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Bruce Taggart
This course is a brief introduction to the elements of music theory for those with little or no music theory experience. We will explore pitch, rhythm, meter, notation, scales, keys, key signatures, meter signatures, triads, seventh chords, and basic harmony. If you listen to music or play music by ear, and you want to know more about how music is organized and notated, this course is for you.
Read more
This course is a brief introduction to the elements of music theory for those with little or no music theory experience. We will explore pitch, rhythm, meter, notation, scales, keys, key signatures, meter signatures, triads, seventh chords, and basic harmony. If you listen to music or play music by ear, and you want to know more about how music is organized and notated, this course is for you.
Read more
This course is a brief introduction to the elements of music theory for those with little or no music theory experience. We will explore pitch, rhythm, meter, notation, scales, keys, key signatures, meter signatures, triads, seventh chords, and basic harmony. If you listen to music or play music by ear, and you want to know more about how music is organized and notated, this course is for you.
By the end of the course, you should know all major and minor keys, how to read and write in treble and bass clef using standard meters and rhythmic values, and how to notate and harmonize a simple melody. This course can serve as a stand-alone basic music theory course, or it can be a springboard to more advanced theory and composition courses.
Your instructor is Bruce Taggart, Associate Professor of Music Theory at Michigan State University, in the College of Music, where he has taught undergraduate and graduate music theory since 1996.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/e1n5xt/getting
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What's inside
Syllabus
Basic Materials: Overview, Tonality, Notation
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.
Read more
Syllabus
Basic Materials: Overview, Tonality, Notation
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.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Provides a thorough grounding in the fundamental elements of music, helping learners develop a comprehensive understanding of music theory
Led by Bruce Taggart, a seasoned music theory expert, ensuring learners benefit from his expertise and experience
Serves as a springboard for further exploration of music theory and composition, catering to learners' evolving interests and ambitions
Covers a wide range of topics, including pitch, rhythm, scales, keys, and chords, providing a comprehensive foundation in music theory
Suitable for beginners with little to no music theory experience, enabling learners to build their knowledge from the ground up
Can be taken as a standalone course or as a stepping stone towards more advanced music theory and composition endeavors, offering flexibility for learners' educational journeys
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Reviews summary
Solid foundation in music theory
According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in basic music theory. Many found the lectures to be clear and easy to follow, making complex topics accessible for complete beginners. The syllabus is well-structured, covering essential elements like pitch, rhythm, scales, and chords effectively. Some reviewers noted the pace is suitable for those starting out, though a few mentioned they wished for more practice exercises. Overall, it is highly recommended as a great starting point for understanding how music works.
Some wanted more practice opportunities.
"Wish there were more exercises to solidify learning the concepts."
"The quizzes were helpful, but I would have liked more hands-on practice problems."
"More examples and practice would be great."
Logical flow covering core fundamentals.
"The course structure made sense, topics built nicely on each other."
"Starting with notation and building up to chords felt very logical."
"The modules covered exactly what was promised in the syllabus."
Concepts are easy to grasp for beginners.
"The instructor explained things so clearly, finally music theory makes sense!"
"I finally understood scales and key signatures after this course."
"Everything was broken down into digestible pieces for a complete novice like me."
Accessible even with no prior music knowledge.
"As a complete beginner with zero musical background, I found this course perfect."
"They really do start from scratch, which was exactly what I needed."
"Great introduction, didn't feel overwhelmed despite being new to the subject."
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 Getting Started With Music Theory with these
activities:
Read A History of Western Music
Show steps
Build background knowledge about western music theory and history.
View
Norton Anthology of Western Music
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Acquire the book.
-
Read the first three chapters.
-
Summarize the main points of each chapter.
Review Basic Music Concepts
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of essential music concepts before the course begins.
Show steps
-
Review the musical alphabet.
-
Identify the different notes on the piano keyboard.
-
Recall the basic rules of rhythm and meter.
Master the Art of Rhythm
Show steps
Develop a stronger understanding of rhythm and timing.
Browse courses on
Rhythm
Show steps
-
Follow tutorials on basic note values and rhythmic patterns.
-
Practice reading rhythms out loud and tapping them out.
-
Compose a short rhythmic exercise to test your skills.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a Study Group
Show steps
Engage with peers to discuss course material and reinforce learning.
Show steps
-
Find a group of peers who are also taking the course.
-
Meet regularly to discuss the material.
-
Work together on assignments and projects.
Ear Training Exercises
Show steps
Improve your ability to recognize and identify musical intervals and chords.
Browse courses on
Ear Training
Show steps
-
Use an ear training app or website.
-
Practice identifying intervals and chords.
