Introductory Music Theory Course

Berklee College of Music

Course Description

Welcome to the exciting world of music theory! This introductory course, offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, is designed to unlock the mysteries of music for passionate enthusiasts, self-taught musicians, and curious beginners alike. Led by esteemed professor George W. Russell, Jr., and featuring insights from Berklee students, this six-lesson journey will transform your understanding of music, enabling you to grasp fundamental concepts and ignite your creativity. Whether you're looking to formalize your musical knowledge or simply explore the inner workings of melodies and harmonies, this course promises to be an enlightening and joyful experience.

What You'll Learn

  • Construction of major and minor scales
  • Identification, analysis, and singing of intervals
  • Recognizing the tonal center of a song
  • Building basic major, minor, and dominant seventh chords
  • Creating common chord progressions, focusing on the I IV V progression
  • Understanding and recognizing blues and AABA song forms
  • Developing ear training skills
  • Exploring pentatonic scales and their applications
  • Grasping different time signatures and song structures
  • Composing simple blues riffs using the minor pentatonic scale

Prerequisites

While the ability to play an instrument is helpful, it's not a requirement for this course. The essential prerequisites are:

  • A passion for music
  • A strong interest in developing your understanding of music theory
  • Willingness to learn and explore new concepts
  • Basic familiarity with musical terms (though not mandatory)

Course Content

  • Major and minor scale construction
  • Interval recognition and analysis
  • Tonal center identification
  • Chord building (major, minor, and seventh chords)
  • Common chord progressions
  • Song forms (blues and AABA)
  • Ear training exercises
  • Pentatonic scales
  • Time signatures (4/4 and 3/4)
  • Chord voicings
  • Reading chord sheets
  • Basic composition techniques

Who This Course Is For

  • Music enthusiasts with no formal training
  • Self-taught musicians looking to fill gaps in their knowledge
  • Beginners who want to start their musical journey on the right foot
  • Anyone interested in understanding the theoretical foundations of music
  • Aspiring songwriters and composers
  • Individuals considering further music education

Real-World Applications

  • Improved ability to analyze and appreciate music across various genres
  • Enhanced musical communication with other musicians
  • Better understanding of song structure for more effective songwriting
  • Increased confidence in improvisation and jamming sessions
  • Stronger foundation for further musical studies or instrument learning
  • Ability to transcribe and notate music more accurately
  • Enhanced critical listening skills for music production or appreciation
  • Improved skills for arranging and composing original music

Syllabus

Lesson 1: Major Scale

  • Defining Harmony, Ear Training, and Intervals
  • Constructing and Singing the Major Scale
  • Major 2nd and Major 3rd Intervals
  • Finding the Tonal Center

Lesson 2: Major and Minor Triads

  • Review from Lesson 1
  • Perfect 4th and Perfect 5th Intervals
  • Building Major and Minor Triads
  • The I IV V Chord Progression

Lesson 3: Pentatonic Scale

  • Review from Lesson 2
  • Major 6th and Major 7th Intervals
  • Building and Singing the Minor Pentatonic Scale

Lesson 4: Major and Dominant Seventh Chords

  • Review from Lesson 3
  • Building Major and Dominant Seventh Chords
  • Blues Progression

Lesson 5: Song Form

  • Review from Lesson 4
  • 7-3-5 Chord Voicings
  • 4/4 and 3/4 Time Signatures
  • Blues and AABA Song Forms
  • Chord Sheets

Lesson 6: Review

  • Review of All Material
  • Composing a Blues Riff Tune Using the Minor Pentatonic Scale