Turn into a Music Theory Pro With These 20+ Online Courses

Turn into a Music Theory Pro With These 20+ Online Courses

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Apr 08, 2024 05:36 PM IST | #Music

Music is a form of art conveyed through the medium of sound. Vocal or instrumental or both sounds combine and form a beautiful, harmonious, and expressive emotion. Music’s definition, creation, performance, and significance differ from culture to culture. Music can make someone feel or express almost every kind of emotion in existence. It is an important part of our everyday lives and is often dubbed as the Universal Language of Emotion. With online courses and certifications, you can enhance your existing music skills or give your career a new path. There are a wide range of Music Theory Pro courses discussed in this article. So, go through this to get more details about music.

Turn into a Music Theory Pro With These 20+ Online Courses
Turn into a Music Theory Pro With These 20+ Online Courses

The origin of music dates back to even before we started recording history, and hence it has no fixed origins. It is often suggested that music originated from naturally occurring sounds and rhythms. If you enrol in online degree courses or certificate courses to learn music theory, you will understand how music is written and how someone can interpret musical notes. Here we have compiled a list of some top-notch Music Theory Pro online courses that will strengthen your understanding of musical aspects like Sound, Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Texture, and Structure. So, let’s get started.

List of Top Music Theory Pro Courses

Course
Duration
Course Fees
Platform
6 weeks
Free
4 weeks
Free
Music Theory Comprehensive Complete! (Levels 1, 2, & 3)
12 hours
Rs 3,520
Udemy
Music Theory for Electronic Music COMPLETE: Parts 1, 2, & 3
12.5 hours
Rs 3,520
Udemy
Music Theory: Melody and Harmony
1.5-3 hours
Free
Alison
Music Theory: Instruments and Rhythm
1.5-3 hours
Free
Alison
The Complete Piano & Music Theory Beginners Course
1.5 hours
Rs 455
Udemy
Introduction to Music Theory
5-6 hours
Free
Alison
Music Theory: Musical Form
1.5-3 hours
Free
Alison
Music Theory for Electronic Music COMPLETE: Parts 1, 2, & 3
12.5 hours
Rs 455
Udemy
Music Composition with the Piano: Ultimate Keyboard Theory
8 hours
Rs 455
Udemy
Practical Music Theory 101 For Guitar
8 hours
Rs 468
Udemy
Fundamentals of Music Theory
7 hours
Rs 2,116
SONGWRITING SIMPLIFIED: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity
4.5 hours
Rs 455
Udemy
Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 10, 11, & 12
8 hours
Rs 455
Udemy
Getting Started With Music Theory
13 hours
Rs 2,116
Coursera
Music Theory | ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory Complete Course
5.5 hours
Rs 474
Udemy
Developing Your Musicianship Specialization
17 hours
Free
Coursera
Prepare for Music Theory ABRSM 1 to 5
10.5 hours
Rs 468
Udemy
Approaching Music Theory: Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony
22 hours
Rs 2,116
Coursera
Musicianship: Chord Charts, Diatonic Chords, and Minor Keys
13 hours
Free
Coursera

1. Introduction To Music Theory

This is one of the best Music Theory Pro courses offered by Berklee College of Music, Boston via edX and designed for people who have a keen interest and passion for music. The course will teach you to create major and minor scales, identify the tonal centre of a song, develop basic major, minor, and dominant seventh chords, and recognize blues and AABA song forms.

Topics Covered:

  • Basic music theory
  • How to identify, analyze, and sing intervals
  • Creation of common chord progression - the I IV V

Duration: 6 weeks

Fee: Free

Platform: edX

Also read:

From Notation to Performance: Understanding Musical Scores by The Open University, Milton Keynes via Futurelearn

2. Music Theory Online

This is another one of the best Music courses that features assessments, both practical and theoretical, to assist you in learning new concepts and applying them. The course will teach the concept of the scalar relationship of pitch and scale degrees and read keys and key signatures in more detail. After the course, you will get a certificate globally recognised by CPD certified.

Topics covered:

  • Discover the difference between minor and major scales while learning the diatonic major scale
  • Write a basic melody and utilise chord progression effectively

Duration: 4 weeks

Fee: Free

Platform: Shaw Academy

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

This is amongst the best Music Theory Pro courses where you will build your foundations for all the fundamentals of music theory with these basic music lessons. You will study all aspects of music theory, starting from notations to pitch and harmonies. This course is suitable for everyone, and no prior knowledge is required.

Topics Covered:

  • Keyboard layout
  • Notations
  • Scales and keys
  • Chords
  • The circle of fifths

Duration: 12 hours

Fee: Rs 3,520

Platform: Udemy

Top Trending Courses & Certifications:

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

This is one of the highest-rated Music Theory Pro certification courses that will teach you electronic, digital, and dance music theory. You will build a basic understanding of how to build chords and melodies that work together. You must have a DAW to take this course.

