Why Music Works from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

The origins of, and the reasons behind, music harmony.
How sound works.
Where music harmony comes from.
Why we have chords.
Why we have keys.
Why we have major and minor keys.
Why we have scales.
Why we have major and minor scales.

Why there is more than one type of minor scale.
Why there are only 7 notes in a scale.
Why there are only 12 different notes in total.
Why some chords go together better than others.
Why rhythm works.
A bit about monkeys.
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The origins of, and the reasons behind, music harmony.
How sound works.
Where music harmony comes from.
Why we have chords.
Why we have keys.
Why we have major and minor keys.
Why we have scales.
Why we have major and minor scales.
Why there is more than one type of minor scale.
Why there are only 7 notes in a scale.
Why there are only 12 different notes in total.
Why some chords go together better than others.
Why rhythm works.
A bit about monkeys.
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Syllabus

In this introductory lecture, students will learn about the content of course

Intro - Have you ever wondered why we have keys? Why there are only 12 keys? Why we have scales? Why there are major and minor scales? Why there are only 7 notes in a scale? Why there's more than one type of minor scale? Why some notes go better together than others? Why some chords go better together than others? If you have, then you've come to the right place.

Before we can understand music harmony, we need to understand a little about how sound works first. This lecture looks at the fundamentals of sound.

Now that we know all sound is produced by something vibrating, we need to take a look at how things vibrate because that is where the secret to all music harmony lies.

The Harmonic Series holds the key to understanding all music harmony. It is baked into the very fabric of the Universe.

Now that we know the Harmonic Series, and in particular, the major chord, is baked into the very fabric of the Universe, it's worth just taking a moment to look at a little bit of history and ask "How old is music?"

Time for the interval methinks. Our old friend Pythagoras was into more than just squares of the hypotenuse and so in this lesson, we’re going to take a closer look at the harmonies he was interested in and how they relate back to the Harmonic Series. Stay tuned folks!

The Harmonic Series reveals more of its secrets. This time we look at the relationships between notes and discover that every note has a special relationship with two other notes, one on either side.

The Harmonic Series has shown us that every note has a special relationship with two other notes a fifth either side. Let’s see what happens when we overlay the major chord, also kindly provided to us by the Harmonic Series, on top of these notes.

From tiny acorns, mighty oaks will grow. Whichever way you look at it, it’s all a matter of scale.

A musical key is built from related notes around a home note. It can be thought of as a family, where the home note is Mum and the other notes are the kids. The kids will run off and play but eventually they will always return home to Mum, and so it is with Western harmonic music.

Time for a night cap I think. Also time to talk about the diatonic scale, and in particular, the tetrachord.

Now that we know about the tetrachord, we can use this to easily identify all of the twelve major keys.

Phew! Time for a well earned break I think so let's just have a few relaxing moments with the monkeys from Ipanema (well, Thailand actually).

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala. *1

It's the circle of fifths. And it moves us all. Through despair and hope. Through faith and love.

*1 - Lion and leopard spots.

A 1951 post-apocalyptic lecture on triads and their inversions. Warning: some scenes may be unsuitable for young viewers.

Apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, public health and peace, what have the Romans ever done for us?

Well, they gave us Roman Numerals for starters.

Much as the notes of a diatonic scale can be thought of as a family, so too can the chords of a key, with the chord on the tonic being Mum, and the others being the kids, who will all run off and play but eventually return back to Mum. Some of the kids have favourites, Mum has her favourites too.

Everybody needs a job when they grow up, and chords are no different.

The Harmonic Series gives us the Perfect Intervals, the major chord and so the major scale. But as a consequence of this, we find the tritone, or the diminished fifth, nestling in the confines of the triad built on the seventh degree of the major scale. Surely, this is the work of the Devil!

There are no jungles in Asia Minor. There are no monkeys for that matter. This was a mistake, it should have read “The Jungles of Major Minor”. The origin of the minor keys has been shrouded in mystery for too long. It’s time to lift the lid.

