Music Theory Courses and Certifications

Fundamentals of Music Theory

26 reviews

Learn the fundamentals of music theory from the University of Edinburgh. Develop skills in reading and writing music notation, understanding and analyzing music, and more. Suitable for beginners and experienced musicians. 6 weeks long.

• Coursera
• 12 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Introduction To Music Theory

7 reviews

Learn key concepts and approaches needed to understand, create, and perform contemporary music.

• edX
• 6 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

How to Write Your First Song

166 reviews

Get a practical introduction to the mechanics of songwriting and meet established songwriters with this free online course

• FutureLearn
• 6 weeks, 3 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

• Best of All Time

Getting Started With Music Theory

732 ratings at Coursera

Learn the basics of music theory in a 4-week course by Michigan State University. Explore pitch, rhythm, notation, scales, and harmony. Ideal for beginners and ear-trained musicians.

• Coursera
• 13 hours 15 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Write Like Mozart: An Introduction to Classical Music Composition

5 reviews

Learn classical music composition in 6 weeks. Explore harmonic progression, voice leading, and texture. Get creative within stylistic emulation.

• Coursera
• 15 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Musicianship: Chord Charts, Diatonic Chords, and Minor Keys

548 ratings at Coursera

Berklee College of Music offers a 4-week online course on advanced musicianship, focusing on chord charts, diatonic chords, and minor keys. Learn to create and perform contemporary music.

• Coursera
• 12 hours 14 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Approaching Music Theory: Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony

153 ratings at Coursera

Explore the technical and aesthetic aspects of music with California Institute of the Arts' 4-week course. Learn music theory through practical examples in various styles, enhancing your appreciation for music.

• Coursera
• 22 hours 20 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Musicianship: Tensions, Harmonic Function, and Modal Interchange

396 ratings at Coursera

Berklee College of Music offers a 4-week online course on advanced musicianship, focusing on harmonic function and modal interchange. Ideal for those with a basic understanding of music theory.

• Coursera
• 10 hours 21 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

An introduction to music theory

59 ratings at OpenLearn

Gain an understanding of the basic building blocks of musical theory and notation. This free course, An introduction to music theory, will introduce you to music staves, clefs, rhythmic and pitch ...

• OpenLearn
• 8 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Music Theory Comprehensive Complete! (Parts 1, 2, & 3)

20844 ratings at Udemy

A Complete College-Level Music Theory Curriculum. This edition of the course includes levels 1, 2, & 3.

• Udemy
• 12 hours 18 minutes
• On-Demand
• Paid Course

Music Theory for Electronic Music COMPLETE: Parts 1, 2, & 3

8569 ratings at Udemy

Electronic music theory, digital music theory, and dance music theory. Learn music theory with ableton live and more!

• Udemy
• 12 hours 40 minutes
• On-Demand
• Paid Course

Read Music FAST!

6563 ratings at Udemy

Learn to read music using my unique method: just see a note on a piano score and play it on the keyboard straight away

• Udemy
• 1 hour 26 minutes
• On-Demand
• Paid Course

Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 4, 5, & 6

3464 ratings at Udemy

Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials.

• Udemy
• 10 hours 12 minutes
• On-Demand
• Paid Course

The Complete Piano & Music Theory Beginners Course

2758 ratings at Udemy

Learn all piano and music theory basics quickly, and save big on months of initial private lessons!

• Udemy
• 1 hour 18 minutes
• On-Demand
• Paid Course

Music Composition 1

2115 ratings at Udemy

Learn to compose your own rhythms and melodies with this online course, including transcription practice and use of music notation software. Ideal for every music student.

• Udemy
• 2 hours 41 minutes
• On-Demand
• Paid Course