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Music Theory Class: Foundations to Application I
Curriculum
20 Sections
90 Lessons
10 Weeks
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Module 1 Introduction to music theory
6
1.1
What is music theory?
1.2
The musical alphabet (A–G)
1.3
Half steps and whole steps
1.4
Understand the concept of pitch and direction (up/down)
1.5
Activities: Label notes on a keyboard, Sing or play the musical alphabet
1.6
Worksheet: Note naming
Module 2 Pitch and the Staff
6
2.1
Treble & bass clef
2.2
Ledger lines
2.3
Lines and spaces (Every Good Boy…, FACE, etc.)
2.4
Sight-reading intro
2.5
What is pitch and how does it relate to note placement
2.6
Activities: Identify notes on staff, Flashcard quiz
Module 3 Rhythm and Time
4
3.1
Note values and rests (whole, half, quarter, etc.)
3.2
Time signatures (4/4, 3/4, 6/8)
3.3
Beat and tempo
3.4
Activities: Clap rhythms, Build your own rhythm patterns
Module 4 Scales and Key Signatures
5
4.1
What is a scale
4.2
Major scales (W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern)
4.3
Circle of Fifths (intro)
4.4
Key signatures (up to 3 sharps/flats)
4.5
Activities: Build major scales, Identify key signatures
Module 5 Intervals and Harmonies
5
5.1
What are intervals?
5.2
Naming and identifying intervals (2nds–octaves)
5.3
Melodic vs. harmonic intervals
5.4
Ear training intro
5.5
Activities: Interval matching game, Interval worksheet
Module 6 Chords and Progressions
5
6.1
What is a chord
6.2
Triads: major, minor, diminished, augmented
6.3
Chord symbols
6.4
Basic chord progressions (I-IV-V-I)
6.5
Activities: Build chords from scales, Play chord progressions on piano/guitar
Module 7 Rhythm and Meter
4
7.1
Basic Rhythmic Values
7.2
Simple time signatures (2/4, 3/4, 4/4)
7.3
Strong and weak beats in a measure
7.4
Activities: Analyze simple pieces, Write a 4-chord progression
Module 8 Minor Scales and Musical Modes
4
8.1
Understand and construct the natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales
8.2
Recognize the emotional quality of minor scales
8.3
The seven modes (with emphasis on Dorian and Mixolydian)
8.4
Compare major and minor/mode sounds
Module 9 Intervals and Ear Training
4
9.1
Define and identify musical intervals
9.2
Distinguish between melodic and harmonic intervals
9.3
Recognize intervals by ear using reference songs
9.4
Apply intervals in writing and performance
Module 10 Triads and Chord Construction
5
10.1
What is a triad and how it’s built
10.2
Construct major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads
10.3
Learn chord symbols and basic harmonic function (I, IV, V, vi)
10.4
Build triads from a given root on a staff or keyboard
10.5
Identify triads by sound and structure
Module 11 Chord Inversions & Voice Leading
4
11.1
Identify and build chord inversions (1st and 2nd)
11.2
Understand how inversions affect bass motion and chord labeling
11.3
Apply voice leading principles to create smooth progressions
11.4
Analyze and perform chord progressions with correct inversions
Module 12 Seventh Chords
5
12.1
Understand the construction of seventh chords (four-note chords)
12.2
Identify and build major 7th, dominant 7th, minor 7th, and half-diminished chords
12.3
Learn notation and symbols for seventh chords (e.g., Cmaj7, C7, Cm7, Cm7♭5)
12.4
Recognize how seventh chords function within progressions
12.5
Hear the tonal differences between each type
Module 13 Diatonic Harmony and Chord Functions
4
13.1
Understand what diatonic chords are in major and minor keys
13.2
Label chords using Roman numerals
13.3
Recognize the function of each chord: Tonic, Subdominant, Dominant
13.4
Apply functional harmony in analysis and composition
Module 14 Secondary Dominants
4
14.1
Understand the concept of secondary dominants (V/x)
14.2
Identify and write secondary dominants in major and minor keys
14.3
Analyze progressions that include secondary dominants
14.4
Use secondary dominants to enhance their own compositions
Module 15 Modulation
5
15.1
Module 16
15.2
Define modulation and differentiate it from tonicization
15.3
Identify common modulation techniques (pivot chord, direct, chromatic)
15.4
Analyze simple modulations in music
15.5
Compose a short progression that modulates to a new key
Module 16 Modal Interchange (Borrowed Chords)
4
16.1
Understand what modal interchange is
16.2
Identify borrowed chords in a major or minor context
16.3
Recognize common modal mixture chords
16.4
Use modal interchange to enhance harmonic variety in compositions
Module 17 Seventh Chords and Their Functions
4
17.1
Identify and build the four common types of seventh chords.
17.2
Understand the function of seventh chords in harmony
17.3
Recognize and use seventh chords in various keys and contexts
17.4
Practice writing and analyzing seventh chords in classical and popular music
Module 18 Secondary Dominants
4
18.1
Define and identify secondary dominant chords
18.2
Understand their function and notation (e.g., V/V, V/ii)
18.3
Recognize secondary dominants in real music
18.4
Apply them in composition and harmonic analysis
Module 19 Borrowed Chords and Modal Mixture
4
19.1
Define borrowed chords and modal mixture
19.2
Identify common borrowed chords from parallel modes
19.3
Understand the expressive function of modal interchange
19.4
Incorporate borrowed chords in harmonic progressions
Module 20 Cadences and Phrase Structure
4
20.1
Identify and differentiate common cadence types
20.2
Understand musical phrases and how they relate to cadences
20.3
Analyze phrase structure in classical and popular music
20.4
Compose phrases using appropriate cadences
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