Music Theory I: A College Companion Course

Name: Music Theory I: A College Companion Course
Rating: 4.7 (11 reviews)

The first semester of music theory

Created byMax Keller, D.M.

Last updated 7/2024

English

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What you'll learn

Master the first semester of college music theory
Notate different types of rhythms
Understand functions of notes within the major and minor scales
Understand diatonic chord functions
Correctly resolve dominant 7th chords to tonic
Realize figured bass lines
Harmonize a precomposed melody

Course content

4 sections • 29 lectures • 1h 55m total length

Introduction0:30

Interval Review3:44
A review of reading intervals with guidance on ways to read them faster.
Interval Review
Metric and Intrametric Rhythmic Notation3:38
This lesson shows some rhythmic notation guidelines and how to beam various beat subdivisions.
Metric and Intrametric Rhythm
Notating Syncopations4:50
Sometimes ties are needed to notate rhythms that cross the beats
Syncopation
Lead Sheet Symbols4:15
Learn lead sheet symbols for triads, including major, minor, diminished, and augmented notation, with guidance on consistent symbols, slash inversion notation, and omission practices.
Roman Numerals Review3:38
Review roman numeral analysis to identify scale degree, chord quality, and inversion, including diminished triads and first inversion in the key of G major.
Roman Numeral Analysis3:12
Put all the tools learned so far to use by analyzing a Bach excerpt.
Roman Numeral Analysis
Contrapuntal Motions1:20
Learn the terms for vertical motions created by two notes
Contrapuntal Motions

Harmonic Rhythm2:46
Phrase Rhythm5:00
Explore how phrases end with cadences shaped by rhythm, pitch, and harmony, not harmony alone. Understand how rhythmic emphasis and metric accents—strong or weak beats—create a sense of completion.
Melodic Tendencies3:22
Explore how melodies and harmonies orbit scale-degree functions in the major scale, focusing on leading tone to tonic, fourth to third, and lowered sixth to fifth within the tonic triad.
Cadence Names3:57
Analyze how cadences are named by examining harmony before and at resting point, noting leading tones and tonic triads to distinguish authentic, perfect, imperfect, deceptive, playgirl, and half cadences.
Consonant and Dissonant Intervals3:44
Overtones4:22
Functional Tendencies6:20
Learn how tendency notes shape chord progressions and functions within a scale.
Functional Tendencies

Choral Harmonization1:21
Learn chorale harmonization by writing independent lines in four parts. Apply the rules of four-part writing to composition, analysis, and performance, with hymns as a Christian tradition example.
Chorale Harmonization Rules Part 13:54
This lesson introduces many of the rules of chorale (4 part) harmonization: ranges, spacing, voice crossings, overlaps, and intervals to avoid.
Chorale Harmonization Rules Part 24:22
This lesson continues teaching the rules of chorale harmonization: parallel octaves and 5ths, hidden octaves and 5ths
Chorale Harmoization Rules Quiz
Triad Doublings2:45
When notating triads using 4 voices a note must be doubled. This lesson explains the preferred doublings for different chord inversions.
Triad Doublings
Root Position Circle Progression Writing4:08
Explore safe harmonization of root-position chords in the circle of fifths, using common tones, moving voices by step, leading-tone resolution, and voice exchanges.
Other Root Position Progressions1:26
Learn root position chord progressions by thirds and seconds, preserve common tones, and move voices by step or in contrary motion to avoid parallels and write progressions safely.
Harmonizing a Melody Using Root Position Triads6:23
We learn the process of choosing chords to accompany a melody, and are then used to write in a 4 part setting.
Dominant 7th Resolutions5:55
Now its time to apply the lessons of tendency notes to the strongest progression in tonal music, the dominant 7th to tonic resolution.
Dominant 7th Resolution
Root Position Figured Bass Realization4:40
Put all the skills learned to the test by writing music from a single figured bass line.
1st Inversion Triads10:21
Composing with 1st Inversion Triads
2nd Inversion Triads2:44
Minor Considerations3:01
Looking at some of the differences to consider when writing in a minor key
Minor Considerations
Resolving the Leading-tone Chord4:17
Breaking Function5:53

Requirements

Know the concepts taught in Music Theory Foundations
Be able to read music notation
Have a pdf reader

Description

Music Theory I is designed for any person interested in learning the basics of western music theory and chorale harmonization. It is specifically tailored to students in a college or university setting in the United States, but it is perfect for anyone simply looking to learn, or improve their understanding of, music theory.

What are the lessons like?

Lessons are presented in short, information-dense modules with many quizzes and downloadable worksheets accompanying them. Each video is written and constructed to be as concise as possible so that no time is wasted. Don't be fooled by other courses that have longer hour counts. The lessons are scripted and structured to build on each other making the flow seamless and easy to understand.

Who teaches the course?

Dr. Max Keller is currently an Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Andrews University.

Who should take this course?

Anyone who took the previous course, “Music Theory Foundations”
College or university students taking the first year of music theory
Anyone who can read music a little and wants to understand more about music theory
A producer or composer that is looking to improve their craft

Who this course is for:

This is a college level course. It is meant for students who already know how to read sheet music and understand basic music theory including: treble and bass clefs, intervals, triads, major and minor scales, and key signatures.
If any of these areas are unknown or are perhaps weak then students are highly encouraged to take my course entitled “Music Theory Foundations” which was created to help absolute beginning students prepare for Music Theory I.

Music Theory I: A College Companion Course

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 1min

Notation and Symbols7 lectures • 25min

Harmonic Rhythm and Scale Tendencies7 lectures • 30min

Figued Bass and Chorale Harmonization14 lectures • 1hr 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: