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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Approaching Music Theory: Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony by California Institute of the Arts

4.7
stars
153 ratings

About the Course

This course is about how music works. It is about the relationship between the technical and aesthetic details of music. It is also about how developing a meaningful theoretical vocabulary can help you think and talk about musical style, and how learning that vocabulary can expand your appreciation for music. In this course you will learn music theory not by looking at theory itself, but by listening to, looking at, and—yes!—writing your own musical examples. By hearing, seeing, and writing yourself, you will learn about classical, modern, ancient, pop, jazz, and folk styles. Through lectures, relevant examples, and numerous practice assignments, we will examine fundamental aspects of melody. We will move into working with two voices and counterpoint, and finally to three voices and the beginnings of harmonic function. This is an intermediate-level course for musicians and composers who already have some understanding of music theory through previous study. If you are a musician or composer looking to build a deeper understanding of music theory for composing, performing, or improvisation, you have come to the right place. If you are an amateur lover of music or, perhaps, play a musical instrument and want to develop a deeper sense of appreciation for music theory, aesthetics, and history, you are also in the right place!...

Top reviews

AW

Jul 4, 2020

Great survey of Western music. I found it more of an appreciation of listening to music rather than a formal music theory course. There's lots of opportunity to learn different styles of composition.

FM

Oct 14, 2023

I gained a lot of knowledge on musical terms in the course. However, it was challenging yet rewarding. Suitable for those with little experience and maybe basic music theory knowledge.

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26 - 50 of 90 Reviews for Approaching Music Theory: Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony

By Erik A

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Jul 16, 2020

Uses understandable terms and explains all concepts that are being employed. This course focuses less on the all the difficult terms and concepts in music theory, and more on how music makes us feel and why that is. When you have developed a sense of what each style of music discussed here is and what makes it that, you can do (optional) practices on the style, to test your understanding of it. Very well taught and all tests are not too much harder than what has been discussed in the course. All around a very good course for learning about music theory.

By Ed F

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May 30, 2021

This was truly an excellent course. The focus is on understanding theory through listening and writing simple pieces. The content is well organized and the instructor is excellent. While the goal is learning theory and forms, the focus is really on appreciating and understanding different genres of music. The tone of the course is humor and lightness, however completing this course will bring one to a higher level of musical understanding and appreciation. I think one should take a basic music theory course before starting "Approaching Music Theory".

By Irving F

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Oct 16, 2022

The professor is obviously enjoying teaching this course and he makes the subject matter more approachable and relatable, instead of academic and obscure. This is a great course for anyone with a basic knowledge of the elements of musical theory with a desire to learn how to use theory to better understand musical pieces and to compose music using the conventions of musical notation to express musical ideas.

By Reginald F

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Jul 3, 2020

This is a good addition to Coursera's collection of music theory courses. I would recommend starting with the University of Edinburgh basic theory course, then either this or the National University of Singapore "Write Like Mozart". There's only a little overlap in content and approach between this and WLM -- take both. I would encourage Prof. Lowenstein to follow up with more advanced courses.

By Julia M

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Dec 28, 2020

This is a superb course which explains the basic concepts underlying music theory and gives you a good overview of music history as well. I studied GCSE and A level music and still learnt plenty. It has improved my ear and changed the way I listen to music. It is a beginners course, however people who cannot sight read might find it hard work.

By Elizabeth T

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Jan 28, 2021

The best part of this course is evaluating other students' work. I learned an incredible amount by following the instructor's guide to providing feedback to peers. It is also the hardest part, and sometimes frustrating. However, it is what makes this course different and more enriching than any music theory course I've ever taken.

By Maria D A M

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Sep 3, 2020

I loved this course, so challenging, I learned a lot, differents things, I have many years playing piano, today I played it with a new goal, and seeing concepts that I didnt see before. I am form Mexico, so I know, do re mi fa sol la si do. Is too different to think in C D E F, G A, B. Have to think different. Thankyou!

By veronica h

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Apr 9, 2020

I loved this course because it is packed with very clearly explained lessons and I really enjoyed every video. The assignments gave me lots of opportunity to practice but they did take me more than 30 minutes to do each one. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in getting into music theory.

