$15

weekly

or $120 for all content

Music Theory for Beginners!

New class

Ages 11-15

Self-Paced Course

Introduce your child to the basics of Music Theory! Learn music notation, pitch, rhythm, scales, chords, and more. Get started with learning the language of music.

Chris Kefer

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(3 reviews)

New on Outschool

8 pre-recorded lessons

8 weeks of teacher support

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1 year of access to the content

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Go at your own pace

Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.

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About Learning Overview Schedule Teacher Reviews

What's included

8 pre-recorded lessons

8 weeks

of teacher support

1 year access

to the content

Assignments

1 hour per week. 1-2 per week

Assessment

1-2 throughout the class

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 9

Beginner Level

Course Summary: Music Theory for Beginners! (8-Week Self-Paced Classroom)

Course Overview:

This eight-week self-paced course is designed for beginners who want to understand, read, and create music without feeling overwhelmed. Through interactive lessons, engaging exercises, and practical applications, you’ll develop a strong foundation in music theory basics—from reading notes and rhythms to building chords and writing simple melodies. By the end of this course, you’ll develop skills needed analyze music, play basic progressions, and compose your own short piece!

Key Features of the Course:
✔ Self-Paced Learning: Complete lessons at your convenience.
✔ Interactive Activities: Reinforce key concepts.
✔ External Resources: Free approved tools to help you practice.
✔ Composition Practice: Develop your own musical ideas.
✔ Final Project: Apply your knowledge in a creative way.

By the end of this course, you’ll have the confidence to read music, understand rhythm, build chords, and even compose your own melodies. Whether you're learning for fun, preparing to play an instrument, or interested in songwriting, this course will set you on the right path!

Enroll today and start your music journey!

Learning Goals

Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines

Reading and notating music

Syllabus

2 Units

8 Lessons

over 8 Weeks

Unit 1: Laying the Foundation

Lesson 1:

The Basics of Music Notation

 1. The musical alphabet
2. The staff, clefs, and ledger lines
3. Accidentals

1 assignment

Lesson 2:

Rhythm and Time Signatures

 1. Building blocks of rhythm- whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth note durations
2. Rests- Whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth note durations
3. Time Signatures- 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, etc. and how they shape music

1 assignment

15 mins of video lessons

Lesson 3:

Scales and Key Signatures

 1. Major Scale Formula- C Major scale and other common scales 
2. Minor Scale Formula- A minor scale 
3. Key Signatures

1 assignment

28 mins of video lessons

Lesson 4:

Intervals and Ear Training

 1. Intervals and how they shape melodies
2. Reviewing half steps and whole steps
3. Melodic Vs. Harmonic Intervals/Consonance and Dissonance

1 assignment

Other Details

Supply List

I will supply all course materials and nothing additional needs to be purchased.

Language of Instruction

English

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Sources

1. We will use Chrome Music Lab as a way to introduce music theory concepts and composition techniques- https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/ 2. We will use musictheory.net for some source material and practice tools- https://www.musictheory.net/

Meet the teacher

Chris Kefer

Joined January, 2025

5.0

3reviews

New on Outschool

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Maryland Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts

2 Degrees

Master's Degree in Music from Towson University

Bachelor's Degree in Music from West Chester University of Pennsylvania

I have been teaching private music lessons since 2007. I have eight years of experience teaching band and general music in public schools. I have M.S. and B.M. degrees in Music Education. I have an Advanced Professional Certificate from the Maryland State Department of Education to teach Pre K-12. I have experience teaching both in person and online music classes.