Skip Navigation Website Accessibility

Easy Music Theory for All Musicians



Easy Music Theory for All Musicians

Tuesdays at 6 pm for 4 weeks. Each class is approximately 1 hour.

Course Description:
This course is designed to give students a musical foundation from which to build their music education. It is intended to supplement and support other avenues of learning such as private lessons and self-learning.  Ability to read music notation is not necessary for this class.

Week 1:
Major Scales - Why sharps are sharp and flats are flat
Tetrachords - Building blocks for scales
Minor Scales - The three common forms
Modes - Other scales commonly used or rare.
Key Signatures - How to build and recognize them
Circle of 5ths - Shortcuts around the circle

Week 2:
Intervals - The relationship between any two notes
Ear Training - Putting a name to a sound
Transposition - Changing key by the numbers

Week 3:
Chords - Their formulas and inversions
The Harmonic System - Names and Roman Numerals within a key
Characters of the Major Scale - Relationships to resolution
Chords by function - Why the dominant 7th resolves to tonic

Week 4:
Songs to grow on - More ear training and harmonizing
Arranging - Putting it all together for any ensemble


"I highly recommend the music theory course (and book) taught by Preston Bailey, "A Theory Primer for All Musicians".  I took the course through Strum Music Shop.  I am an adult music student at the shop.  The book is an excellent resource of all aspects of music theory.  The concepts are broken down into concise explanations coupled with excellent charts that make the patterns of the concepts very clear.  As an adult student, I need to understand the "why" of musical rules and concepts which present themselves as I am learning to play the music.  Preston's course and the book have become my "go to" resource as I encounter these concepts in my lessons.  The course also relates the concepts to actual songs, encouraging "ear training", understanding harmony and even learning about transposition.  Music theory was always intimidating for me but Preston's course and book make it all relatable and understandable.  Preston is an experienced teacher who presents the material in a fun and approachable way.  He is patient in answering questions from the students.  I even enjoyed the worksheets.  I highly recommend this course to any music student of any age." Marguerite Schellentrager

 


Skill Level: Intermediate
Skill Details: this class will be useful for both intermediate musicians. Beginning and advanced musicians may find this helpful as well.
Requirements: Ages 12+
Instructor: Preston Bailey
Instructor Bio: Preston Bailey is a multi-instrumentalist and retired music educator who was nationally recognized for his work in restoring music education in the Petaluma City School District. He served 8 years at the elementary level then transferred to Petaluma Junior High School where he served for 15 years as the Band and Choir Director. Preston authored the book Keyboard Scale Fingering published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company.
{{getPrice()}}
Class+Materials

{{model.event.first_date}} - {{model.event.last_date}} {{model.event.sections.length}} Sessions {{model.event.sections[0].time}}
{{s.date}} {{s.time}}

Seats available {{model.remainingSeats()}}

{{errorMessage}}

{{waitlist_contact_errorMessage}}

Included Materials


{{c.items[0].title}}

{{c.errorMessage}}

This class cannot be purchased online. Please contact the store for more information.