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Course Outline

This program is a synthesis of the various modules from Harmony That Matters, with extra tasks that help reinforce and apply the theoretical and practical concepts. 
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There will be recording, analysis, harmonization and composition tasks. Each HTM member who undertakes Level 1 is expected to submit every task in order to officially complete the course and receive a certificate.

Course Goals

• To gain practical fluency with the four main modules of Harmony - chords, scales, intervals and modulation
• To recognize these elements of harmony in pieces
• To understand how the knowledge of these elements can inform your interpretation
• To be able to use these elements for composing and harmonizing

Workload

The materials in this course require regular and consistent practice and application. Recording an exercise will instantly reveal if sufficient work has been done - same goes for completing an analysis or composition task. 

The timeframe to complete this course will depend on your ability and experience, however there is no escaping the necessity for daily and consistent practice. 

My expectation is that it would take between 2 - 4 weeks to complete Level 1, with around 30 minutes per day required for the material to sink in.

Contents

Section 1: Major Triads

1.1: Basic Theory

• Interval Structure, spacing
• Inversions, Figured Bass, Doubling, Subtracting
• Recognizing Triads
• Analysis Task: Identify the major triads in given examples
• Analysis Task: find at least three Major Triads in a piece you’re working on and describe them in detail (spacing, inversion, doubling, subtracting). 

1.2: Moveable Triad Shapes

• Root Position
• 1st Inversion
• 2nd Inversion
• Recording Task: Choose 1 shape from each chord inversion and shift each one up the fretboard

1.3: Major Triads by Key

• C Major
• G Major
• A Major
• Recording Task: Choose 1 triad exercise, 1 work for study and 1 triad study
• Analysis Task: Identify the triads bracketed in the works for study and triad study
• Harmonization Task: Harmonize the melodies provided with triads
• Composition: Compose a 4 bar example using only triads

Section 2: Moveable Intervals

2.1: Basic Theory

• Number and Quality
• Most important intervals: Musical Examples
• Determining the quality
• Summary of most important intervals
• Analysis Task: find one of each interval in a piece you’re working on

2.2: Moveable Interval Patterns

• Thirds
• Sixths
• Octaves
• Tenths
• Recording Task: Choose one interval and demonstrate all material from its section
• Harmonization Task: Harmonize a given melody using all four intervals
• Composition: Compose a 4 bar example using the four intervals

Section 3: Scales in First Position

3.1: Basic Theory

• What is a scale
• Structure of a scale
• Scale Segments in pieces

3.2 Introductory Scales in First Position

• Recording Task: Record all scales

3.3. Scales in First Position by Key

• Major: C, G
• Minor: A, E
• Recording Task: Record all given scales
• Analysis Task 1: identify the scale segments in the musical examples
• Analysis Task 2: Identify scale segments in one piece you are playing
• Composition Task: compose a 4 bar melody using scale segments

Section 4: Modulation

4.1: Basic Theory

• Key signatures
• Common forms and key structures
• Changing mood
• Analysis Task: identify the keys used in a selection of given pieces
• Analysis Task: determine what keys are used for a piece you’re playing. What effect do those key changes have? What’s the form of the piece?

4.2 Getting to know the keys

• Exercise 1
• Exercise 2
• Recording Task: Record both exercises in full, saying the key as you play it
• Composition Task: Compose a 4 bar melody and then transpose it to its relative minor key

Section 5: Synthesis and Analysis

5.1: Piece

• Triads
• Intervals
• Scale segments
• Modulation

5.2: Harmonization

• Triads, Intervals

5.3: Composition
- Triads, Intervals, Scales, Modulation, Form

Begin Course From Scratch

Download Booklet

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