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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

    • U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Instructional Design Foundations and Applications

      Skills you'll gain: Instructional and Curriculum Design, Needs Assessment, Instructional Design, Learning Theory, Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Training, Talent Management, Systems Analysis, Job Analysis, Analysis

      4
      Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      768 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Pennsylvania

      Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions

      Skills you'll gain: Goal Setting, Emotional Intelligence, Personal Development, Overcoming Obstacles, Empathy, Productivity, Positive Behavior Support, Optimism, Self-Awareness, Self-Motivation, Persistence, Growth Mindedness, Cognitive flexibility, Psychology, Creativity, Curiosity

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.2K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • C

      California Institute of the Arts

      Introduction to Game Design

      Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Storytelling, Design, Design Elements And Principles, Creativity, Peer Review

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.9K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      Università Bocconi

      Financing and Investing in Infrastructure

      Skills you'll gain: Project Finance, Risk Analysis, Capital Budgeting, Financial Analysis, Credit Risk, Risk Management, Investments, Loans, Contract Management, Banking

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of California San Diego

      Data Structures

      Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Algorithms, Data Storage, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, C++ (Programming Language), Theoretical Computer Science, File Management

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      5.5K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Applied Social Network Analysis in Python

      Skills you'll gain: Network Analysis, Network Model, Graph Theory, Data Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Applied Machine Learning, Matplotlib, Predictive Modeling, Simulations, Algorithms

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.7K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Geneva

      International Organizations Management

      Skills you'll gain: International Relations, Leadership and Management, Strategic Partnership, Marketing, Fundraising, Leadership, Governance, Public Policies, Business, Organizational Strategy, Organizational Structure, World History, Cross-Functional Collaboration

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • B

      Berklee

      Introducción a la producción de música

      Skills you'll gain: Music, Media Production, Musical Composition, Music Theory, Instrumental Music, File Management, Editing, Automation

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      263 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • C

      California Institute of the Arts

      Introduction to Imagemaking

      Skills you'll gain: Graphic and Visual Design, Photo Editing, Photography, Peer Review, Aesthetics, Design Research, Storytelling, Creativity, Design Elements And Principles, Design Strategies, Digital Publishing

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.9K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Minnesota

      User Interface Design

      Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Research, User Research, Design Research, User Interface (UI) Design, Usability Testing, Prototyping, User Interface (UI), User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, User Experience, User Centered Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Ideation, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Design, Human Computer Interaction, User Experience Design, Interaction Design, Qualitative Research, Design Thinking

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.8K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      U

      University of California, Davis

      Web Development for Beginners

      Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Color Theory, Version Control, Typography, HTML and CSS, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), GitHub, Git (Version Control System), Web Design, Web Design and Development, Web Development, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Front-End Web Development, Application Deployment, Web Applications, Design Elements And Principles, Animations, Web Content, Mobile Development

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.7K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      M

      Michigan State University

      Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course)

      Skills you'll gain: Peer Review, Writing, Editing, Storytelling, Proofreading, Creativity

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      771 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Music Theory learners also search

    Music
    Music Business
    Music Technology
    Music History
    Classical Music
    Music Production
    Piano Theory
    Media
    1…181920…141

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

    • Instructional Design Foundations and Applications: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions: University of Pennsylvania
    • Introduction to Game Design: California Institute of the Arts
    • Financing and Investing in Infrastructure: Università Bocconi
    • Data Structures: University of California San Diego
    • Applied Social Network Analysis in Python: University of Michigan
    • International Organizations Management : University of Geneva
    • Introducción a la producción de música: Berklee
    • Introduction to Imagemaking: California Institute of the Arts
    • User Interface Design: University of Minnesota

    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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