Adventures in Classical Music—Music Appreciation for All! from Udemy

Music appreciation for the 21st century. Learn about Classical Music in the Western world from the Middle Ages to the present.

You’ll begin with an introduction to the various elements of music for example, melody, rhythm, pitch and harmony – to give you the basics and vocabulary of music theory to understand and appreciate any type of music. You’ll then explore the History of Classical Music through its various stylistic periods, from medieval chant right up to the current cutting edge. Anyone interested in classical music will benefit from this course.

Section 1 includes a Short History of Rock and Roll to illustrate the musical elements and musical style.

Learn about early music beginning with monophony and how polyphony developed during the period of the building of the great cathedrals.

What was happening in music during the period in which Michelangelo was painting the Sistine Chapel? A return to some Ancient ideals led to a rediscovery of the science of acoustics, providing a basis for the theory of modern harmony. How the course of music changed as a result of Martin Luther’s break from the Church.

Here we have the origins of opera, as well as a flowering of instrumental music, culminating in the works of Bach, Handel and Vivaldi.

In reaction to the florid complexities of the Baroque, and influenced by the Age of Reason, the Classical period focused on simplicity and elegance, producing such composers as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.

The Age of Reason was too “reasonable” for the the Romanticists. They valued heightened emotion over elegance. The music of Schumann, Chopin, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Verdi and Puccini were some of its greatest accomplishments.

Formerly referred to as the 20th century period, it now needs to reflect its expansion into the 21st century. Some of the greatest composers of this period have been Stravinsky, Bartok, Schoenberg, Britten, Shostakovich, Ives, Copland and Barber.

I concurrently teach this course at Santa Rosa Junior College (for core Humanities credit). Please take a moment to read a few testimonials by Santa Rosa students about this course, as they testify to my passion and command of the subject matter.

This has been a super-duper class, and I find myself a little sad to find it drawing to a close. I've always enjoyed classical music rather passively; I now feel that I can be an active participant, with a deeper understanding of the musical concepts, the composers themselves, and their historical context. Very cool. ”

I have found these lectures easy to understand and digest into my appreciation and education of classical music.”

I have a doctorate degree, and this has been one of the most thorough and informative classed I have ever taken. It has deepened my understanding and enjoyment of the music I have been listening to for the past 35 years...I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the depth and clarity of presentation of this class. Do you offer any other online classes? I have recommended it to many of my friends…”

Great lectures, this is the first online class I've taken that I felt the instructor was as dedicated to his online students as his in-person ones.

”

..lectures were terrific, especially the use of the history of Rock 'n' Roll to begin a very clear and concise exploration of the basics of music ...Thanks very much for teaching such an excellent course. Sincerely,”

What's inside

Learning objectives

You will learn the component parts of music—rhythm, pitch, melody, harmony, form, etc.
Then you will apply those concepts to an exploration of the history of classical music.

In the end, you will have developed a greater understanding of music in its various stages of development
You will be able to more accurately identify the works and the composer’s style, as well as place it in the timeline of the history of music.

You will learn the component parts of music—rhythm, pitch, melody, harmony, form, etc.
Then you will apply those concepts to an exploration of the history of classical music.
In the end, you will have developed a greater understanding of music in its various stages of development
You will be able to more accurately identify the works and the composer’s style, as well as place it in the timeline of the history of music.

Syllabus

What is functional harmony and how does it relate to phrase structure?

The Elements of Music: Introduction to Music Appreciation

A preview of what the course will cover, featuring a timeline of musical history.

This is the first of 2 parts of a brief history of Rock and Roll, presented to illustrate how key elements of music contribute to style.

This is the second of 2 parts of a brief history of Rock and Roll, presented to illustrate how key elements of music contribute to style.

A collection of definitions of texture, all non-musical.

What is meter and how is it related to rhythm? Simple meter is discussed first.

Here we look at how harmony and melodic phrases work together.

What is musical texture?

Please view the short supplementary video on general texture.

In music, instruments perform the function of the colors employed in painting.

—Honoré de Balzac

Composer Benjamin Britten wrote a set of orchestral variations on a theme written by Henry Purcell, in which he highlights the instruments of the orchestra.

Early musical notation and the church scales

Notre Dame, Paris; world events and innovation in the 12th and 13th centuries

The acoustic foundation of modern harmony.

The mass was the cornerstone of Renaissance music—the most common form and, for much of the Renaissance, an essential crucible for experimentation.

