Music Theory Courses and Certifications

Fundamentals of Music Theory

27 reviews

Explore Western music theory from basics to advanced concepts, covering pitches, scales, rhythm, harmony, and more. Develop skills to read, write, analyze, and listen to music informedly.

• Coursera
• 12 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Introduction To Music Theory

7 reviews

Learn key concepts and approaches needed to understand, create, and perform contemporary music.

• edX
• 6 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

How to Write Your First Song

168 reviews

Get a practical introduction to the mechanics of songwriting and meet established songwriters with this free online course

• FutureLearn
• 6 weeks, 3 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

• Best of All Time

Getting Started With Music Theory

749 ratings at Coursera

Explore pitch, rhythm, notation, scales, keys, and basic harmony. Learn to read and write music, understand major and minor keys, and harmonize melodies. Ideal for music enthusiasts seeking to enhance their theoretical knowledge.

• Coursera
• 13 hours 15 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Musicianship: Chord Charts, Diatonic Chords, and Minor Keys

550 ratings at Coursera

Explore advanced musicianship concepts including chord charts, diatonic chords, minor keys, and ear training. Develop skills in composition and performance using popular chord progressions and the major pentatonic scale.

• Coursera
• 12 hours 14 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Approaching Music Theory: Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony

159 ratings at Coursera

Explore melodic structures, harmony, and music theory through diverse styles. Develop a theoretical vocabulary to enhance appreciation and analysis of musical compositions.

• Coursera
• 22 hours 20 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Musicianship: Tensions, Harmonic Function, and Modal Interchange

400 ratings at Coursera

Explore advanced musicianship concepts including harmonic function, modal interchange, and chord tensions. Develop ear training skills and learn to compose using popular chord progressions.

• Coursera
• 10 hours 21 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

An introduction to music theory

64 ratings at OpenLearn

Gain an understanding of the basic building blocks of musical theory and notation. This free course, An introduction to music theory, will introduce you to music staves, clefs, rhythmic and pitch ...

• OpenLearn
• 8 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Form in Classical Music - Rondo, Sonata-Allegro, and Theme and Variations - Lecture 11

Explore musical forms like rondo and theme and variations through works by Mozart, Brahms, and Beethoven. Analyze classical pieces and discover how these forms appear in contemporary music.

• YouTube
• 50 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Bass Patterns in Blues and Rock - Lecture 8

Explore bass patterns and chord progressions in popular and classical music, learning to identify harmonic structures across genres from Mozart to Justin Timberlake.

• YouTube
• 48 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Sonata-Allegro Form and Theme and Variations - Lecture 10

Explore sonata-allegro form and theme and variations through in-depth analysis, examples from Beethoven and Mozart, and a live performance of Corelli's La Folia, enhancing musical understanding.

• YouTube
• 53 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Sonata-Allegro Form in Mozart and Beethoven - Lecture 9

Explore musical forms from pop to classical, focusing on ternary and sonata-allegro structures. Analyze examples from 'N Sync, Mozart, and Beethoven to understand harmonic relationships and compositional techniques.

• YouTube
• 49 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Harmony: Chords and How to Build Them - Lecture 7

Explore harmony in Western music: chord formation, progressions, and modulation. Develop listening skills to identify harmonic changes across diverse musical styles.

• YouTube
• 50 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Rhythm in Jazz, Pop, and Classical Music - Lecture 4

Explore musical acoustics, rhythm, texture, and dictation, culminating in an analysis of Mozart's Requiem. Gain insights into complex musical concepts and their practical applications.

• YouTube
• 51 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Introduction to Instruments and Musical Genres - Lecture 2

Explore classical music terminology, instruments, and acoustics. Learn about motives, themes, and genres while experiencing live demonstrations of French horn, bassoon, and viola.

• YouTube
• 47 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video