Music Theory Class for Adults: Grades 1-2
10:30 am - 12:30 pm Mondays, 17 February - 6 April 2020 (8 weeks), Leichhardt

Explore the basics of music theory: how the elements of music work together to produce the music we hear. For adults who are learning to sing or play a musical instrument, or experienced musicians to refresh their knowledge.
Early Bird Discount: $425, enrol by 10 January 2020
Price after 10 January: $465
Contact Susan if you would prefer to pay by another method.
Enrolments close 5 February 2020.
Course Outline
Week 1
- The Elements of Music
- Pitch and Music Notation
- Treble and bass clef
- Names of notes, leger lines
- Sharps, flats and naturals
Week 2
- Scales and Keys
- Naming intervals by number
- Major scales and key signatures
- The Cycle of Fifths
- Rhythm
- Tempo
- Time signatures
Week 3
- Minor Scales and Keys
- Scale degree numbers
- Natural minor, harmonic minor and melodic minor scales
- Simple and Compound Time Signatures
- Dividing the beat
Week 4
- Chords
- Introduction to harmony
- The Tonic triad
- More about rhythm
- Triplets
- Anacrusis
- Ties and slurs
Week 5
- More about chords
- Scale degree names
- Primary chords: tonic, subdominant and dominant
- Labelling chords: pop music chord symbols
- Beginning composition
- Composing a rhythm to words
Week 6
- Modulations (key changes)
- Modulating to the dominant, subdominant and relative minor
- Number and quality of intervals
- Naming intervals
Week 7
- Transposition
- Dynamics, articulation, phrasing and expression
- Expression terms
Week 8
- Revision
- Past paper
About Susan Deas
Susan Deas is a professional musician, lecturer and teacher. She has been teaching piano and music theory for over twenty years, and is accredited in both Piano and Musicianship. Her training includes a Bachelor of Music with a major in Performance (Piano) and Musicology, a Master of Music Studies (Studio Pedagogy), a Bachelor of Arts (Communications), and an A.Mus.A in Musicianship. Susan also lectures in music theory and music appreciation for Sydney University’s Centre for Continuing Education, WEA Sydney and at other venues. She performs professionally as a pianist and organist, as well as giving professional development workshops and lessons to private music teachers. Susan is on the Council of the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW.
More about Susan's qualifications
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