**Please note - THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER CLASS.  A certain level of competence will be assumed in this class.  Learners should be proficient at reading notes and rhythm, and have a basic understanding of what key signatures and chords are.  If you are unsure if your learner is ready for this class, please message me.  I have other theory classes that can meet your learner where they are at.**

Understanding how to read music is an incredible journey, but the next level is understanding how it all works together.  Music is full of patterns, even the most complex songs out there.  Knowing how to read the patterns, and then duplicate them, is the one of the most eye opening learning experiences.  

In this on-going class, we will rotate through some general themes.  Please see the list below for the rotation.  Each class will start with a learning component where we will review/teach the key concept of the day, in an age appropriate manner.  Examples will be given, and students will have lots of opportunities to engage.  Please note, each of these topics have a range of difficulty.  The learners that make up each class will determine how basic or advanced each topic gets.

The remainder of the class will be spent in an interactive activity.  These activities may include, but not be limited to, playing games, writing a song together, or analyzing music from one of the “great” composers.  

The rotation of themes will be as follows, although changes may occur as the learners' needs dictate:
The 4 common chords that most popular songs are built on
Cadences - What are they?  When do you use them?
The Circle of Fifths - The ultimate cheat tool
What’s the key? - Looking at key signatures 
Chords built from the scale - Major keys
Chords built from the scale - Minor keys
Where’s the root? - Inversions and why we use them
What’s the chord? - When the chord is broken, or missing some notes…
Making 7ths, and how to name the variations
Have a melody? Now write the accompaniment!
Common chord progressions - not just the common 4
Relative Minors - how to change the mood of a song
Have a catchy chord progression? Now write the melody!
Resolve the music story - how dissonance and consonance are used in music