Review 'Tonal Harmony' by Clifton

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Review the fundamentals of tonal harmony to enhance your understanding of chord construction and progressions.

View Melania on Amazon

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Read the chapters on chord construction and qualities.
Practice identifying and naming chords in exercises.
Review the sections on harmonic degrees and their function.

Chord Inversion Tutorials

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Expand your knowledge by following tutorials on chord inversions.

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Find online tutorials or videos on chord inversions.
Watch the tutorials and practice inverting chords.

Chord Analysis Group Study

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Deepen your understanding by collaborating with peers to analyze chords and progressions.

Browse courses on Harmony

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Form a study group with classmates.
Choose a piece of music or set of chords to analyze.
Discuss the chord structure, function, and progressions.

Two other activities

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Show all five activities

Chord Recognition Drills

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Reinforce your knowledge of chord construction and qualities by practicing their identification.

Browse courses on Chords

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Use an online chord recognition tool or app.
Play chords on a keyboard or guitar and identify them.

Compose a Chord Progression

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Apply your understanding of chord progressions by creating your own composition.

Browse courses on Composition

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Choose a chord progression from the course material or online resources.
Compose a melody over the chord progression.
Record or write down your composition.

Career center

Learners who complete Solfege at your fingertips 3 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Musician

Musicians create beautiful music and use their skill and training to make it an amazing experience for the listener. This course teaches composition, jazz and classical performance, and general music concepts. You will learn to analyze music, develop your ear, and build technique. It takes a lot of dedication to become a successful musician, but it is a rewarding experience that can give you opportunities to travel, play for all kinds of people, and give back to your community through workshops and outreach programs.

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Composer

Composers develop and write all kinds of new music, ranging from classical to pop to film scores and everything in between. This course will help you build a solid foundation for composition with modules covering chord names and qualities, three-note harmonic degrees, 4-note harmonic degrees, chord location in scales, inversions, dominant chords, and chord progressions.

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Music Teacher

Whether working in public schools, as part of a community music program, or in a private studio, a music teacher guides students to develop their own skills in music, both vocal and instrumental. You will often also teach music theory and history to build a well-rounded foundation in music. This course can help prepare you to lead your own budding musicians through topics like composition, jazz and classical performance, and general music concepts. Using the video capsules to teach your students to prepare for music theory and dictation will help them succeed in all areas of their musical studies.

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Songwriter

Songwriters create the lyrics and melodies for songs. They may work independently or with others, and they write songs for a variety of genres, including pop, country, rock, and hip-hop. This course can help you build a solid foundation in music theory and composition, which will be invaluable for songwriting. You will also learn about jazz and classical performance, which can be helpful for songwriters who want to incorporate elements of these genres into their work.

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Music Director

Music directors lead and oversee musical groups, such as orchestras, bands, and choirs. They work with musicians to plan and rehearse performances and help to improve the group's overall sound. This course will help you build a well-rounded musical background, with modules on composition, jazz and classical performance, and general music concepts. With a solid foundation, you will be better able to help your musicians improve and succeed.

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Music Arranger

Music arrangers take existing music and adapt it for different instruments or ensembles. They may also write new music that is inspired by existing works. This course will help you develop the skills you need to arrange music, with modules on composition, jazz and classical performance and general music concepts. It will be particularly helpful for arrangers who are looking to work with jazz and classical music.

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Music Therapist

Music therapists use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and cognitive health. They work with people of all ages and backgrounds, in settings such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. This course will provide you with a solid foundation in music theory and composition, which will be useful for developing therapeutic music interventions. You will also learn about jazz and classical performance, which are important genres to have a background in for many music therapists.

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Singer

Singers use their voices as instruments to perform everything from pop to country to opera. Singers often perform as soloists or as part of groups like choirs and bands. This course may be useful for singers who want to learn more about the theoretical underpinnings of the music they perform. It will be of particular use to singers who want to learn more about jazz and classical music, as modules include lessons on jazz and classical performance.

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Audio Engineer

Audio engineers work with sound and music, using their skills to record, edit, mix, and master audio. They work in a variety of settings, including recording studios, concert venues, and radio stations. This course may be useful for audio engineers who want to learn more about the theoretical underpinnings of music. It will be of particular use to audio engineers who want to learn more about jazz and classical music, as modules include lessons on jazz and classical performance.

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Instrumentalist

Instrumentalists play musical instruments, either as soloists or as part of groups like orchestras, bands, and choirs. They perform a wide variety of music, from classical to jazz to pop. This course may be useful for instrumentalists who want to learn more about the theoretical underpinnings of the music they perform. It will be of particular use to instrumentalists who want to learn more about jazz and classical music, as modules include lessons on jazz and classical performance.

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Educator

Educators teach about a variety of subjects to students of all ages. They may work in public or private schools, colleges, or universities. This course will help you build a well-rounded musical background, with modules on composition, jazz and classical performance, and general music concepts. With a solid foundation, you will be better able to teach your students about music and help them develop their own skills.

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Artistic Director

Artistic directors oversee the artistic vision and direction of performing arts organizations, such as theaters, dance companies, and opera houses. They work with a team of artists and staff to create and produce performances. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an artistic director, with modules on composition, jazz and classical performance, and general music concepts. It will be particularly helpful for artistic directors who are looking to work with jazz and classical music.

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Music Producer

Music producers oversee the recording, editing, and mixing of music. They work with musicians and engineers to create the final product that is released to the public. This course can help you build a foundation in music theory and composition, providing valuable knowledge for working with musicians. You will also learn about jazz and classical performance, which are important genres to have a background in for many music producers.

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Music Librarian

Music librarians manage and organize music collections in libraries, archives, and other institutions. They may also help patrons find and use music resources. This course will help you build a strong foundation in music theory and composition, which will be useful for understanding and organizing music collections. You will also learn about jazz and classical performance, which are important genres to have a background in for many music librarians.

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Music Critic

Music critics write reviews and articles about music and musicians. They may work for newspapers, magazines, or online publications. This course will help you build a strong foundation in music theory and composition, which will be essential for writing informed and insightful music criticism. You will also learn about jazz and classical performance, which are important genres to have a background in for many music critics.

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