-
Test your progress regularly.
Compose a Simple Melody
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of music theory to create your own original melody.
Browse courses on
Melody
Show steps
-
Choose a key and time signature.
-
Sketch out a basic melodic idea.
-
Develop and refine your melody.
-
Write down your melody using musical notation.
Build a Musical Instrument
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of music theory to a practical project.
Show steps
-
Choose a musical instrument to build.
-
Research the design and construction of the instrument.
-
Gather the necessary materials.
-
Build the instrument.
-
Tune and test the instrument.
Read A History of Western Music
Show steps
Build background knowledge about western music theory and history.
View
Norton Anthology of Western Music
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Acquire the book.
- Read the first three chapters.
- Summarize the main points of each chapter.
Review Basic Music Concepts
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of essential music concepts before the course begins.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review the musical alphabet.
- Identify the different notes on the piano keyboard.
- Recall the basic rules of rhythm and meter.
Master the Art of Rhythm
Show steps
Develop a stronger understanding of rhythm and timing.
Browse courses on
Rhythm
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Follow tutorials on basic note values and rhythmic patterns.
- Practice reading rhythms out loud and tapping them out.
- Compose a short rhythmic exercise to test your skills.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a Study Group
Show steps
Engage with peers to discuss course material and reinforce learning.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a group of peers who are also taking the course.
- Meet regularly to discuss the material.
- Work together on assignments and projects.
Ear Training Exercises
Show steps
Improve your ability to recognize and identify musical intervals and chords.
Browse courses on
Ear Training
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Use an ear training app or website.
- Practice identifying intervals and chords.
- Test your progress regularly.
Compose a Simple Melody
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of music theory to create your own original melody.
Browse courses on
Melody
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a key and time signature.
- Sketch out a basic melodic idea.
- Develop and refine your melody.
- Write down your melody using musical notation.
Build a Musical Instrument
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of music theory to a practical project.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a musical instrument to build.
- Research the design and construction of the instrument.
- Gather the necessary materials.
- Build the instrument.
- Tune and test the instrument.
Career center
Learners who complete Getting Started With Music Theory will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Music Theory Instructor
Music Theory Instructor
Music Theory Instructors work with students of all levels, and are highly effective at explaining complex concepts to people with various backgrounds and levels of experience. Courses such as Getting Started With Music Theory provide a strong foundation for those who wish to teach and instruct music theory, as the material can be used as a basis for lesson plans, testing, and curriculum design. This course may be particularly useful to new instructors who wish to develop a deeper understanding of fundamental musical concepts.
Piano Teacher
Piano Teacher
Piano Teachers are responsible for teaching piano performance skills to students of various levels. This course may be helpful for Piano Teachers who are looking to refine their understanding of musical theory, particularly in the context of piano performance. The course will provide knowledge that can be applied to building practice plans and teaching materials.
Guitar Teacher
Guitar Teacher
Guitar Teachers are responsible for teaching guitar performance skills to students of various levels. This course may be helpful to Guitar Teachers who are looking to refine their understanding of musical theory, particularly in the context of guitar performance. The course will provide knowledge that can be applied to building practice plans and teaching materials.
Music Composer
Music Composer
Music Composers work with various forms of musical composition and are responsible for creating and producing music. This course is particularly useful for aspiring composers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of music theory, which provides the foundation for composition and orchestration. The course will also help composers to better understand the works of other composers and musicians, and will provide practice composing with more sophisticated techniques.
Sound Designer
Sound Designer
Sound Designers create and produce sound effects, music, and atmospheres for a variety of media, including movies, television shows, radio, and video games. This course may be helpful for Sound Designers who want to improve their understanding of music theory, which will provide a foundation for creating and producing more effective and realistic sound design. The course will also provide experience with reading and writing musical notation, which is essential for collaboration with other musicians and composers.
Music Journalist
Music Journalist
Music Journalists write for magazines, newspapers, and websites about all aspects of the music industry. This course can be useful for Music Journalists who want to build a strong foundation in music theory, providing them with the necessary knowledge to understand, analyze, and write about musical topics. The course will provide experience reading and writing musical notation, which can be helpful when analyzing and reviewing musical compositions.
Musician
Musician
Musicians include singers, instrumentalists, and composers who perform music for a variety of purposes. This course is useful for Musicians who want to build a stronger foundation in music theory, which will provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to read music, collaborate with other musicians, and perform more effectively. The course will also provide exposure to different types of music and styles, which can broaden a Musician's repertoire and help them become more versatile.
