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Music Composition II: Basic Harmony Techniques & Song Form for Beginners
Class Experience
Beginner - Advanced Level
This class explores basic harmony and rhythm. Start by learning about the tonic, dominant, and subdominant chords and how they support the melody. Next, explore creating harmonic rhythms and learn how rhythm affects the flow of our music. After the introduction to harmony, you will work with three song forms and write several short songs. The class concludes with a final project where you can apply what you learned. While this class builds on Music Composition I: Melody & Song Writing...
14 lessons//8 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Introduction to ClassLesson 2Noteflight Tutorials (Optional)If you took Comp I (Melody), skip this. If you're new to Noteflight, these videos will walk you through how to use it.Lesson 3Introduction to HarmonyLesson 4Analysis & WritingWeek 2Lesson 5Troubleshooting Your HarmonyWeek 3Lesson 6Create Your Own Melody & HarmonyWeek 4Lesson 7Harmonic RhythmLesson 8Building Harmonic RhythmLesson 9Noteflight Tutorial: Creating TripletsWeek 5Lesson 10Question & Answer Melody FormWeek 6Lesson 11A/B Tonic/Dominant Melody FormWeek 7Lesson 12Rondo Melody FormWeek 8Lesson 13Song Form & Final ProjectLesson 14Noteflight Wrap Up
- At the conclusion of this class, students: *Will understand and be able to construct major scales. *Will be able to create a basic harmony and harmonic rhythm using tonic, dominant, and subdominant chords *Will be able to create melody lines using Q&A Form, Tonic/Dominant Form, and Rondo Form *Will be able to create a song with basic harmony
I have over 20 years of music industry experience as a performer, composer, and arranger. I hold a Masters Certificate from Berklee College of Music where I extensively studied composing and arranging. I've composed and arranged music for myself and several local-to-me music and theater groups that I've sung with and/or directed.
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: includedFeedback: includedDetails: In addition to a series of videos, each week, students will be given an assignment to practice the concepts learned in class. Most assignments should not take more than 45 - 60 minutes to do. Assignments will include: *Composition exercises using Noteflight worksheets that I create *AnalysisAssessment
Frequency: includedDetails: Most assignments will receive written feedback. The exceptions will be some review exercises where an answer key will be provided for self-assessment.Grading
Frequency: includedDetails: Grades will be provided upon request.
Complete Composition I: Melody Writing & Song Writing Techniques *It's possible to skip the above class. Please read the class description for more information.
Because everything is done via the the web app, students should not need any additional materials.
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Noteflight: Students will be creating their work in Noteflight, an external web app for music composition. For the duration of the class, students will be able to use the special "Noteflight Learn" account through my music studio. This is free of charge and I will set up each learner as they register. Students do not need to register for an account themselves. No data is collected or stored in this account beyond their classwork and first name. Noteflight Learn is COPPA and FERPA compliant, meaning, it meets the standards required by public schools to ensure student privacy. The first lesson will include an optional introduction on how to use Noteflight for students who have not taken previous classes with me. Part of each lesson's demonstrations will cover any Noteflight-specific things that students need to know in order to complete the assignment. If students cannot figure out how to do something, they are always welcome to send me a message. Additionally, Noteflight has an extensive, easy-to-use knowledge base and online help center. After the class ends, they will no longer have access to this Noteflight account (unless they are continuing with me). I will show them how to export their work so they don't lose their compositions. They can also, optionally, create a standard Noteflight account and move their work to that account. YouTube: There will be a couple of instances where students will be directed to find music as part of a discussion. They'll be directed to YouTube for this exercise so they can share in the classroom. They'll be instructed to keep their selections PG-rated and secular in nature.
Teacher expertise and credentials
I help my students along their creative journey, no matter where they are on their path. I offer encouragement, guidance, and technique, but never judgment. My classes and private lessons get students involved -- you can’t learn music or art by...
Reviews
Self-Paced Class
$18
weekly or $144 for all content14 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 2 learners
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Ages: 12-17