Music Theory

Beginning Music Theory ( ages 9-18)  The Beginning Music Theory class is an introductory class into the written musical language. Students will learn to read notes in the treble and bass clefs, the concept of the grand staff, basic rhythms and how they are notated, simple time signatures, introduction to the major scale and major key signatures, and accompanying concepts such as basic intervals, dynamics, and more. No previous experience or knowledge with music theory is expected. Students can take our music theory test at the open house to see which level they should attend.

*Intermediate Music Theory ( ages 9-18)   The Intermediate Music Theory class continues from where the Beginning Music Theory class ends. Topics include reading notes with ledger lines, the circle of 5ths and all keys for major scales, introduction and practice using minor scales (relative vs parallel, the three forms of the minor), simple qualities of intervals, understanding of the basic triads (I, IV and V chords), more complex rhythms, compound meters, as well as music vocabulary and more. Students will learn to read and write well, and by the end of the year will have a clear understanding of the structure of most music they will encounter. This is a year-long curriculum, and many students benefit from repeating the class a second year. Students should take our music theory test at the open house to see which level they should attend.

*Advanced Music Theory ( ages 11-18)    The Advanced Music Theory class takes the music theory foundations and explores the more interesting variations and implementations. This class has much more emphasis on harmonies and how they are manipulated and notated, construction of good melody lines, transposition, and a great deal of ear training. This course follows a curriculum as is appropriate to the current class of students, so is not always the exact same course year to year. At the completion of this course students should be able to complete college theory entrance exams.

*Requires a placement test if the student has not take a theory class before.