The church on trial and eventually, the reformers on trial.

The madrigal and a new interest in secular music.

New style features in the early Baroque; Monteverdi’s Orfeo.

My own musings on what this opera thing is about.

A look at one of Bach’s most famous cantatas, “Wachet Auf” (Cantata No. 140)

In which we conclude our look at one of Bach’s most famous cantatas, “Wachet Auf” (Cantata No. 140) —part 2 of 2.

A cursory look at opera of the high Baroque with a few excerpts from Julius Caesar.

Before looking at form (structure) in music, we look at form in poetry first, then at painting (in next lecture segment).

Before looking at form (structure) in music, we've just looked at form in poetry; now we look at form in painting (in next lecture segment).

Every breath you take,

then a Mozart’s horn concerto.

To look at this most complex form, we’re going to listen to one of the Mozart’s most popular works.

Sonata Form is looked at in depth in the first movement of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40.

A female composer, Francesca LeBrun, and Benjamin Franklin figure in this lecture.

The Marriage of Figaro

There appears to be a problem here. YouTube has allowed this video to be embedded here for several years, but now, they have revoked access. Here is the YouTube link that will allow you to access the video while this gets sorted out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQmL6ki6yE8?start=2330&;end=4600

Susanna hides Cherubino as she hears the Count approaching and mayhem ensues.

Here, I fill in the plot before you begin Act 2 of Marriage of Figaro.

When the Countess finds out that the Count is trying to seduce Susanna, Figaro, Susanna and the Countess hatch a plot that doesn't quite work out according to plan. (Part 2)

First watch Act 2. Then, I invite you to watch the rest of the opera, but it is not required.

With this lecture, we begin our in-depth examination of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.

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Begins with an introduction to musical elements like melody, rhythm, and harmony, providing a foundation for understanding and appreciating various types of music

Explores the history of classical music through its stylistic periods, from medieval chant to contemporary compositions, offering a comprehensive overview

Includes a short history of rock and roll to illustrate musical elements and style, offering a familiar point of reference for understanding classical music concepts

Examines the origins of opera and the flowering of instrumental music, culminating in the works of Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi, which are essential figures in classical music

Analyzes the transition from the Classical period to the Romantic era through Beethoven, a pivotal figure bridging these styles, which is helpful for understanding music history

Features lectures that incorporate musical examples from The Police and Mozart, which may help learners understand complex musical forms

Reviews summary

Accessible introduction to classical music

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive experience for those seeking to understand classical music. Students particularly highlight the instructor's engaging style and clear explanations, often noting how the use of unique examples like Rock and Roll helps illustrate fundamental musical concepts effectively. The course structure follows a logical historical timeline, offering a solid introduction to music appreciation. While many found the pace suitable, especially beginners, a few felt certain sections moved either too quickly or too slowly, and some wished for greater depth on specific topics or musical theory. Overall, it's highly recommended for those looking to deepen their enjoyment and knowledge of classical music history.

Logical timeline, but pace varies, suitable for beginners.

"Pace was good for a beginner like me."

"Sometimes felt a bit fast through certain periods, but overall informative."

"The structure was logical."

"Pace was inconsistent. Some parts too slow, others too fast."

Excellent appreciation intro; some desire more depth.

"Solid foundation. Covers a lot of ground."

"Disappointed. Too basic. Didn't go into enough detail on theory or specific works."

"Okay course... Expected more depth."

"Good starting point for appreciation."

Concepts explained clearly with diverse examples.

"...loved the rock examples to explain basics."

"The explanations of musical elements using everyday examples were brilliant."

"Everything was explained clearly."

"The rock examples were surprisingly effective. Learned a lot..."

Instructor's passion and clarity praised.

"Great overview, instructor is passionate..."

"Absolutely fantastic! Deepened my appreciation immensely. The explanations... were brilliant."

"Enjoyed the historical timeline. Instructor is knowledgeable."

"Best music appreciation course I've taken online. The instructor is amazing, really brings the history to life."

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 Adventures in Classical Music—Music Appreciation for All! with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Strengthen your understanding of fundamental music concepts. This will provide a solid foundation for appreciating the historical context and stylistic evolution of classical music.

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Review definitions of rhythm, melody, and harmony.
Practice identifying intervals and chords.
Listen to simple melodies and analyze their structure.

Read 'Classical Music for Dummies'

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Gain a foundational understanding of classical music. This book provides a user-friendly overview of the key concepts and historical periods.

