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Music Theory 201: Harmony and Function

Author: Paul Schmeling
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Continuing on from the concepts presented in Music Theory 101, this course will further develop your background in music theory and provide you with the foundational knowledge you'll need to be a more effective writer and player. You'll master the fundamental concepts of rhythm and harmony - and learn more complex chords, progressions, and rhythms that will open up your understanding of the elements that together contribute to put the groove in jazz, pop, blues, and rock. You'll study topics including rhythmic anticipations and related notation issues; articulation markings; diatonic triads and seventh chords in both major and harmonic minor; harmonic function; the II V I chord progression; some additional chord types; melodic and harmonic tension; and the blues form and style. You'll understand why chords move from one to another the way they do; and learn to better analyze and write harmonic progressions and different rhythmic styles. Through ear training exercises, musical examples, and personalized feedback from your instructor, you'll be able to analyze, read, write, and listen more effectively ­ as well as understand the fundamental knowledge essential to the beginning studies of harmony.

By the end of this course, you will:

  • Understand rhythmic anticipation and articulations
  • Understand diatonic triads and seventh chords in major and harmonic minor
  • Understand the II V I chord progression
  • Understand the melodic and harmonic use of tensions
  • Understand the blues form and style

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Online Summer Term Starts June 25th

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Course Info

For-credit tuition: $1,400
Non-credit tuition: $1,200
Add 6 CEUs: $25.00
Credits: 3
Duration: 12 weeks
Catalog #: BME-201
 

Course Faculty Down arrow

Paul Schmeling
Paul Schmeling Master pianist, interpreter, improviser and arranger, recently retired as chair of Berklee's piano department.
Debbie Cavalier
Debbie Cavalier Dean of Continuing Education at Berklee College of Music.
Russell Hoffmann
Russell Hoffmann Assistant Professor of Piano at Berklee and the author of workbooks on keyboard comping, ensemble performance.
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Paul Schmeling
Paul Schmeling Master pianist, interpreter, improviser and arranger, recently retired as chair of Berklee's piano department.
Debbie Cavalier
Debbie Cavalier Dean of Continuing Education at Berklee College of Music.
Russell Hoffmann
Russell Hoffmann Assistant Professor of Piano at Berklee and the author of workbooks on keyboard comping, ensemble performance.
Alizon Lissance
Alizon Lissance An assistant professor in Berklee's Harmony department.
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Course Preview Down arrow

If you've heard terminology like tonic, subdominant and dominant, but were never sure exactly what it means, Paul Schmeling is here to help. Musicians and songwriters who take his online course, Music Theory 201 will gain a thorough understanding of more intricate music theory concepts, from rhythmic anticipation to tension notes. Read more
 

Student Comments Down arrow

“It was the most user-friendly music theory I have encountered, The class was informative, yet it was still very easy to fit into my schedule.” - R. Boich
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