Music Producer
Music Producer
Music Producers oversee the creation and production of music recordings. This course may be useful for Music Producers who are looking to better understand music theory, which will give them a solid foundation for working with musicians, songwriters, and engineers to create high-quality recordings. The course will also provide experience reading and writing musical notation, which is important for communicating with musicians and ensuring that recordings meet the desired specifications.
Music Librarian
Music Librarian
Music Librarians organize and manage music collections and provide reference services to patrons. This course may be helpful for Music Librarians who want to develop a stronger foundation in music theory, which will give them a better understanding of the materials they are working with and enable them to provide more effective assistance to patrons. The course will provide experience reading and writing musical notation, which is essential for cataloging and organizing music collections.
Music Therapist
Music Therapist
Music Therapists use music to help people improve their physical and mental health. This course may be useful for Music Therapists who want to build a stronger foundation in music theory, which will give them a better understanding of the music they use in their work and enable them to tailor their interventions more effectively to the needs of their clients. The course will also provide experience reading and writing musical notation, which is essential for communicating with musicians and creating effective music therapy plans.
Music Director
Music Director
Music Directors lead and conduct musical ensembles, such as orchestras, bands, and choirs. This course may be useful for Music Directors who want to develop a stronger foundation in music theory, which will give them a better understanding of the music they conduct and enable them to lead their ensembles more effectively. The course will also provide experience reading and writing musical notation, which is essential for communicating with musicians and ensuring that performances meet the desired specifications.
Audio Engineer
Audio Engineer
Audio Engineers record, mix, and master audio for a variety of purposes, such as music, film, and television. This course may be helpful for Audio Engineers, particularly those interested in working in the music industry, as it can provide them with a stronger foundation in music theory. This will give them a better understanding of the music they are working with and enable them to produce recordings that meet the desired specifications.
Music Publisher
Music Publisher
Music Publishers acquire, promote, and distribute musical works. This course may be useful for Music Publishers who want to develop a stronger foundation in music theory. This will give them a better understanding of the music they work with and enable them to make more informed decisions about which works to acquire and publish.
Music Instrument Designer
Music Instrument Designer
Music Instrument Designers design and build musical instruments. This course may be helpful for Music Instrument Designers who wish to gain a better understanding of music theory, which will inform their design decisions and enable them to create instruments that meet the needs of musicians.
Music Software Developer
Music Software Developer
Music Software Developers design and develop software for musicians, such as music notation software, audio editing software, and music production software. This course may be useful for Music Software Developers who wish to gain a better understanding of music theory, which will inform their design decisions and enable them to create software that meets the needs of musicians.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/e1n5xt/getting
Featured in The Course Notes
This course is mentioned in our blog,
The Course Notes. Read
one article that features
Getting Started With Music Theory:
To read more articles from OpenCourser, visit:
OpenCourser.com/notes
Reading list
We've selected ten 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
Getting Started With Music Theory.
Is an advanced resource for musicians who want to learn more about music theory. It covers a wide range of topics, from the history of music theory to the latest developments in the field.
Explores the psychology of music, and how music affects the human mind and body. It's a great resource for musicians who want to learn more about the psychological effects of music.
Save
Explores the relationship between music and science, and how the natural order of the universe has been reflected in music throughout history. It's a great resource for musicians who want to learn more about the connections between music and the world around us.
Save
Great resource for musicians who want to learn music theory from the ground up. It covers everything from the basics of notation to advanced topics like harmony and counterpoint. It's also a great reference tool for musicians who want to brush up on their music theory skills.
Save
Explores the neuroscience of music, and how music affects the human brain. It's a great resource for musicians who want to learn more about the neurological effects of music.
Provides a comprehensive overview of music from a philosophical perspective. It's a great resource for musicians who want to learn more about the nature of music and how it has been used throughout history.
Comprehensive history of music theory from the ancient Greeks to the present day. It's a great resource for musicians who want to learn more about the history of music theory and how it has influenced the development of music.
Provides a comprehensive overview of music theory, covering everything from the basics of notation to advanced topics like harmony and counterpoint. It's a great resource for beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of music theory.
Provides a comprehensive overview of music theory, covering everything from the basics of notation to advanced topics like harmony and counterpoint. It's a great resource for musicians who want to learn the fundamentals of music theory.
Save
Provides a clear and concise introduction to music theory. It's a great resource for musicians who want to learn the basics of music theory.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/e1n5xt/getting
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Effort
4 weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Michigan State University
Instructor
Bruce Taggart
Language
English
Transcripts
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Featured in The Course Notes
Read
one article that features
this course,
Getting Started With Music Theory
from our blog, The Course Notes:
To read more articles from OpenCourser, visit:
OpenCourser.com/notes
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