View Classical Music For Dummies (For Dummies... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Classical Music For Dummies'.
Read the chapters on music theory and history.
Focus on the sections covering composers in the course.

Read 'The Rest Is Noise' by Alex Ross

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Expand your knowledge of 20th-century classical music. This book offers a broader perspective on the composers and their works.

View Wagnerism: Art and Politics in the Shadow of... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Rest Is Noise'.
Read the chapters relevant to the course syllabus.
Take notes on key composers and musical movements.

Four other activities

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Create a Playlist

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Reinforce your knowledge of different composers and styles. Curating a playlist will help you actively engage with the music.

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Choose a theme for your playlist (e.g., Baroque concertos).
Select pieces that fit the theme.
Arrange the pieces in a logical order.
Write a short description of the playlist.

Explore Online Music Scores

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Enhance your ability to follow musical scores. This activity will help you visualize the music and understand its structure.

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Find online scores for pieces covered in the course.
Follow along with the score while listening to the music.
Pay attention to the different instrumental parts.

Create a Composer Timeline

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Solidify your understanding of classical music history. Creating a visual timeline will help you organize composers and their works within their respective periods.

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Research key composers from each period.
Create a timeline with composers and their birth/death dates.
Add representative works for each composer.
Include brief descriptions of their style.

Analyze Musical Forms

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Deepen your understanding of musical structure. This project will involve analyzing the form of several classical pieces.

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Select three classical pieces from different periods.
Identify the form of each piece (e.g., sonata form, rondo).
Create a diagram illustrating the form of each piece.
Write a short analysis of each piece's form.

Career center

Learners who complete Adventures in Classical Music—Music Appreciation for All! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Teacher

A music teacher shares their passion for music with students of all ages. This course helps build a foundation for teaching classical music, because it explores its history from the Middle Ages to the present. The course covers the elements of music such as rhythm, pitch, melody, and harmony, providing a music teacher with the vocabulary and concepts needed to explain these topics effectively. The course's exploration of musical styles and composers throughout history also allows the music teacher to provide context and deeper appreciation to students. Anyone considering a career as a music teacher may find this course useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Choir Director

Choir directors lead and train choirs, selecting repertoire and conducting rehearsals. This course helps build a foundation for understanding classical choral music and its historical context. The course's exploration of musical elements, such as harmony and texture, is valuable for a choir director in analyzing and interpreting choral scores. Additionally, the course's coverage of musical forms and compositional techniques enhances the choir director's ability to lead rehearsals and shape performances. Anyone considering a career as a choir director may find this course useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Choir Director

Opera Singer

Opera singers perform in operatic productions, requiring vocal training and acting skills. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the history and context of opera, which is essential for interpreting roles and connecting with audiences. An opera singer benefits from the course's exploration of musical styles and composers, as well as its coverage of vocal techniques and dramatic expression. The course's focus on musical forms and compositional devices enhances the opera singer's ability to embody characters and convey the emotional depth of operas. Anyone considering a career as an opera singer may find this course useful.

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Music Critic

Music critics evaluate and analyze musical performances and recordings. The course on classical music helps train the ear to listen critically and provides a strong understanding of musical elements and historical context. A music critic benefits from the course's historical overview of classical music, which provides a framework for evaluating and comparing different works. In addition, the course covers musical forms, compositional techniques, and the evolution of musical styles. All of this may help a music critic write informed and insightful reviews. Anyone exploring a career as a music critic may find this course useful.

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Musicologist

Musicologists research and study the history, culture, and theory of music. Musicologists require a deep understanding of music history, theory, and analysis. This course helps build a foundation for musicological study by providing a comprehensive overview of classical music from the Middle Ages to the present. The musicologist benefits from the course's detailed exploration of musical elements, forms, and styles, as well as its coverage of key composers and their works. Anyone considering a career as a musicologist may find this course useful. A doctoral degree is typically required.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musicologist

Conductor

A conductor leads an orchestra or other musical ensemble. This course may be useful, as conductors must have a deep understanding of music theory, history, and performance practice. The conductor benefits from this course's survey of classical music from the Middle Ages to the present. The course's coverage of musical elements, forms, and styles may help build a conductor's ability to interpret scores, lead rehearsals, and shape performances. Anyone considering a career as a conductor may find this course useful.

