The Rudiments of Music Theory

This practical and accessible guide to the basic principles of music takes you from point zero to a solid understanding of the elements of music and how they work.

The course is for everybody. Students do not need to read music (although they will learn) or play an instrument (although they may be inspired to take one up). Those who are learning to play an instrument or sing in an ensemble will find the course particularly useful.

Students with limited exposure to music theory will gain additional understanding of the basics and quickly find themselves challenged with new insights.

Although we teach the nuts and bolts, our approach is to provide more in-depth understanding—the why’s and not just the whats. We look closely at mathematical relationships and symmetry in music. We measure distances and chart paths from one musical element to another. Students will find a roadmap to understanding keys and harmonies and acquire a solid foundation for further study.

Module 1The Major Scale
Unit 1Welcome
Unit 2Author's Introduction
Unit 3Overview
Unit 4Resources
Unit 5Module 1 Video  - Preview
Unit 6Terms
Unit 7Module 1 Exercises
Unit 8Module 1 Quiz
Unit 9Additional Listening Exercises 1
Unit 10Sight-Singing 1
Module 2The Power of Tonic
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 2 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 2 Exercise
Unit 5Module 2 Quiz
Unit 6Additional Listening Exercises 2
Unit 7Sight-Singing 2
Module 3Pitch Notation
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 3 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 3 Exercises
Unit 5Module 3 Quiz
Unit 6Additional Listening Exercises 3
Unit 7Sight-Singing 3
Module 4Moving Tonic
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 4 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 4 Exercises
Unit 5Module 4 Quiz
Unit 6Additional Listening Exercises 4
Unit 7Sight-Singing 4
Unit 8Progress Survey
Module 5The Sharp Keys
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 5 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 5 Exercises
Unit 5Module 5 Quiz
Unit 6Additional Listening Exercises 5
Unit 7Sight-Singing 5
Module 6The Flat Keys
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 6 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 6 Exercises
Unit 5Module 6 Quiz
Unit 6Additional Listening Exercises 6
Unit 7Sight-Singing 6
Module 7Key Relationships: The Circle of Fifths
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 7 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 7 Exercises
Unit 5Module 7 Quiz
Unit 6Additional Listening Exercises 7
Unit 7Sight-Singing 7
Module 8The Harmonic Series
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 8 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 8 Exercises
Unit 5Module 8 Quiz
Unit 6Sight-Singing 8
Module 9Rhythm and Meter
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 9 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 9 Exercises
Unit 5Module 9 Quiz
Unit 6Sight-Singing 9
Module 10Metrical Notation
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 10 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 10 Exercises
Unit 5Module 10 Quiz
Unit 6Sight-Singing 10
Module 11Intervals and Their Inversions
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 11 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 11 Exercises
Unit 5Module 11 Quiz
Unit 6Additional Listening Exercises 11
Unit 7Sight-Singing 11
Module 12Building Diatonic Triads
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 12 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 12 Exercises
Unit 5Module 12 Quiz
Unit 6Additional Listening Exercises 12
Unit 7Sight-Singing 12
Module 13Progressions and Cadences
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 13 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 13 Exercises
Unit 5Module 13 Quiz
Unit 6Sight-Singing 13
Module 14Progressions with Secondary Triads
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 14 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 14 Exercises
Unit 5Module 14 Quiz
Unit 6Sight-Singing 14
Module 15Minor Keys
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 15 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 15 Exercises
Unit 5Module 15 Quiz
Unit 6Sight-Singing 15
Module 16Chord Progressions in Minor
Unit 1Overview
Unit 2Module 16 Video
Unit 3Terms
Unit 4Module 16 Exercises
Unit 5Module 16 Quiz
Unit 6Sight-Singing 16