Essentials of Music Theory
A fun way to learn the basics of reading music.
Essentials of Music Theory
Learn to Understand the Language of Music
-
In each lesson you will learn the practice of music reading and writing skills through exercises
-
Improve your listening skills with the ear-training exercises
-
Each lesson includes exercises and quizzes to test your knowledge.
-
No Experience Necessary
Music Theory Lessons - Online
Learn to Speak and Understand the Language of Music via Zoom
Want to read sheet music with confidence, understand chord structures, or deeply connect with the music you love? Our comprehensive music theory lessons unlock the inner workings of music, transforming how you practice, perform, and listen.
Taught live in an engaging, interactive online format via Zoom, this course is designed to make learning music theory accessible, structured, and entirely stress-free from the comfort of your home.
Suitable for Home School Programs.
Flexible Learning Options
Choose the path that best fits your musical goals:
-
The Standalone Course: Ideal for singers, piano students, instrumentalists, songwriters, or anyone looking to master music theory from the ground up.
-
The Piano Lesson Add-On: The ultimate companion to your regular piano lessons. Speed up your learning curve by mastering theory alongside your practical playing.
Suitable for Home School Programs.
Who is This Course For?
-
Absolute Beginners: No prior experience is necessary. We start from the absolute basics, like learning to read the staff and simple rhythms.
-
Adult Hobbyists & Kids: Tailored to meet your specific pacing, ensuring a fun, encouraging learning environment.
-
Aspiring Creators: Ideal for anyone wanting to understand chord progressions and structure their own musical ideas.
Suitable for Home School Programs.
Our Core Curriculum
We proudly guide students through the Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory (Complete Edition) framework—the industry-standard curriculum used by top music institutions worldwide.
To bring the material to life online, we integrate exclusive resources from the Alfred Teacher’s Activity Kit, featuring interactive exercises, rhythmic games, and comprehensive tests that correlate perfectly with the main textbook.
-
Practical Reading & Writing: In each online session, you will master the exact mechanics of reading and writing musical notation through active, hands-on digital exercises.
-
Ear Training Integration: Music is meant to be heard! You will participate in specialized live listening drills to naturally connect the notes on your screen to the sounds you hear.
-
Milestone Reviews & Tests: Using targeted activities and assessments from the Teacher's Kit, we regularly check your understanding to celebrate your progress and ensure a rock-solid foundation.
-
See Program Details Below
Suitable for Home School Programs.
Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory
Learn to Understand the Language of Music
-
In each lesson you will learn the practice of music reading and writing skills through exercises
-
Improve your listening skills with the ear-training exercises
-
Each lesson includes exercises and quizzes to test your knowledge.
-
No Experience Necessary
Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory
A fun way to learn the basics of reading music.
LEVEL 1 (Lessons 1-25): Staff, Notes and Pitches * Treble & Bass Clefs * Grand Staff & Ledger Lines * Note Values * Measure, Bar Line and Double Bar * 2/4, 3/4 & 4/4 Time Signatures * Whole, Half & Quarter Notes/Rests * Dotted Half & Quarter Notes * Ties & Slurs * Repeat Sign, 1st & 2nd Endings * Eighth Notes & Rests * Dynamic Signs, Tempo Marks & Articulation * D.C., D.S., Coda & Fine * Flats, Sharps & Naturals * Whole & Half Step, Enharmonic Notes.
LEVEL 2 (Lessons 25-50): Tetrachords & Major Scales * Key Signatures * Chromatic Scale * Intervals, Circle of Fifths * Perfect, Major & Minor Intervals * Augmented & Diminished Intervals * Solfège & Transposition * Sixteenth Notes & Rests * Dotted Eighth Notes & Eighth Note Triplets * Common Time & Cut Time * 3/8 & 6/8 Time Signatures * Pick-up Notes & Syncopation * Primary & Major Triads * Scale Degree Names * Dominant 7th Chord.
LEVEL 3 (Lessons 51-75): 1st & 2nd Inversions of Triads * Inversions of V7 Chords * Figured Bass * Major Chord Progressions * Minor Scales, Minor Triads * Augmented & Diminished Triads * Primary Triads in Minor Keys * Minor Chord Progressions * Modes * Harmonizing a Melody in Major and Minor Keys * Broken Chords & Arpeggiated Accompaniments * Passing and Neighboring Tones * Composing a Melody in Major and Minor Keys * 12-Bar Blues Chord Progression & Blues Scale * Basic Forms of Music.
