Solfege at your fingertips 4 from edX

Welcome to the fourth 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 – The basics

The basics: Note shapes, rest shapes, the direction of stems, dotted notes and ties, pulse and the three types of meter

Module 2 – Time signature and the bar

Time signatures, simple and compound meters, the bar

Module 3 – Simple meters and simple pulsee

Time signatures in simple meters, division levels simple pulse, different divisions of a simple pulse, rhythmic patterns simple

Module 4 – Compound measures and compound pulse

Time signatures in compound measures, division levels compound pulse, rhythmic patterns compound

Module 5 – Odd meters, the triplet, the duplet

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops proficiency in music theory and eye-hand coordination

Taught by Matthieu Van Vliet, a recognized music theorist and educator

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in music theory and solfege

Covers basic music theory concepts, such as note shapes, rest shapes, and time signatures

Includes interactive video capsules for sight-reading and musical dictations

This course is part of a series on solfege, providing a comprehensive learning path

Career center

Learners who complete Solfege at your fingertips 4 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Director

Music Directors oversee the artistic and administrative aspects of musical organizations, such as orchestras, choirs, and opera companies. They are responsible for selecting and preparing musical programs, conducting rehearsals, and leading performances. This course can help you develop the musical knowledge and skills necessary to succeed as a Music Director. You will learn how to read and write music, understand music theory, and conduct a musical ensemble. These skills will give you the foundation you need to lead and inspire musicians and create beautiful music.

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Composer

Composers create original music, ranging from classical to contemporary genres. They use their knowledge of music theory and composition techniques to write music that can be performed by musicians or ensembles. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Composer. You will learn how to write music using different instruments and styles, and you will gain experience in composing and arranging music for different purposes.

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Music Teacher

Music Teachers instruct students in the art of music. They teach music theory, music history, and how to play musical instruments. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to become a successful Music Teacher. You will learn how to read and write music, understand music theory, and teach music to students of all ages.

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Musician

Musicians perform music for audiences. They may play instruments, sing, or both. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Musician. You will learn how to read and write music, understand music theory, and perform music with others.

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Music Producer

Music Producers oversee the recording and production of music. They work with musicians, engineers, and other professionals to create and release music. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Producer. You will learn how to read and write music, understand music theory, and produce music using different techniques and technologies.

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Audio Engineer

Audio Engineers record, mix, and master audio. They work in a variety of settings, including recording studios, concert halls, and film and television studios. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Audio Engineer. You will learn how to use recording equipment, mix audio, and master audio for different purposes.

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Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and cognitive health. They work with individuals and groups in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, and community centers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Therapist. You will learn how to use music to help people relax, reduce stress, and improve their overall well-being.

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Music Journalist

Music Journalists write about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They interview musicians, review concerts and albums, and write feature stories about music-related topics. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Journalist. You will learn how to write about music in a clear and engaging way, and you will gain experience in interviewing musicians and writing about music-related topics.

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Music Librarian

Music Librarians organize and manage music collections in libraries and archives. They help researchers find music materials and provide information about music-related topics. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Librarian. You will learn how to catalog and organize music materials, and you will gain experience in providing reference services to researchers.

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Music Promoter

Music Promoters promote and organize concerts and other music events. They work with artists, venues, and fans to create and market music events. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Promoter. You will learn how to plan and organize music events, and you will gain experience in marketing and promoting music to fans.

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Music Critic

Music Critics write reviews and articles about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They provide their opinions on music performances, recordings, and other music-related topics. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Critic. You will learn how to write about music in a clear and engaging way, and you will gain experience in reviewing music performances and recordings.

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Music Publisher

Music Publishers acquire, edit, and promote musical works. They work with composers, songwriters, and musicians to publish and distribute their music. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Publisher. You will learn about the music publishing business and how to acquire, edit, and promote musical works.

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Music Agent

Music Agents represent musicians and other music professionals. They negotiate contracts, book tours, and manage the careers of their clients. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Agent. You will learn about the music industry and how to negotiate contracts and book tours for your clients.

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Music Distributor

Music Distributors distribute music to retailers and other music outlets. They work with record labels and artists to get their music into the hands of consumers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Distributor. You will learn about the music distribution business and how to get music into the hands of consumers.

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Music Educator

Music Educators teach music in schools and other educational institutions. They teach music theory, music history, and how to play musical instruments. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Educator. You will learn how to teach music to students of all ages and how to create and implement music curricula.

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