Music Theory Comprehensive Complete! (Parts 1, 2, & 3) Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This comprehensive music theory course is designed for beginners and progresses through essential to advanced concepts, providing a thorough grounding in notation, harmony, rhythm, and practical application. With over 6 hours of structured content, students will engage in a step-by-step journey covering pitch, scales, intervals, rhythm, chords, harmonic function, and advanced techniques. The curriculum integrates visual learning, written exercises, and ear training to build fluency for composition, arrangement, and improvisation. Estimated total time: 6.5 hours.
Module 1: Notation & Pitch Fundamentals
Estimated time: 0.75 hours
- The staff and clefs
- Note values and naming pitches
- Ledger lines and octave transpositions
- Accidentals and their effects on pitch
Module 2: Scales, Keys & Modes
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Major and natural minor scales
- Relative and parallel minors
- Church modes (Ionian through Locrian)
- Modal characteristics and tonal colors
Module 3: Intervals & Ear Training
Estimated time: 0.75 hours
- Interval identification
- Interval quality: major, minor, perfect, augmented, diminished
- Melodic interval ear training
- Harmonic interval recognition exercises
Module 4: Rhythm, Meter & Subdivision
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Simple, compound, and mixed meters
- Syncopation and ties
- Dotted rhythms and subdivision
- Tuplets and rhythmic precision
Module 5: Chord Construction & Harmony
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Triads and seventh chords
- Extended tertian harmony: 9ths, 11ths, 13ths
- Chord inversions and symbols
- Four-part chorale style and voice leading rules
Module 6: Chord Progressions & Functional Harmony
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Diatonic progressions: I–IV–V, ii–V–I
- Secondary dominants
- Modulation techniques
- Pivot-chord transitions
Module 7: Advanced Topics & Application
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Modal interchange and borrowed chords
- Chromatic harmony
- Applying theory to songwriting
- Arrangement and improvisation frameworks
Prerequisites
- Basic familiarity with musical concepts (helpful but not required)
- Access to a keyboard or staff paper for practice
- Willingness to engage in self-directed study and review
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Read and write standard musical notation with confidence
- Understand and construct scales, modes, and key signatures
- Analyze chord construction and harmonic function
- Apply music theory to composition, arrangement, and improvisation
- Recognize and utilize advanced harmonic concepts such as modulation and chromaticism