Solfege at your fingertips 2 from edX

Welcome to the second course of the MOOC series: Solfege at your fingertips.

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

High school music programs often focus on ensemble playing, leaving less room for music theory. Furthermore, with the many music software programs available, it is easier to create music without mastering and understanding the mechanics of tonal music. It is thus to deprive oneself of all the richness of the colors and the possibilities that this one can bring. Whether you want to study music or are an amateur musician, you can take your playing to the next level by fully mastering the language of music!

The first MOOC in the series focuses on writing pitch, note names and accidentals, as well as understanding intervals, the relationship between two notes.
This second MOOC deals with 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 (to come), we will discover the writing of rhythms, simple and compound measures as well as binary and ternary beats.

Solfeggio and dictation preparation: Throughout these courses, we will also offer you numerous solfeggio capsules where you will be able to work on your sight-reading with our students, as well as a series of capsules where you will be guided step by step to make musical dictations. These capsules were prepared by Sylvie Ouellette who has been teaching ear training for over 20 years at Cégep Marie-Victorin. Each capsule will be followed by exercises on the theme previously discussed. Thanks to this incredible tool, you will be able to put into practice all the theoretical notions you have learned and be ready for your college or university auditions.

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

Welcome to this MOOC series: Solfege at your fingertips

What's inside

Learning objectives

Music
Jazz and classical performance

Composition

Music
Jazz and classical performance
Composition

Syllabus

Module 1 - the major scale

The tones and semitones, the names of the degrees, the pentacord and tetrachord, the weaves and the key in sharps and flats, the cycle of fifths and the enharmonic scales.

Module - Preparation for Dictation and Major Solfege

Degrees 123, degrees 1234, the lower pentacord, the 1st degree arpeggio, etc.

Module 2 - The minor

Numerical naming and the three minor modes, the relative minor, homonymous scales, enharmonic scales and the use of accidentals in minor.

Module - Dictation and minor solfege preparation

The lower pentacord, 1st degree arpeggio and tonal attractions, harmonic tetrachord, natural tetrachord, etc.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Helps jazz and classical musicians master the language of tonal music, solfège, and dictation

Matthew Van Vliet teaches the courses, who is known for his work in music education and has a strong reputation

Builds a strong foundation for beginner musicians in understanding the language of music

Provides numerous solfège capsules where you will be able to work on your sight-reading with students and musical dictations to practice theoretical notions

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 2 with these activities:

Engage in regular practice sessions to reinforce your understanding of musical notation

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Develop proficiency in reading and understanding musical notation through consistent practice, enhancing your ability to interpret and perform music.

Browse courses on Musical Notation

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Acquire a music notation practice workbook or online resource.
Dedicate regular time to practice reading and interpreting musical notation.
Review your progress and focus on areas where you need additional practice.

Read 'Music Theory for Dummies' by Michael Pilhofer

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of music theory concepts, such as scales, chords, and intervals, to enhance your comprehension of music.

View Piano & Keyboard All-in-One For Dummies (For... on Amazon

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Acquire the book and set aside dedicated time for reading.
Begin reading and focus on grasping the fundamental concepts of music theory.
Take notes or highlight key points to facilitate retention and understanding.

Complete exercises on identifying intervals and chords

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Enhance your aural skills and improve your ability to recognize intervals and chords in musical contexts.

Browse courses on Intervals

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Acquire a workbook or online resource with exercises on interval and chord identification.
Work through the exercises, taking your time to analyze and identify each interval or chord.
Review your answers and focus on areas where you need additional practice.

Six other activities

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Attend a workshop on ear training and dictation

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Participate in a workshop that focuses on developing your ear training skills and enhancing your ability to transcribe musical passages.

Browse courses on Ear Training

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Identify and register for a workshop that aligns with your learning goals.
Attend the workshop and actively engage in the activities and discussions.
Follow up after the workshop by practicing the techniques and applying what you learned.

Follow video tutorials on YouTube to practice major and minor scale construction

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Strengthen your understanding of scale construction and reinforce your theoretical knowledge through practical application.

Browse courses on Major Scale

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Search for video tutorials on YouTube that demonstrate the construction of major and minor scales.
Select a tutorial and follow along, practicing the steps of scale construction.
Repeat the process for different scales to enhance your proficiency.

Create a comprehensive study guide covering the key concepts of the course

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Organize and synthesize course materials to create a valuable resource that consolidates your learning and aids in retention.