The last time three notes went into a bar, they came from the major key. This time, we're going to see what happens when three notes from the minor key go into a bar.

Space . . . and Time . . . the final frontiers. These are the voyages of the Music Monkey Guru. His five year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new harmonic progressions, to boldly go where no one has gone before.

In this lesson we look at the Arrow of Time, and how music uses rhythm as a template over which harmonies can unfold. We look at Time Signatures, Simple Time, Compound Time and spend no time at all considering whether Johann Strauss was actually a fly.

Modulation Modulation Modulation

That’s what you need.

If you wanna be the best

And you wanna beat the rest.

Oo-ooh! Modulation’s what you need.

(Trumpet Solo)

Modulation’s what you need.

If you wanna be a record breaker.

Record Breaker ooooooh!

Feeling tense? Let it go. Just relax. That good? Now tense up again. Done it? Hold it. Now let it go. Feel good? That's music that is.

In the 16th century, they would occasionally place live birds in a pie that would then fly out "when the pie was opened" as a form of entertainment (this was before T.V. remember). Happily, this practice has since died out, but is alluded to in a popular nursery rhyme with its familiar melody. This lecture is not about pies, it is about melody.

Chord progressions are great and form the phrases from which we can build sentences. Sentences need to be put together to form a story with a beginning, a middle and an end and so we need to provide a structure to a piece of music.

I thought it would be useful to take a look at putting it all together.

Sometimes you have to tell a few little porkies to get to the Big Truths.

The final lesson in the series. Here, I wrap up the series, with a few words on what I've talked about and what I haven't talked about, among other things.

Couldn't help but publish these.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the 'why' behind music harmony, which can deepen a student's understanding and appreciation of music theory and composition

Examines the physics of sound and the harmonic series, which provides a scientific foundation for understanding musical concepts

Covers topics such as keys, scales, chords, and rhythm, which are fundamental elements in Western music theory and composition

Includes discussions about the historical context of music and the contributions of figures like Pythagoras, which enriches the learning experience

Features sections with titles like 'Twelve Monkeys' and 'Diabolus In Musica,' which may be confusing or distracting to some learners

Includes lessons with titles like 'A 1951 post-apocalyptic lecture on triads and their inversions,' which may not appeal to all learners

Reviews summary

Explaining the 'why' in music

According to learners, this course offers a unique and insightful approach to understanding the fundamentals of Western music harmony by focusing on the reasons behind established rules. Students particularly appreciate the instructor's clear explanations and engaging style, which often incorporates humor and unconventional references (like monkeys or movie quotes) to make complex topics more accessible. The course is seen as providing a solid theoretical foundation and revealing the logic underlying concepts like scales, keys, and chords. While suitable for various levels, some absolute beginners found certain sections challenging, suggesting some prior musical knowledge might be helpful. Overall, it's highly recommended for anyone curious about the physics and history behind harmony.

Distinctive style with memorable, unusual examples.

"The parts about monkeys were surprisingly relevant and made the course memorable!"

"Really appreciated the unconventional examples and analogies; they helped concepts stick."

"It's unlike any other music theory course I've taken, in a good way."

Builds a strong understanding of harmonic principles.

"Gained a solid foundation in understanding the origins of harmony."

"This course really solidified my understanding of fundamental principles like the harmonic series and intervals."

"It dives deep into the theoretical underpinnings which is exactly what I was looking for."

Instructor makes complex topics understandable and fun.

"The instructor is fantastic! Explains everything so clearly and keeps it interesting."

"His sense of humor and unique examples make the learning process really enjoyable."

"Lectures are well-structured and easy to follow, even when the concepts are new."

Understand the logic behind music harmony rules.

"I always wondered why we have keys and scales. This course explains the reasoning behind it all."

"Loved getting into the 'why' instead of just the 'how' of music theory."

"Finally, someone explains *why* harmony works this way, not just that it does."

May be challenging without prior musical background.

"Some sections felt a bit fast-paced, especially without any prior music theory knowledge."