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Orchestral Musician

Orchestral musicians perform as part of a symphony orchestra. While intense instrumental practice is key to becoming an orchestral musician, this course may be useful too. A background in musical forms and history may help build a deeper appreciation of the pieces they perform. Additionally, a solid basis in music theory may help the orchestral musician better understand the structure of musical works, improve ensemble playing, and enhance their overall musicianship. Anyone considering a career as an orchestral musician may find this course useful.

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Arts Administrator

An arts administrator manages and promotes arts organizations, which may include orchestras or opera companies. This course may be useful, as the lessons provide a solid foundation in classical music history and theory. An arts administrator benefits from its broad survey of musical periods and composers, along with its exploration of musical elements like rhythm, melody, and harmony. This knowledge helps an arts administrator in marketing, fundraising, and audience engagement. Anyone considering a career as an arts administrator may find this course useful.

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Music Librarian

Music librarians manage collections of musical scores, recordings, and related materials. This course may be useful, as music librarians require a deep understanding of music history and theory. This course's coverage of classical music from the Middle Ages to the present builds a comprehensive knowledge base. A music librarian benefits from the course's exploration of musical elements and historical styles, which are essential for cataloging and preserving musical resources, and assisting researchers. Anyone considering a career as a music librarian may find this course useful. A master's degree in library science is typically required.

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Music Therapist

Music therapists use music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. This course may be useful, as it provides a broad understanding of classical music, which can be used in therapeutic settings to promote relaxation, emotional expression, and cognitive stimulation. The lessons in rhythm, melody, and harmony may help a music therapist create personalized interventions for clients. A music therapist typically requires a degree in music therapy and board certification.

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Film Composer

Film composers create music for movies, and may occasionally work on projects that require an understanding of classical music. The lessons in music theory may help a film composer who wants to incorporate classical elements into their scores. The course's coverage of musical devices enhances the film composer's ability to use music to enhance storytelling and create emotional impact. Anyone considering a career as a film composer may find this course useful.

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Music Supervisor

Music supervisors select and license music for film, television, and other media. The course on classical music may be useful, as a music supervisor needs a broad knowledge of musical styles and genres. The music supervisor benefits from the course's historical overview of classical music, which provides a framework for identifying and selecting appropriate pieces for different projects. Additionally, the course's exploration of musical elements, forms, and composers enhances the music supervisor's ability to make informed decisions about music placement. Anyone considering a career as a music supervisor may find this course useful.

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Music Producer

Music producers oversee the creative and technical aspects of recording music. This course may be useful, as a music producer working with classical artists benefits from a thorough understanding of classical music history and theory. The course's exploration of musical elements, forms, and styles may help the music producer guide artists in their performances and make informed decisions during the recording process. Additionally, the course's coverage of musical genres and composers may inspire new creative approaches to classical music production. Anyone considering a career as a music producer may find this course useful.

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Ethnomusicologist

Ethnomusicologists study the music of different cultures. This course may be useful, as the discipline requires a broad understanding of music history and theory. This course's exploration of Western classical music provides a foundation for understanding the development and evolution of musical styles. Additionally, the course's coverage of musical elements, forms, and composers enhances the ethnomusicologist's analytical skills and ability to compare and contrast different musical traditions. A doctoral degree is typically required.

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Audio Engineer

Audio engineers record, mix, and master audio for various media, and sometimes work in environments that require classical music. This course may be useful, as a knowledge of music theory and history may help in capturing high-quality recordings. The course's exploration of musical elements, forms, and composers enhances the audio engineer's ability to understand and respond to the nuances of classical music. Anyone considering a career as an audio engineer may find this course useful.

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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 Adventures in Classical Music—Music Appreciation for All!.

Classical Music For Dummies

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Offers a broad overview of classical music history, composers, and key works. It's written in an engaging and easy-to-understand style, making it perfect for beginners. It complements the course by providing historical context and introducing major figures and musical periods, enhancing the listener's appreciation and understanding of classical music.

Classical Music For Dummies (For Dummies (Music))

Paperback

Wagnerism

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Provides a comprehensive overview of 20th-century classical music. It explores the historical, social, and cultural contexts that shaped the music of this era. Reading this book will greatly enhance your understanding and appreciation of the composers and works covered in the later sections of the course. It is valuable as additional reading to provide depth to the course.

Wagnerism: Art and Politics in the Shadow of Music

Kindle Edition

Adventures in Classical Music—Music Appreciation for All!

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Accessible introduction to classical music

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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