Topics covered:

  • The perfect 5th
  • Diatonic chord progressions
  • 7th chords
  • The circle of fifths
  • Melody Writing
  • Basslines

Duration: 12.5 hours

Fee: Rs 3,520

Platform: Udemy

5. Music Theory: Melody and Harmony

This is one of the free Music Theory Pro online courses that will teach you how to identify different musical scales and build chords. You will also study famous composers such as Mozart and Wagner and their musical techniques. This course is suitable for anyone.

Topics covered:

  • Melody
  • Harmony and bass patterns
  • Assessments

Duration: 1.5-3 hours

Fee: Free

Platform: Alison

Also read: Career as Music Director

6. Music Theory: Instruments and Rhythm

Offered by Yale University, this is another one of the free Music Theory Pro courses that will let you learn to identify different rhythms and instruments in any piece of music. You will study instruments and rhythms helping you improve your listening skills and become familiar with basic musical rules.

Topics covered:

  • Introduction to music theory
  • Rhythm
  • Course Assessment

Duration: 1.5-3 hours

Fee: Free

Platform: Alison

Also read: World Music Balinese Rhythms by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge via Edx

7. The Complete Piano & Music Theory Beginners Course

In this amongst the highest-rated music courses, you will learn all piano and music theory basics quickly within a short amount of time. You will also learn basic piano techniques, elements of music, scales, and how to read sheet music. This course is highly suitable for beginners.

Topics covered:

  • Piano technique fundamentals
  • The elements of music
  • How to play chords and scales
  • Rhythm
  • How to read music

Duration: 1.5 hours

Fee: Rs 455

Platform: Udemy

Also read: Top Music Universities in India 2021

8. Introduction to Music Theory

If you are looking for online courses & certifications from top providers, this course is for you. This is one of the best Music Theory Pro courses that will provide you with an introduction to music theory and its practical applications with an in-depth and straightforward approach. This course will also provide you with practical lessons that will enhance your ability to read notes, write music, and play chords by ear only.

Topics covered:

  • Cadence
  • Assessment
  • Octaves and intervals
  • Ear training

Duration: 5-6 hours

Fee: Free

Platform: Alison

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9. Music Theory: Musical Form

In this one of the most-rated Music Theory Pro certification courses offered by Yale University, you will learn music theory at a beginner level and gain an in-depth understanding of the six models of classical music. You will also study the features of verse and chorus and the four functional types that show up in a sonata-allegro form.

Topics covered:

  • Musical Form
  • Theme and Variation
  • Assessments

Duration: 1.5-3 hours

Fee: Free

Platform: Alison

Also read: Learn to Play Cajon With These 15+ Online Courses

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

This amongst the bestseller Music Theory Pro online courses will help you in understanding the fundamentals of electronic music theory, digital music theory, and dance music theory. You will learn music theory with Ableton live while making practical use of it.

Topics covered:

The perfect 5th

Diatonic chord progressions

7th chords

Wrap up

Duration: 12.5 hours

Fee: Rs 455

Platform: Udemy

Also read: Introduction to the Music Business by Berklee College of Music, Boston via Edx

11. Music Composition with the Piano: Ultimate Keyboard Theory

This is the best course for those who are looking for online diploma courses to learn about music. This one of the Music Theory Pro courses will help you understand the theoretical concepts of the Keyboard. You will learn how to make music with a keyboard and a DAW. This course will help you extend music theory without reading a line of music.

Topics covered:

  • Chords and melodies
  • Piano technique
  • Diatonic Harmony
  • Chord voicing and arrangement
  • Basslines

Duration: 8 hours

Fee: Rs 455

Platform: Udemy

12. Practical Music Theory 101 For Guitar

Learn the music theory for guitar in this one of the highest-rated Music Theory Pro certification courses. The course will teach you the placement on the fretboard of the guitar and how to easily visualize the entire fretboard. You are not required prior music theory for this course.

Topics covered:

  • Music theory 101
  • Musical Keys
  • Chords
  • Chord and scale relationship

Duration: 5 hours

Fee: Rs 468

Platform: Udemy

Also read: Music Technology Foundations by The University of Adelaide, Adelaide via Edx

13. Fundamentals of Music Theory

Offered by the University of Edinburgh, this is one of the beginner level Music Theory Pro courses that will let you learn music theory online at the fundamental level. You will learn the skill needed to read and write Western music notations. You will also study how to listen, analyze, and understand musical notation.

