Music Theory Class for Adults: Grades 1-2

Online, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm Mondays, 3 August - 21 September 2020 (8 weeks)

This intensive 8-week course introduces the basics of music theory: how the elements of music combine to create the music we love. We cover Grades 1 and 2 of AMEB Musicianship, with extra material showing how the theory applies to both classical and contemporary music. Learn the secrets of music, and how to apply them. For adults who are learning to sing or play a musical instrument, or experienced musicians wanting to refresh their skills.

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

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Related Courses

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grades 1-2 (you are here)

Comments

“The course has been wonderful, I even started to love Mondays. It has really broken down and made sense out of the bits and pieces I couldn’t wrap my brain around, but now can. I think that this course has set the foundations for my long-life education in music” - Sara, Ashfield

“The course was splendid. It was comprehensive; really challenging but enjoyable in content for me who'd not done musicianship. Your preparation is exemplary! Examples you've accumulated and their appropriateness is just super. Your knowledge is fantastic too!”

“I have never studied music before and was always frustrated that I didn’t understand “the language.” This course was great for me because it has commenced my understanding (I know that there is a vast amount that I don’t understand, but it’s a start!) The repetition of revision questions each week was particularly valuable for me as I started to feel more familiar with terms and concepts”

“I really appreciated your approach. You were very supportive of someone who knew virtually nothing about musicianship. Each week added to the jigsaw puzzle to make terms and the overall pattern clearer to me. Thank you so much for this opportunity”

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.

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