"As a complete beginner, I had to rewatch some lectures multiple times to grasp the concepts."

"Might be easier for those who already know the basics of reading music or playing an instrument."

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 Why Music Works with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Strengthen your understanding of fundamental music concepts like notes, scales, and chords to better grasp the course's explanations of harmony.

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Review the definitions of notes, scales, and chords.
Practice identifying intervals and chord qualities.
Complete online quizzes to test your knowledge.

Read 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition'

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Gain a solid foundation in music theory principles to better understand the 'why' behind musical harmony.

View Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How... on Amazon

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Read the chapters on scales, chords, and key signatures.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Take notes on key concepts and definitions.

Discuss Harmonic Progressions with Peers

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Reinforce your understanding of harmonic progressions by discussing them with peers and analyzing examples from different musical styles.

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Form a study group with other students.
Choose several songs and analyze their chord progressions.
Discuss the function of each chord within the progression.
Share your findings and insights with the group.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Compose a Short Piece Using Specific Chord Progressions

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Apply your knowledge of chord progressions and harmony by composing a short musical piece, solidifying your understanding through practical application.

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Choose a key and a set of chord progressions from the course.
Compose a melody that complements the chosen progressions.
Arrange the piece for a specific instrument or ensemble.
Record or notate your composition.

Explore 'Harmony' by Walter Piston

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Deepen your understanding of advanced harmonic concepts and techniques through a rigorous study of a classic harmony textbook.

View Harmony on Amazon

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Read the chapters on chord voicings, modulations, and non-harmonic tones.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Analyze musical scores to identify harmonic techniques.

Analyze Music Scores

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Improve your understanding of music harmony by analyzing scores from different composers and musical periods.

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Select scores from different genres and composers.
Identify the key, chord progressions, and harmonic devices used.
Research the historical context of the music.
Write a short analysis of the harmony in each piece.

Transcribe and Analyze a Jazz Standard

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Apply your knowledge of harmony and chord progressions by transcribing and analyzing a jazz standard, focusing on its unique harmonic characteristics.

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Choose a jazz standard to transcribe.
Transcribe the melody, chords, and bass line.
Analyze the harmonic structure and identify any unique chord substitutions or alterations.
Write a short analysis of the harmony in the jazz standard.

Career center

Learners who complete Why Music Works will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Composer

A composer creates original musical works, from symphonies to film scores. Understanding the foundations of harmony, as explored in this course, is crucial for any aspiring composer. This course examines the reasons behind Western music harmony, including keys, scales, and chord progressions, providing a composer with a deeper understanding of the tools they use to create music. In particular, learning about the harmonic series and its influence on musical intervals can inform a composer's decisions about melody and harmony.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Songwriter

Songwriters craft original songs, often combining lyrics and melodies. This course can be an invaluable asset to a songwriter, providing a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of music harmony. The course covers essential elements like keys, scales, chord progressions, and rhythm, which are building blocks for crafting compelling and memorable songs. Examining the origins of the minor scale and its use in creating emotion also helps.

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Music Arranger

A music arranger adapts existing musical compositions for different ensembles or performance settings. This course helps a music arranger by providing deep knowledge of music harmony. Learning why certain notes and chords work well together, and why we have scales and keys, can greatly influence the choices an arranger makes. The course's lessons on chord progressions and modulation can be especially useful when adapting a piece for a new instrumentation or vocal arrangement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Arranger

Orchestrator

An orchestrator takes a composer's work and assigns different instruments to play specific parts, creating a full orchestral arrangement. This course helps the orchestrator by providing an understanding of harmony. Learning why certain notes and chords work well together may influence the choices an orchestrator makes. Lessons on chord progressions and keys may be especially useful when adapting a piece for a full orchestra.

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Film Scorer

A film scorer composes music specifically for films, enhancing the emotional impact of scenes. A comprehensive understanding of music harmony is crucial for a film scorer, and this course provides just that. The course delves into the reasons behind keys, scales, and chord progressions, as well as why certain notes and chords work well together. The lessons on tension and release in music may be beneficial for film scoring.