Topics covered:

  • Pitches, Scales, Modes, and Chords
  • Keys, Minor Scales, and Intervals
  • Rhythm and form
  • Harmony

Duration: 7 hours

Fee: Rs 2,116

Platform: Coursera

14. SONGWRITING SIMPLIFIED: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity

In this amongst the highest-rated Music Theory Pro certification courses, you will learn the music theory involved in songwriting and how to write songs for piano and guitar. You will be studying musical aspects like chord progressions, scales, melodies, and lyrics without reading the music sheets.

Topics covered:

  • Basic music theory
  • Chords
  • Scales
  • Chord progressions
  • Writing vocal melody
  • Song structure

Duration: 4.5 hours

Fee: Rs 455

Platform: Udemy

Also read: 15 Best Online Courses To Learn Violin Lessons

15. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 10, 11, & 12

This is one of the comprehensive Music Theory Pro courses that will show you how to master college-level music theory with ease. You will be studying advanced music aspects like diminished, melody, motives, and secondary dominants.

Topics covered:

  • Diminished chords and types
  • Dominant substitutions
  • Motives
  • Musical periods
  • Vocabulary
  • Sequences
  • Secondary dominants

Duration: 8 hours

Fee: Rs 455

Platform: Udemy

Also read:

Becoming a Better Music Teacher by Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music via Futurelearn

16. Getting Started With Music Theory

This is another one of the highest-rated Music courses offered by Michigan State University where you will get an introduction to music theory and learn the topics of music theory like pitch, rhythm, meter, notation, scales, keys, key signatures, meter signatures, triads, seventh chords, and basic harmony. You will also learn how to identify and create major and minor scales and understand the Circle of Fifths and its relationship with keys and scales.

Topics covered:

  • Overview, Tonality, and Notation
  • Scales and Chords
  • Intervals
  • Rhythm and Meter

Duration: 13 hours

Fee: Rs 2,116

Platform: Coursera

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17. Music Theory | ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory Complete Course

This one of the Music Theory Pro courses will help you prepare for the ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory exams. You will study and do comprehensive training on Trio Sonata, Keyboard Reconstruction, Composition, and Score Reading.

Topics covered:

  • Trio Sonata
  • Keyboard Reconstruction
  • Composition
  • Score Reading

Duration: 5.5 hours

Fee: Rs 474

Platform: Udemy

Also read: Best 15+ Music Courses To Become A Vocalist

18. Developing Your Musicianship Specialization

Learn music theory at the intermediate level and deepen your understanding of music theory to develop your skill as a musician in this one of the best Music Theory Pro courses offered by Berklee College of Music. You will study how to work within minor keys in a variety of scales.

Topics covered:

  • Minor Scales and Keys
  • Chord charts
  • Minor Keys
  • Harmonic Function

Duration: 17 hours

Fee: Rs 3,576 for one month after the free trial ends

Platform: Coursera

Also read: 15+ Free Courses to Learn Songwriting in 2021

19. Prepare for Music Theory ABRSM 1 to 5

This one of the comprehensive Music Theory Pro online courses will cover all the music theories required to clear the ABRSM theory examinations from grades 1 - 5. You will also work with, understand, and use musical notations. This course is suitable for anyone.

Topics covered:

  • How to write music notation
  • Melodies
  • Rhythms
  • Intervals and keys
  • Major and minor scales
  • Enharmonic

Duration: 10.5 hours

Fee: Rs 468

Platform: Udemy

20. Approaching Music Theory: Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony

Offered by the California Institute of the Arts, this is one of the most-rated Music Theory Pro courses that will introduce you to intermediate-level music theory. You will study the relationship between the technical and aesthetic details of the music. A basic understanding of music theory is required for this course.

Topics covered:

  • Introduction
  • Melodic Structure
  • Combining Pitches
  • Cadences

Duration: 22 hours

Fee: Rs 2,116

Platform: Coursera

21. Musicianship: Chord Charts, Diatonic Chords, and Minor Keys

In this one of the amazing Music Theory Pro courses, you will be introduced to new key signatures, including minor tonalities, and learn how they are constructed. You will also study how to build 7th chords and how to build common chord progressions.

Topics Covered:

  • Introduction
  • Chord charts
  • Diatonic chords
  • Minor Keys

Duration: 13 hours

Fee: Rs 3,576 for one month after the free trial ends

Platform: Coursera

Also read: Vocal Recording Technology by Berklee College of Music, Boston via Edx

Conclusion

Learning music theory is the best way to deepen your musical sense and develop practical skills to compose and produce your own music. Music theory will help you gain a deeper understanding of the music you hear around you. You will be able to break it down into parts and gain another perspective when you hear a song. These Music Theory Pro courses will provide you with the sufficient knowledge and experience you need in order to understand the depths of music and create your own music. You can enrol in the best music courses by making an online course comparison to advance your musical knowledge and skills.
Explore Popular Platforms Certification Courses

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long does it take to complete Music Theory Pro online courses?

