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    • Music Theory

    Music Theory Courses Online

    Learn music theory for a deeper understanding of music. Study scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony.

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    Explore the Music Theory Course Catalog

    • Status: Free
      Free
      T

      The University of Edinburgh

      Fundamentals of Music Theory

      Skills you'll gain: Music Theory, Music, Classical Music, Musical Composition

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.8K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • M

      Michigan State University

      Getting Started With Music Theory

      Skills you'll gain: Music Theory, Music, Musical Composition, Classical Music

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      754 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • B

      Berklee

      Developing Your Musicianship

      Skills you'll gain: Musical Composition, Music Theory, Peer Review, Music, Music Performance, Instrumental Music, Creativity

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.6K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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    • Status: Free
      Free
      C

      California Institute of the Arts

      Approaching Music Theory: Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony

      Skills you'll gain: Music Theory, Music, Musical Composition, Classical Music, Music History, Instrumental Music, Music Performance, World Music

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      165 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • B

      Berklee

      Music Production

      Skills you'll gain: Music, Musical Composition, Post-Production, Peer Review, Media Production, Active Listening, Music Performance, Constructive Feedback, Performing Arts, Editing, Instrumental Music, Music Theory, Timelines, Creativity, File Management, Self-Awareness

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    What brings you to Coursera today?

    • B

      Berklee

      Piano Techniques for Modern Music

      Skills you'll gain: Music Theory, Music, Musical Composition, Instrumental Music, Music Performance, Creativity

      5
      Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      22 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      Y

      Yale University

      Introduction to Classical Music

      Skills you'll gain: Classical Music, Music History, Music, Music Theory, Instrumental Music, Musical Composition, Art History

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      4K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • B

      Berklee

      How to Play Guitar

      Skills you'll gain: Music Theory, Music, Music Performance, Instrumental Music, Performing Arts, Musical Composition, Creativity

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.6K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • B

      Berklee

      Electronic Music Production

      Skills you'll gain: Musical Composition, File Management, Music Performance, Music, Media Production, Music Theory, Instrumental Music, Performing Arts, Creativity, Peer Review, Automation, Electronic Media, Design Software, Editing, Patch Management, Software Installation, System Requirements

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.3K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • B

      Berklee

      Music Education for Teachers

      Skills you'll gain: Music, Musical Composition, Music Theory, Education Software and Technology, Peer Review, Instrumental Music, Music Performance, Active Listening, World Music, Constructive Feedback, Cultural Responsiveness, Oral Expression, Cultural Diversity, Post-Production, Media Production, Empowerment, Collaboration, Self-Awareness, Storytelling, Creativity

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.9K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • B

      Berklee

      Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music

      Skills you'll gain: File Management, Music Theory, Musical Composition, Music, Peer Review, Instrumental Music, Storytelling, Music Performance, Creativity, Performing Arts, Automation, Writing, Editing, Software Installation

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.1K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • B

      Berklee

      The DIY Musician

      Skills you'll gain: Music, Fundraising and Crowdsourcing, Musical Composition, Brand Awareness, Music Theory, Peer Review, Brand Strategy, Professional Networking, Social Media, Branding, Active Listening, Music Performance, Production Planning, Team Leadership, Constructive Feedback, Leadership, Campaign Management, Creativity, Instrumental Music, Media Production

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.5K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    What brings you to Coursera today?

      Music Theory learners also search

      Music
      Music Business
      Music Technology
      Music History
      Classical Music
      Music Production
      Piano Theory
      Media
      1234…141

      In summary, here are 10 of our most popular music theory courses

      • Fundamentals of Music Theory: The University of Edinburgh
      • Getting Started With Music Theory: Michigan State University
      • Developing Your Musicianship: Berklee
      • Approaching Music Theory: Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony: California Institute of the Arts
      • Music Production: Berklee
      • Piano Techniques for Modern Music: Berklee
      • Introduction to Classical Music: Yale University
      • How to Play Guitar: Berklee
      • Electronic Music Production: Berklee
      • Music Education for Teachers: Berklee

      Frequently Asked Questions about Music Theory

      Understanding why you want to learn music theory, whether to improve your musical skills, compose music, or understand music better, will keep you motivated. Regular practice, including listening and analyzing music, can help solidify concepts. Join online communities like music forums or local groups for support and insight. Work on real projects such as composing or analyzing pieces of music. A great starting point is Fundamentals of Music Theory by The University of Edinburgh on Coursera.‎

      Coursera has some great free music theory courses, such as Edinburgh Music Theory, Audio Signal Processing and The Music and Life of Beethoven. These online classes can help you deepen your understanding of music theory, audio technology and Beethoven's rich musical legacy.‎

      If you are new to music theory, Berklee's Musicianship Specialization is the perfect place to start. It offers courses such as Music Theory, Play Guitar, Piano Techniques for Modern Music, and Guitar Theory that can help you get a great foundation in music theory and unlock your musical potential.‎

      For those looking to learn more advanced music theory, Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony, Piano Scales for Modern Music, Beethoven's Piano Sonatas, The Blues and Jazz Improvisation courses are excellent resources to expand your musical knowledge!‎

      Music theory is the set of rules that govern how to create and communicate music. You can think of music theory as the equivalent of grammar when it comes to language. The fundamentals of melody, rhythm, and harmony are the main elements of music theory. Many of the skills you need to play an instrument or sing are part of music theory as well—elements like notes, chords, scales, keys, and tempo. Music theory also explains the qualities that make a song or piece of music good, such as pitch, tone, dynamics, and timbre.‎

      A knowledge of music theory can help you become a better singer, musician, songwriter, or performer. It’s true that you can write a quality song or compose a compelling piece of music with no understanding of music theory whatsoever, but knowing the logic behind good music helps you to create works listeners will enjoy. Music theory isn’t a set of hard and fast rules you must obey every time, but it helps you communicate and connect better with the music that you create. Understanding music theory also makes it easier to conquer more complex musical forms and styles.‎

      If you’re a professional musician or aspire to be one, having a knowledge of music theory can help you play pieces and sing songs better. You’ll also compose better songs or works when you understand how music theory works. Music theory also comes in handy if you’re teaching music because you can impart your knowledge to your students and help them succeed. Even if you don’t play music professionally, you can benefit from knowing music theory because it helps you think strategically, and making music for fun spurs your creativity as well, both of which can enhance any career you have.‎

      Music theory is a broad discipline, but online courses on Coursera can help you learn it with the flexibility that fits your lifestyle. You’ll have access to information that can help you gain a foothold in the concepts and rules that govern music theory, and you’ll also have the opportunity to discover practical applications that can help you compose and perform music more effectively. As a professional musician looking to take your career to the next level or a living room performer who wants to hone your skills, online courses on Coursera provide resources that can help you attain the knowledge you need to make music with greater confidence.‎

      Online Music Theory courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Music Theory skills. Choose from a wide range of Music Theory courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

      When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Music Theory, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

      This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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