Skills Diversion
Skills Diversion

Basis of Western Music Theory

  1. Home
  2. Basis of Western Music Theory
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dYm9lEoLH7ZSGkHVC02M5nQIFbJBn0k5
Angelina Albert
Angelina Albert
/
October 29, 2025

Basis of Western Music Theory

00
0 Enrolled
Art & Design, Music

This course, Basics of Western Music Theory, is designed to build a strong foundation for anyone beginning their musical journey. Students will learn to read and understand musical notation, identify notes, staff lines, and clefs, and recognize different types of notes, rests, and rhythms. The course also introduces time signatures, keys, scales, chords, and the circle of fifths, making theory practical and connected to real music. Alongside theory, students will practice basic piano techniques, finger placement, and staff reading exercises to apply their knowledge in playing and creating music confidently.

What Will I Learn?

  • Read and understand musical notation (notes, staff, and clefs).
  • Recognize different types of notes, rests, and their values.
  • Understand rhythm, beats, and time signatures.
  • Identify natural notes, sharps, flats, and key signatures.
  • Build and play major and minor scales using formulas.
  • Form and recognize basic chords (major, minor, diminished).
  • Apply theory through piano basics, finger placement, and exercises.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Introduction to Notations
This lesson introduces the very building blocks of music. Students will learn the 7 notes, how they repeat, explore the staff with its lines and spaces, and understand the role of treble and bass clefs. Bar lines and different types of bar divisions will also be covered, along with simple memory aids for identifying notes on both clefs. By the end, students will be able to read and label the staff with confidence.

  • Lesson 1: Introduction to Notations
    00:00

Lesson 2: Types of Musical Notes
Here, students explore the anatomy of musical notes and their values. From whole notes to half, quarter, eighth, and dotted notes, learners discover how each symbol changes the length of sound in a piece. Practical counting exercises help connect symbols to rhythm, making note values easier to remember. This lesson sets the foundation for understanding timing and rhythm in music.

Lesson 3: Rhythm and Timing
In this lesson, students dive into the heartbeat of music — rhythm. They’ll learn what beats are, how rhythm patterns fit within beats, and how rests create silence and contrast. The concept of time signatures is explained step by step, showing how to read and count measures. Through clapping, tapping, and guided practice, learners begin to feel the flow of music beyond just notes.

Lesson 4: Recognizing Keys
Students will be introduced to natural keys (A–G), along with sharps and flats. They’ll explore how these symbols shift notes up or down, and practice identifying them on the keyboard. The difference between white and black keys is explained in detail, making it easier to connect written notes with instrument playing. By the end, learners will be able to recognize and name keys with accuracy.

Lesson 5: Scales and Key Signatures
In this lesson, students will learn how scales are formed and how they shape the sound of music. They will explore the two main types of scales — major (happy, bright) and minor (sad, emotional) — and understand the step formulas used to build them. Students will also be introduced to key signatures, which show which sharps (♯) or flats (♭) are used in a piece, and learn how these signatures indicate the scale or key of the music. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to recognize major and minor scales, apply their formulas, and identify the key signature of a piece.

Lesson 6: Introduction to Chords
Here, students learn how combining three or more notes creates harmony. They’ll discover the difference between major, minor, and diminished chords and practice forming them on the piano. The lesson explains how chords add depth and emotion to melodies, and why they are essential in every genre of music. By the end, learners will be able to build basic chords confidently.

Lesson 7: Reading and Playing Music
The final lesson brings theory into practice. Students will learn proper piano posture, hand and finger placement, and how to connect what they see on the staff to actual playing. With guided exercises, they’ll practice reading simple notes, rhythms, and applying chords. This hands-on session ensures learners leave with both theoretical knowledge and the ability to perform basic pieces.

About the instructor

Angelina Albert

Angelina Albert

Mucisian

<p>Hello, I’m Angelina Albert, a music instructor at Skills Diversion College. I teach the fundamentals of Western music theory, focusing on making each concept clear, practical, and enjoyable to learn. With over 10 years of musical study and practice, I bring a mix of structured guidance and real-world examples to help students connect theory to the music they love. I aim to make learning both inspiring and confidence-building so that you can apply your knowledge creatively in any musical setting.</p>
0 (0 ratings)

1 Courses

0 students

₨ 18,000 ₨ 30,000
  • All Levels
  • 0 Total Enrolled
  • 7 hours Duration
  • October 29, 2025 Last Updated
  • Certificate of completion
Durations: 7 hours
Lectures: 8
Students: Max 0
Level: All Levels
Language:
Certificate:

Material Includes

  • Detailed lectures videos for each lesson.

Requirements

  • Access to a beginners keyboard or piano (recommended for practice).

Tags

Audience

  • Students of any age group
  • Beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of Western music theory.
  • Students learning piano or keyboard.