It depends on the course you choose and the modules involved in it. However, the aforementioned music courses will be completed in a few hours. 

2. Are these Music Theory Pro courses provide certificates?

Yes, you will receive a certificate after completing the course.

3. Are these music courses available for free?

Some Music Theory Pro courses are available for free such as music theory courses from edX and Alison, while others charge a few costs.

4. Who can apply for these Music Theory Pro certification courses?

Anyone who has a keen interest in learning music theory and developing a musical sense can pursue Music Theory Pro certification courses.

Articles

Questions related to Music

Have a question related to Music ?

Hello Shital,

Admission timelines for a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Music vary depending on the institution. Typically, admissions for PGD programs in music open around June to August for the new academic year, with some colleges or universities offering admissions in the January intake as well.

To find out the exact dates:

  1. Check individual college websites or their admissions notifications.

  2. Look out for universities like Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya , IGNOU , and other music institutes that offer PGD in music.

  3. Entrance exams or interviews might be required, so keep an eye on important deadlines.

Start preparing and applying early to secure a spot in your desired institution.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.


Hello aspirant,

To apply for a Masters of Arts in Music, one must have a B.A. with honors in music or music as one of their subjects. Reputable universities have established a minimum qualifying standard of 50% in the B.A. Before admitting someone to pursue an M.A. in music, some universities additionally administer screening exams.

So if you fulfill the eligibility criteria, you can do MA in Music from university.

Thank you

Yes, you can do an MA in Music even if you have a background in Mathematics and Science. Here’s a simple way to go about it:

Steps to Do MA in Music

  1. Check Requirements :

    • Eligibility : Look at the universities offering MA in Music to see if they accept students from different backgrounds. Some might need you to have a basic knowledge of music.
  2. Find a University :

    • Search : Look for colleges or universities that offer an MA in Music. You can find this information on their websites.
  3. Contact the University :

    • Ask : Call or email the university to confirm if you can apply with your current background and if there are any extra steps you need to take.
  4. Prepare :

    • Entrance Test/Audition : Some universities might ask you to take a test or audition to show your interest and skills in music.
    • Learn Basics : If you don’t have much music experience, it might help to learn some basics or take a short course in music.
  5. Apply :

    • Fill Forms : Complete the application forms for the MA in Music.
    • Submit Documents : Provide your undergraduate degree, marksheets, and any other required documents.

Summary

  • Eligibility: Check if the university accepts students from different fields.
  • Preparation: Be ready for any entrance tests or auditions.
  • Application: Apply to the university and submit the required documents.

Hey there! Thanks for reaching out to us at Careers360. I'd be happy to help you explore your options for becoming a music producer and vocalist after 12th. That sounds like an exciting career path!

So, to pursue a career in music production and vocals, there are a few routes you could consider:

1. Formal education: You could look into music production or sound engineering courses at colleges or specialized music institutes. These programs can give you a solid foundation in both the technical and creative aspects of music production.

2. Vocational training: There are also shorter diploma or certificate courses focused specifically on music production or vocal training.

3. Self-study and practice: Many successful producers and vocalists are self-taught. You could start by learning music theory, practicing your vocal skills, and experimenting with music production software.

As for qualifications, while there's no strict requirement, having a background in music (like playing an instrument) can be helpful. Most importantly, you'll need a good ear for music, creativity, and technical skills with music production software.

Financially, it can vary quite a bit. If you go the formal education route, you'll need to consider tuition fees. For self-study, you'll need to invest in some basic equipment like a computer, music production software, and possibly a home studio setup.

Keep in mind that building a career in music can take time and persistence. Networking, creating a strong portfolio, and continuously improving your skills are key.

Would you like me to dig deeper into any specific area? Maybe we could look at some music production courses or discuss ways to start building your skills right now? If yes, check this out.

Hi there,

Hope you are doing fine.

As a PhD student in Vocal Music from the Banasthali University you may be looking for some opportunities to find the vacancies in the field of music. For someone with the academic background there are several avenues to explore.

You can check with the local and the national music institutions, universities and colleges that might be looking for the guest lecturers or part time faculty in vocal music. Additionally you can also explore the opportunities at the cultural organizations, music schools and performing arts centers which often seek experts for workshops, masterclasses and performances. You can also check the online platforms and academic job boards that might also list some openings for research positions or adjunct faculty roles in music.

You can network with the professionals in the field and attending relevant music conferences can also uncover potential vacancies. Hope this resolves your query.

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