By Michael O

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Mar 14, 2021

Not for complete beginners. If you have some basic knowledge of music I think you'll find this course very inspiring and enjoyable to do. It's music history with theory and the instructor makes its fun. I'm very impressed and will go over and refer to this course materials for years to come. It's a great course!

By Cecilia F

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Oct 26, 2021

I enjoyed this course immensely and learned a lot. The instructor used humor as well as great knowledge of the material and explained everything carefully and thoroughly. I have a long way to go to fully understand music theory and how to write it on paper. Eventually, I may be satisfied with my journey.

By Prabir S

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Jun 1, 2021

This is by far the best on - line course that I have enjoyed at my age (80 years). Mr Marc Lowenstein is fantastic as a teacher and communicator. The course contents ,sequencing , presentation and gradings are very thoughtfully planned and cleverly executed. With profound regards to CaLARTS.

By Daniel D

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Mar 24, 2021

Top course! A wide panoramic of (mostly) Western music from the last 10 centuries. Not just classical: you'll go from the Middle Ages to New Age! It could seriously change the way you look at music, especially "strange" music, like XXth century avant-garde. Great stuff to be learned here.

By Amir M B

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Mar 8, 2021

A beautiful and pleasant flight over the sky of music theory and harmony with lots of colorful points from different forms and genres, this path is also much more pleasant with an awesome instructor such as Marc.

Take this course even if you know music theory very well, trust me.

By Zack

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Aug 8, 2020

What's truly special about this course is that it helps you understand music as a whole; not just roman numerals and harmonic function, but how, throughout the ages, musicians had formed these common practice rules and used them to their advantage.

Also, wombat.

By Ben N

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Jun 30, 2019

ALL THE STARS!

Shout to Sam L. for the hookup with this class. Learned a lot! I really feel primed for my education and then some! A lot more than I bargained for. And of course I want to get to CalArts even more.. you lovely jerks!

Thanks!

By paul b

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May 3, 2021

I have thoroughly enjoyed this course with a high quality tutor presenting in an interesting style which kept the interest. Although I’m specifically studying jazz piano I found it was highly productive on many fronts - thank you very much !

By Marzia Q

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Feb 21, 2024

I enrolled this course in Jan/Feb 2024 and it had a profound impact on the way I listen to and understand music. I strongly recommend it and I will be forever grateful to Marc and the staff that created a so powerful toll. Thank you.

By Éric T

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Jun 12, 2020

Super interesting course, quite challenging but very rewarding. Marc is a fantastic lecturer! He brilliantly manages to convey his excitement for the topic. I wish there were more courses offered by him on Coursera!!

By Dennis R

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Feb 24, 2020

Clear and informative. A little background in music theory will make the content easier to understand and apply. The focus is unique and generates thought. Music theory can be fun for everyone. Thanks.

By Joao P N

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Jan 17, 2021

Professor Marc Lowenstein made me learn music theory and music forms analysis in a very rich and enjoyable way! Marc is a fantastic teacher, I look forward to enroll into another course he may offer.

By Ralitsa N

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Jun 27, 2022

Challenging, enjoyful and funny, all the elements you need to engage with a course content. I recomend it to everybody with an interest into deeper diving into music, with a hand/ears - on approach.

By CMj

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May 14, 2022

I had not learned about music theory while I had composed music for two years.

This course is easy to learn for me, who is not bright for music.

It was good time to study with this course.

By Faith P M

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Oct 15, 2023

I gained a lot of knowledge on musical terms in the course. However, it was challenging yet rewarding. Suitable for those with little experience and maybe basic music theory knowledge.

By Mary O

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Apr 16, 2020

Thank you for making the course as fun and relatable as possible! You really gave me a bigger picture idea of things and I can't wait to go deeper into the concepts we learned here!

By Jiawei R Z

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Jul 14, 2021

This teacher teaches wonderfully and engagingly. This is the most fun I've had learning about music theory thus far in my entire life. What a truly great and unique experience.