Learn to Appreciate Music on a Deeper Level - Just Listen!

Rena Ng

Music appreciation for any music that you listen to, anytime, anywhere. No music background required.

Music appreciation for any music that you listen to, anytime, anywhere. No music background required.

Music is a big part of our daily lives. We hear it on radio, TV, shopping malls, or dedicated playlists that we have curated for different purposes. However, have you ever listened to the music and wondered what is going on? Music is made up of many layers and most of the time, it serves to convey an idea or evoke certain responses in listeners.In this interactive course, you will first understand the 8 elements of music that exist in most, if not all music around the world. You will learn about characteristics within each element that can easily be identified just by actively listening. We will be going on a little adventure with a very familiar tune and explore how the tune changes just by varying the musical elements.After that, we will take a broader perspective and discuss musical representations (e.g., emotions, landscapes, cultures). We will also discuss how the 8 musical elements were varied in order to achieve these intended purposes.

What this course offers:

· PDF workbook for the entire course

· Active listening cheat sheet

· Listening examples from a wide range of music (well-known classical music to modern music from musical theatre, film and pop music)- Average of 15 examples for each section on musical elements- Average of 10 listening examples for each lecture on musical representationsThis is not a music theory course so simplified terms will be used for easy understanding.

This course is for:· non-musicians who love music and want to learn more about how music works· beginner-intermediate musicians who wish to understand music in a more holistic mannerI look forward to seeing you inside.

Enroll now

Or start a personal plan

And upskill with Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Introduction & exploration of musical elements - rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, dynamics, tempo, form
Active listening to understand what is happening in the music

Many listening examples ranging from well-known classical pieces to modern musical theatre, film and pop music
How the musical elements are varied to achieve an intended effect (e.g. emotions, moods, characters, etc.)

Introduction & exploration of musical elements - rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, dynamics, tempo, form
Active listening to understand what is happening in the music
Many listening examples ranging from well-known classical pieces to modern musical theatre, film and pop music
How the musical elements are varied to achieve an intended effect (e.g. emotions, moods, characters, etc.)

Syllabus

Introduction

Rhythm

2.1 Beats in a Cycle (Part 1)

2.2 Beats in a Cycle (Part 2)

Save this course

Save Learn to Appreciate Music on a Deeper Level - Just Listen! to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

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 Learn to Appreciate Music on a Deeper Level - Just Listen! with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of fundamental music concepts like scales, chords, and key signatures to better grasp the course's exploration of musical elements.

Browse courses on Music Theory

Show steps

Review scales and key signatures.
Practice identifying basic chords.
Familiarize yourself with musical notation.

Read 'This Is Your Brain on Music'

Show steps

Gain insights into the neurological and psychological aspects of music perception to enhance your appreciation of how music affects us.

View Music As Medicine on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, taking notes on key concepts.
Reflect on how the book's insights relate to your own musical experiences.

Create a Playlist Analysis

Show steps

Apply your knowledge of musical elements by analyzing a playlist of your favorite songs, identifying how each element contributes to the overall effect.

Show steps

Choose a playlist of at least 10 songs.
For each song, identify the prominent musical elements.
Write a short paragraph describing how these elements create a specific mood or feeling.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Active Listening Exercises

Show steps

Sharpen your active listening skills by regularly practicing identifying musical elements in various genres.

Show steps

Choose a song from a genre you're unfamiliar with.
Listen to the song multiple times, focusing on different musical elements each time.
Write down your observations about each element.

Explore 'The Rest Is Noise'

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of music's role in society by exploring the historical and cultural contexts of 20th-century music.

View Wagnerism on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, focusing on the connections between music and historical events.
Consider how the book's insights change your perception of the music you listen to.

Compose a Short Piece

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of musical elements by composing a short piece that intentionally manipulates these elements to create a specific effect.

Show steps

Choose a specific emotion or mood you want to convey.
Experiment with different musical elements to achieve the desired effect.
Record or notate your composition.

Explore Music Production Tutorials

Show steps

Expand your understanding of how musical elements are manipulated in modern music by exploring tutorials on music production techniques.

Show steps

Search for tutorials on specific music production techniques (e.g., mixing, mastering, sound design).
Follow along with the tutorials, experimenting with different sounds and effects.
Reflect on how these techniques relate to the musical elements discussed in the course.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn to Appreciate Music on a Deeper Level - Just Listen! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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 Learn to Appreciate Music on a Deeper Level - Just Listen!.

Music As Medicine

Save

Explores the cognitive neuroscience of music, explaining how our brains perceive, process, and enjoy music. It provides a deeper understanding of the psychological and neurological effects of music, complementing the course's focus on active listening and musical elements. While not a music theory textbook, it offers valuable insights into why we respond to music the way we do. It is often recommended as supplemental reading for music appreciation courses.

Wagnerism

Save

Provides a cultural history of 20th-century music, exploring the social, political, and artistic contexts that shaped various musical movements. It broadens the course's scope by examining how music reflects and influences society. It is more valuable as additional reading to provide context than as a direct reference for musical elements. It is widely acclaimed for its comprehensive coverage and insightful analysis.