This was exactly what I was looking for. The explanations were so clear and the examples really helped solidify the concepts.
Music Theory Fundamentals: Read, Write, and Analyze Music
Learn to read Western music notation, understand rhythm and harmony, and write your own melodies with this guide for aspiring musicians and songwriters.
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About this course
Course contents
6 modules · 32 lessons · 3h
1
Foundations and Notation
Learn to read notes on the staff and understand basic symbols.
- What is Music Theory?
Theory is the language that describes how music works.5 min - The Staff and Pitch
Notes move vertically to indicate how high or low a sound is.5 min - The Treble Clef
Read notes in the mid-high register starting from G.6 min - The Bass Clef
Read notes in the low register starting from F.6 min - Accidentals: Sharps and Flats
Modify the pitch of a note by a semitone.5 min - Tones and Semitones
The minimum distance between keys and how to measure musical space.5 min
2
Rhythm and Meter
Master the temporal dimension of music.
- Note Values
The shape of the note determines how long the sound should last.6 min - Silence: Rests
Every sound duration has a corresponding silence symbol.5 min - Measures and Meter
Organize time into regular containers called measures.6 min - Simple Time Signatures (4/4, 3/4, 2/4)
Understand rhythms based on binary subdivision.6 min - Compound Time Signatures (6/8, 9/8)
Explore the ternary feel and subdivision into three.6 min - Ties and Dotted Notes
Extend note duration beyond the limits of the measure.5 min
3
Scales and Key Signatures
Understand how keys are constructed.
- The Major Scale
The structure of tones and semitones that defines the 'happy' sound.6 min - The Circle of Fifths
A visual map to understand the relationship between different keys.6 min - Sharp Key Signatures
Identify the key by looking at the sharps at the beginning of the staff.6 min - Flat Key Signatures
Identify the key by looking at the flats at the beginning of the staff.6 min - The Natural Minor Scale
The structure that defines the melancholic character of music.5 min - Harmonic and Melodic Minor
Why and how we alter the minor scale for musical purposes.5 min
4
Intervals and Chords
Build harmony starting from the relationship between two or more notes.
- Introduction to Intervals
Measure the numerical distance between two notes.5 min - Interval Qualities
Distinguish between major, minor, and perfect intervals.6 min - Building Triads
The basic chord formed by three notes stacked in thirds.5 min - Major and Minor Triads
The color of chords and how to recognize them by ear and on paper.5 min - Inversions
Change the order of notes in a chord for better fluidity.5 min - Seventh Chords
Add a fourth note to create tension and jazziness.6 min
5
Harmony and Structure
Analyze how musical pieces are constructed and connected.
- Scale Degrees and Functions
Every note of the scale has a role (Tonic, Subdominant, Dominant).6 min - Harmonic Progressions
Why certain chords sound good one after another.6 min - Cadences
Musical punctuation that indicates rest or suspension.6 min - Phrases and Periods
How to combine notes into meaningful 'phrases'.5 min - Musical Forms (A-B, ABA)
The macroscopic structure of a musical piece.5 min
6
Modern Theory and Application
Bring theory into the world of digital production and songwriting.
- Theory in the Digital Workflow
Use MIDI and the Piano Roll by applying theoretical rules.6 min - Writing an Effective Melody
Combining intervals and rhythm to create a memorable theme.7 min - Analysis of a Modern Hit
Dissecting a contemporary pop song using the tools from the course.7 min
Your First Musical Project
Create an original 8-16 bar composition including a melody written in treble clef, a chord accompaniment in bass clef, and a defined harmonic progression.
What you'll get
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Certificate of completion
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Short & focused
3h of practical content
Certificate of completion
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Reviews (7)
Overall a good learning experience. The structure made sense, and the examples were relevant, though I felt some topics could have been explored more thoroughly.
It's a good course if you have some prior knowledge. For absolute beginners, some concepts might be a bit challenging. The structure is logical, though.
Found it useful for a refresher. Not sure it would be the best starting point for a complete beginner, tbh.
This was a brilliant way to learn! The structure was logical, the pace was spot on, and the examples were super helpful. Highly recommend!
Informative and well-organized. I appreciated the effort put into the examples. I'd say it's a good intermediate-level course.
It's a decent course. The structure is okay, but I found some of the explanations a little vague. Useful for a general overview, though.
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Frequently asked
What do I need to take this course? +
Just a phone or computer with internet. No installs, no special hardware.
How do I pay? +
By card via Stripe. We don’t store card details — Stripe handles them securely.
Can I get a refund? +
Yes — full refund within 14 days, no questions asked.
How long will I have access? +
Forever. Once you purchase, the course is yours to revisit anytime.
Will I get a certificate? +
Yes. On completion you'll receive a certificate you can add to your LinkedIn profile.
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