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Video Game Composer

Video game composers create music for video games. Video game music often needs to be adaptive and dynamic, changing based on player actions. This course may help a video game composer by providing insights into the underlying principles of music harmony. The course covers essential elements like keys, scales, chord progressions, and rhythm, which are all important for writing video game music. The lessons on modulation are useful.

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Music Educator

A music educator teaches musical concepts and skills to students of all ages. This course may be particularly helpful for music educators who want to deepen their own understanding of music theory. By exploring the reasons behind harmony, keys, and scales, a music educator can approach their teaching with greater confidence and clarity. The knowledge of music history can be useful. Understanding the harmonic series is also useful.

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Musical Theatre Writer

A musical theatre writer creates the music for musical theatre productions, often collaborating with lyricists and playwrights. This course explores the reasons behind harmony, delving into keys, scales, and chord progressions. This course may be especially helpful for musical theatre writers who want to create music that moves audiences and effectively tells a story.

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Church Musician

A church musician provides music for religious services, often playing instruments or leading a choir. Knowledge of harmony is useful for someone who wishes to be a church musician. This course covers the reasons behind Western music harmony including keys, scales, and chord progressions. Someone who wishes to be a church musician should take this course to help build a strong foundation in harmony.

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Jazz Musician

A jazz musician improvises and performs jazz music, often in ensembles or as a solo act. While jazz often incorporates complex harmonies and improvisational techniques, understanding the fundamentals of music theory is essential, and this course focuses on just that. This course examines the reasons behind Western music harmony, including keys, scales, and chord progressions. The course's lessons on improvisation may be useful.

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Choir Director

A choir director leads and manages a choir, selecting repertoire, conducting rehearsals, and leading performances. This course may be helpful for choir directors who want to deepen their own understanding of music theory. By exploring the reasons behind harmony, keys, and scales, a choir director can approach their role with greater confidence and precision. An understanding of the harmonic series can be helpful.

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Music Director

A music director usually leads a musical ensemble. The music director is responsible for choosing music, leading rehearsals, and conducting performances. This course may be helpful for music directors who want to deepen their own understanding of music theory. This course may especially helpful by providing the understanding of music history. The knowledge of why some chords go better together than others can be very useful.

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Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. While not directly related to therapeutic techniques, this course may enhance a music therapist's understanding of how music affects people. The course's exploration of rhythm, harmony, and melody may inform a music therapist's selection of music for various therapeutic interventions. Insights into why certain musical elements evoke specific emotions, explored in the course, may be useful.

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Audio Engineer

An audio engineer works with the technical aspects of sound, including recording, mixing, and mastering. While not directly focused on the technical side, this course may benefit an audio engineer by deepening their appreciation for the nuances of music. Understanding harmony, scales, and chord progressions may enhance an audio engineer's ability to make informed decisions about EQ, compression, and other audio processing techniques. A better understanding of the relationships between notes and chords can be helpful for mixing music.

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Ethnomusicologist

An ethnomusicologist studies music in its cultural context, often conducting fieldwork and research on diverse musical traditions. While this course focuses on Western music harmony, it may still be useful for an ethnomusicologist seeking to understand the theoretical underpinnings of music. By delving into the reasons behind keys, scales, and chords, ethnomusicologist may gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of musical systems around the world. A Master's degree or PhD is usually expected.

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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 Why Music Works.

Harmony

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This classic text on harmony, known for its rigorous and systematic approach. It delves into the principles of tonal harmony with detailed explanations and numerous examples. While it can be challenging, it provides a thorough understanding of harmonic function and voice leading, making it a valuable resource for advanced students and those seeking a deeper understanding of music theory.

Music Theory Note by Note

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While not directly about music theory, ear training is crucial for understanding and applying theoretical concepts. provides exercises and techniques for developing the ability to recognize intervals, chords, and melodies by ear. It complements the course by helping students internalize the sounds of different harmonic structures.

Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How Music...

Kindle Edition

Why Music Works

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Explaining the 'why' in music

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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