Browse courses on Note taking

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Review your lecture notes, readings, and any additional materials.
Identify and categorize the key concepts covered in the course.
Create a structured study guide that presents the information in a clear and concise manner.

Compose a short musical piece that incorporates major and minor scales

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Apply your knowledge of scales to create an original musical piece, fostering your creativity and practical application skills.

Browse courses on Music Composition

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Choose a specific major and minor scale to use as the basis of your composition.
Develop a melodic and harmonic framework using the chosen scales.
Record or write down your composition.

Tutor or assist other students with their understanding of music theory

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Reinforce your understanding of music theory by sharing your knowledge with others and providing guidance to enhance their learning.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Offer your assistance to fellow students who may need support with music theory concepts.
Prepare materials and plan sessions to effectively convey your knowledge.
Provide guidance and feedback to help others improve their understanding.

Contribute to open-source music theory projects on platforms like GitHub

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Enhance your understanding of music theory by actively participating in open-source projects related to the field.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify open-source music theory projects on platforms like GitHub.
Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Collaborate with project maintainers and contribute code, documentation, or other resources to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Solfege at your fingertips 2 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Teacher

As a Music Teacher, you will help students build a foundation in music theory. This course, Solfege at your fingertips 2, will be a great addition to your tool box allowing you to help students learn about the major scale, the different minor scales, and how to construct 3 tone chords, 4 tone chords and tonal harmony.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Music Composer

Music Composers need to have a deep understanding of music theory. This course will teach you about tonality, the major scale, the different minor scales, and how to construct chords. This knowledge will be essential for you to compose music that is both beautiful and structured.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Composer

Musician

Musicians need to have a strong foundation in music theory in order to be able to play and perform music accurately. This course will teach you about the major scale, the different minor scales, and how to construct chords. This knowledge will help you to improve your playing and performing skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musician

Music Arranger

Music Arrangers take existing music and adapt it for different instruments or ensembles. A deep knowledge of music theory is essential for this role. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to arrange music that is both effective and beautiful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Arranger

Music Producer

Music Producers oversee the recording and production of music. They work with musicians, engineers, and other professionals to create high-quality recordings. A strong foundation in music theory is essential for this role, as it allows you to understand the technical aspects of music production.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people improve their physical and mental health. They work with individuals of all ages and abilities, using music to address a variety of needs. A strong foundation in music theory is essential for this role, as it allows you to understand the therapeutic benefits of music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Music Director

Music Directors lead and conduct musical ensembles. They are responsible for interpreting music, rehearsing musicians, and ensuring that performances are of the highest quality. A strong foundation in music theory is essential for this role, as it allows you to understand the structure and form of music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

Music Critic

Music Critics write and review music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They provide their opinions on the quality of performances, recordings, and compositions. A strong foundation in music theory is essential for this role, as it allows you to analyze and evaluate music in a informed way.

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Music Librarian

Music Librarians catalog, organize, and preserve music materials. They work in libraries, archives, and other institutions. A strong foundation in music theory is essential for this role, as it allows you to understand the different types of music materials and how to organize them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian

Music Journalist

Music Journalists write about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They cover a variety of topics, including music reviews, interviews with musicians, and news about the music industry. A strong foundation in music theory is essential for this role, as it allows you to write about music in a informed way.

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Music Business Manager

Music Business Managers handle the financial and administrative affairs of musicians and music organizations. They work with clients to develop budgets, negotiate contracts, and manage investments. A strong foundation in music theory is essential for this role, as it allows you to understand the business side of the music industry.

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Music Educator

Music Educators teach music to students of all ages. They work in schools, conservatories, and other educational institutions. A strong foundation in music theory is essential for this role, as it allows you to teach students about the different elements of music and how to perform and create music.

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Music Promoter

Music Promoters promote and publicize music events. They work with musicians, venues, and other organizations to plan and execute concerts, festivals, and other events. A strong foundation in music theory is essential for this role, as it allows you to understand the different types of music and how to market them to different audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Promoter

Music Archivist

Music Archivists preserve and catalog music materials. They work in libraries, archives, and other institutions. A strong foundation in music theory is essential for this role, as it allows you to understand the different types of music materials and how to preserve them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Archivist

Audio Engineer

Audio Engineers record, mix, and master music. They work in recording studios, concert halls, and other venues. A strong foundation in music theory is helpful for this role, as it allows you to understand the technical aspects of audio engineering and how to achieve the desired sound.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer