CAMPUSES AND SCHOOLS SAMPLE A LESSON C O N TA C T U S A P P LY
Berklee Online
Online Undergraduate-Level Course
Music Theory 101
Authored by Paul Schmeling | Course Code: OHARM-101
Overview
If you want to learn music Next
theory, then pitch, rhythm, semesterSyllabus
starts
scales, intervals, chords, and April 1 Requirements
harmony are foundational
concepts that you need to Level Instructors
understand and master. 1
Related Music Career Roles
Music Theory 101 will set
3-Credit
you on your way with 12 Tuition Enroll Now
weeks of engaging and $1,545 No application required
interactive music theory
Non-
lessons. After more than 40 Sample this course
Credit Log in or sign up
years at Berklee, Professor Tuition
Emeritus Paul Schmeling $1,290
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has helped countless
students learn music theory Need guidance?
and build a solid base of 1-866-BERKLEE
musical knowledge. And Int'l: +1-617-747-2146
he'll do the same for you or Email us
with his online music theory
course, supported by class
discussions, interactive tools,
and personalized feedback
that will help you put music
theory into practice every
day. Join our community of
beginning learners for a
hands-on music theory
course where you'll read,
write, and truly hear the
elements of music like never
before.
By the end of this course,
you will:
Read and write musical
notation
Play notes on a piano
keyboard
Use scales, intervals, and
chords
Write a melody
Syllabus
Lesson 1 Rhythm Part I
Pulse
Meter
Notes
Rhythmic Notation
Activities
Lesson 2 Rhythm Part II
Eighth Notes
Beaming, Dots, and Ties
Rhythmic Notation Tips
Rhythmic Dictation
Activity
Rhythmic Notation
Activity
Lesson 3 Pitch Notation
ABCs of Pitch Notation
Treble Clef Notes
Bass Clef Notes
Grand Staff
Octaves
Accidentals: Sharps,
Flats, and Naturals
Enharmonics
Lesson 4 Major Scales
Half Steps and Whole
Steps
Chromatic Scales
Whole Tone Scales
Major Scales
Other Major Scales
Key Signatures
Scales and Key
Signatures
Lesson 5 Minor Scales
The Minor Scale Sound
The Relative
Major/Minor Relationship
Parallel Minor
Harmonic Minor
Melodic Minor
The Descending Melodic
Minor Scale
The Real Melodic Minor
Scale
Minor Scale Key
Signatures
Lesson 6 Intervals
Interval Number Names
Interval Sound
Unison
Perfect and Major
Intervals
Major vs. Minor Intervals
Perfect/Major vs.
Diminished
Perfect/Major vs.
Augmented
Compound Intervals
Lesson 7 Chords I: Triads
Major Triads
Minor Triads
Diminished and
Augmented Triads
Chord Symbols
Lesson 8 Triad Inversions
Triad Inversions
Bass/Chord Theory
Voice Leading
Parallel and Contrary
Motion
Lesson 9 Chords II: Basic Seventh
Chords
The Major Seventh
Chord
The Dominant Seventh
Chord
The Minor Seventh
Chord
The Minor 7
The Diminished Seventh
Chord
Chord Symbols and
Review
Lesson 10 Inversions and Voice
Leading of Seventh
Chords
Inversions of Basic
Seventh Chords
Positions of Basic
Seventh Chords
Voice Leading Seventh
Chords
Voice Leading: Two
Ways
Lesson 11 Using the Lead Sheet
Harmonizing the Melody
Creating Harmonic
Accompaniments
Voice Doublings
Increasing Activity in the
Bass
Lesson 12 Melody Writing
Making Melodic
Connections
Repeating Phrases
Sequences
Requirements
Prerequisites and Course-Specific
Requirements
Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge,
and/or Skills
Take the Music Theory self-assessment
quiz to determine your level.
Textbook(s)
Recommended: Berklee Music Theory:
Book 1 by Paul Schmeling (Berklee Press,
2011)
Recommended: Berklee Music Theory:
Book 2 by Paul Schmeling (Berklee Press,
2011)
Software
MuseScore (free) or Finale
Student Deals
After enrolling, be sure to check out our
Student Deals page for various offers on
software, hardware, and more. Please
contact [email protected] with
any questions.
General Course Requirements
Below are the minimum requirements to
access the course environment and
participate in Live Chats. Please make
sure to also check the Prerequisites and
Course-Specific Requirements section
above, and ensure your computer meets or
exceeds the minimum system
requirements for all software needed for
your course.
Mac Users
macOS High Sierra 10.13 or later
PC Users
Windows 10 or later
All Users
Latest version of Google Chrome
Zoom meeting software
Webcam
Speakers or headphones
External or internal microphone
Broadband Internet connection
Instructors
Paul Schmeling
Author & Instructor
Paul Schmeling is a master pianist,
interpreter, improviser and arranger
who has inspired countless students
since he began teaching at Berklee in
1961. He has performed or recorded
with jazz greats such as Clark Terry,
Rebecca Parris, George Coleman,
Carol Sloane, Frank Foster, Art
Farmer, Herb Pomeroy, Phil Wilson,
Dick Johnson and Slide Hampton. In
the 1990s, the Paul Schmeling Trio
released two inventive and critically
acclaimed albums, interpreting the
music of Hoagy Carmichael and
songs associated with Frank Sinatra.
Recently retired as chair of the piano
department, he is co-author of the
Berklee Practice Method: Keyboard
(2001) and Instant Keyboard (2002)
and the author of Berklee Music
Theory: Book 1.
Carlos Arana
Instructor
Carlos “Charly” Arana is a guitarist,
producer, and researcher. His
specialties range from Latin American
rhythms to the application of machine
learning and artificial intelligence
techniques for music. As a guitarist,
arranger, and musical director he has
worked and recorded with artists
from all over the world, including
legendary Bossa Nova singer Maria
Creuza, whose band he was a
member of. He has edited a number
of books for Hal Leonard and Warner
Bros. Publications (Alfred
Publications), and for his studies and
research on machine learning and AI
he has been invited as a speaker in
congresses and seminars at some of
the most prestigious technology
universities, such as MIT and UC
Berkeley.
Russell Hoffmann
Instructor
Russell Hoffmann is Assistant
Professor of Piano at Berklee College
of Music and is a pianist, recording
artist, composer and arranger in
many styles of contemporary music,
including jazz, Latin, and pop styles.
He has served as musical director for
Concord recording artist Marlena
Shaw and the University of
Minnesota's "Twelve Moods for Jazz"
Langston Hughes project. He has
performed with many jazz luminaries,
including Jack McDuff, James Moody,
Billy Hart, Donald Harrison, Bobbie
McFerrin, Peter Lietch, and many of
Boston's finest jazz artists. As a
clinician, Russ has appeared in
Berklee's Italy summer program,
Umbria Jazz Festival, Perugia, Italy;
Berklee in Taipei; Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia; Heineken Jazz Fest, San
Juan, Puerto Rico; and the Berklee
Annual Jazz Festival. He is the author
of workbooks on keyboard comping,
ensemble performance, and co-
author of the Berklee Practice
Method: Keyboard.
Dave Limina
Instructor
Dave Limina is the Chair of the Piano
department at Berklee College of
Music. He is also the Director of the
Bachelor of Arts in Piano
Performance degree program for
Berklee Online. In 2001 he received
the Most Valuable Contribution to the
Performance Curriculum Award for
his work in developing the Hammond
organ program. An experienced
session keyboardist, composer, and
arranger, Dave has performed with
Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters,
Lori McKenna, Duke Robillard, Gloria
Estefan, Mark Murphy, Scott
Hamilton, the first national touring
company of the Broadway musical
Rent, and many others. He received
Boston Music Award nominations for
his work with Courage Brothers,
Ronnie Earl, and Mighty Sam
McClain, and has played on several
Grammy-nominated recordings. He
played keyboards on Michelle
Willson's Wake Up Call, which won a
Boston Music Award in 2001. Dave
does extensive session work in
Boston, New York, and LA. He is the
author of Hammond Organ Complete
(Berklee Press) and the instructional
video/DVD Accelerate Your Keyboard
Playing. His playing is featured on
many TV and film soundtracks.
Gaye Tolan Hatfield
Instructor
Gaye Tolan Hatfield is a graduate of
Berklee College of Music and a
professor in the college’s Ear Training
department. She has also taught in
the Harmony, Voice, and Ensemble
departments, and co-wrote and
teaches the Berklee Online course
Music Foundations. Her work outside
of the college includes writing,
arranging, transcribing, and
performing locally as a vocalist,
pianist, and flutist. She has assisted
orchestrators for the Boston Pops,
and in the summer of 2013, wrote a
choral arrangement that was
performed at the Pops 4th of July
concert.
Hatfield's compositions can be heard
on a variety of television shows,
including Navy NCIS, History
Detective, The Young and the
Restless, Revenge, NUMBER3, C.S.I.
NY, Good Wife, and United States of
Tara, in addition to the films Dear
John and What To Expect When
You're Expecting. She has also been a
member of the Providence Singers,
and penned an arrangement of
"Someone to Watch Over Me" for
their 2007-2008 Gershwin tribute
concert.
Gaye earned 2015 and 2016 Daytime
Emmy award nominations for her
work as a member of the composing
team for The Young and the Restless.
Michael Hamilton
Instructor
Mike Hamilton has been producing,
writing, recording, and performing
music for over twenty years. He was
a member of the late night band for
the BET television show Live from
LA, where he wrote and produced
hip-hop pieces for guest artists such
as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Warren G,
Method Man, P. Diddy, and Mystical.
He has produced recordings for
Interscope, Island Def Jam, and BGP
Records. His recordings include Heart
and Soul with the Winans, Thus
Spoke Z with CTI, and the solo
albums Natural Attraction and Here
Together. While the saxophone is his
principal instrument, he also plays
keyboards, bass, and drums.
Hamilton has appeared and toured
with multi-platinum recording artists
such as James Brown, Tyrese, Savage
Garden, Coolio, Joe, Ronny Jordan,
Jonathan Butler, and Phil Perry. He
has performed at the BBC London,
the NFL World Bowl IX Halftime
Show, the Turn Ben Stein On TV
show, and the Today show. He has
been featured at the Boston Globe
Jazz Festival and the Santa Barbara
Jazz Festival. He received his bachelor
of music degree from Berklee College
of Music, where he is now an
assistant professor in the
Contemporary Writing and
Production department.
Vicente Avella
Instructor
Pianist and composer Vicente Avella
has been writing and performing
internationally since 1998. Born and
raised in Caracas, Venezuela, he has
scored numerous independent films,
orchestrated and worked on music
production for major network
television shows including Family
Guy (FOX) and American Dad (FOX),
and written music for worldwide
advertising including Intel (Saudi
Arabia), Red Bull Air Race World
Championship (Brazil), and official
branding for FPC Sports Channel
(Colombia). Avella also performs
regularly as a piano soloist,
accompanist, and in chamber groups.
In 2013, Avella released his debut
album, All the Days of My Life,
produced by Grammy Award winner
Will Ackerman, founder of Windham
Hill Records. The record received
multiple awards including Best Solo
Piano Album from One World Music
Awards and an Award of Excellence
for Instrumental Performance Solo
from Global Music Awards. The
single "Bridal March" charted at no. 1
on iTunes; it is also the no. 1 "Bridal
March" on YouTube.
In addition to teaching at Berklee,
Avella is an adjunct professor at
Antelope Valley College in Lancaster,
California, where he teaches music
theory, musicianship, and piano
performance. He is the recipient of a
fellowship from Eastman School of
Music, where he completed his
master's degree in music
composition; he received his
bachelor's degree in piano
performance from Indiana University.
Avella currently resides with his wife
and children in Los Angeles.
Melissa Howe
Instructor
Dr. Melissa Howe is a violinist whose
interdisciplinary training in music
theory, cognitive psychology, and
education has served as the
foundation for a multi-faceted career
in the arts. Howe served on Berklee’s
Boston campus as faculty for many
years in the Composition, Ear
Training, and String Departments.
Her performances span a wide range,
from food opera to video game
string quartet to Björk, Harry
Belafonte, and Bruce Springsteen, as
well the superlative orchestras of
Boston’s leading arts organizations.
Currently serving as Chief of Staff in
the Office of the President, Dr. Howe
works tirelessly to support innovation
and excellence at Berklee.
William Brinkley
Instructor
Bill Brinkley is the developer and
former director of the Center for
Computer Aided Instruction in Music,
Berklee’s first research facility
investigating the use of computer
technology in a music curriculum. A
Berklee graduate with a degree in
composition, Bill joined the faculty in
1976. During his 15 years at the
college, Bill was also a highly
respected professor, teaching ear
training, solfege, arranging, harmony,
jazz counterpoint, ensembles, and
private guitar lessons, and authoring
two jazz counterpoint courses and a
music copying course. Bill started out
as a rock and R and B guitarist in his
native Georgia, eventually joining
Motown to work with David Ruffin
after the singer left the Temptations.
He became one of Boston’s most
proficient jazz guitarists, playing in
numerous bands with top area
musicians like Jerry Bergonzi, Grover
Mooney, and Garrison Fewell. An in-
demand music copyist and
transcriber, Bill has worked for Harry
Connick Jr., the Boston Pops, George
Benson, Lyle Mays, and classical
composer Thomas Oboe Lee. He
continues to work as a musician, as
well as a graphic designer and music
technology consultant.
Ayeisha Mathis
Instructor
Ayeisha Dennise Mathis is a Boston
native born into a musical family who
exposed her to various instruments
such as keys and guitar. At the tender
age of 5 she fell in love with drums
and percussion. Throughout her
youth, her musical talents were
nurtured and matured through
playing at church. She quickly rose to
become Boston’s sought after
drummer showing extraordinary
talent and a promising future in
music. Before the age of 18, Mathis
shared the worldwide stage with
renowned artists and musicians such
as Sheila E., Hugh Masekela, John
Blackwell, Dennis Chambers, Vinnie
Colaiuta, Dawaun Parker, and many
others. She is the first recipient of the
prestigious Berklee College of Music
presidential scholarship, graduating
in 2009 with dual degrees in Music
Production and Engineering and
Music Business/Management. Mathis
has made the Berklee community
proud, affectionately recognized as
one of Berklee’s notable alumni, she
lives up to that recognition.
Mathis is making a lasting impact on
her local community. She is the
Founder and CEO of Sound Doctrine
Company, whose core business
function is to support up and coming
artists through music production,
artist development, and education.
She volunteers her time and talents
for local clinics and masters classes
for the City of Boston, Berklee
College of Music, and many other
community centers and music
programs. In addition, she mentors
numerous youth in and around the
Boston area. She is the former music
program director at the Boys and
Girls Clubs of Dorchester and former
team leader for the Music and Youth
Initiative. Currently, she is an
Assistant Professor at Berklee
College of Music and a faculty
member at the New England
Conservatory. Additionally she is
serving her community as the
Program Director at the Boston Kroc
Center.
Debbie Cavalier
Instructor
Debbie Cavalier was the co-founder
of Berklee Online in 2002, and has
been instrumental in transforming the
online school of Berklee College of
Music into a worldwide music
education powerhouse. Under
Debbie's leadership, Berklee Online
has achieved many landmark firsts in
the world of online education: in
2013 it became the first online music
school to offer MOOCs; in 2014 it
became the first online music school
to offer bachelor's degrees; in 2017 it
became the first school to offer an
online bachelor's degree in guitar;
and in 2018 it became the first online
music school to offer online master's
degree programs in music production
and film scoring. Berklee Online
boasts a 97 percent student
satisfaction rate among its degree
students, a benchmark that Debbie
and her team have increased each
year. Her dedication to music
education is also reflected in the
100+ music education methods
books and arrangements she has
written for Carl Fischer, First Act,
Alfred Publishing, and Warner Bros.
Publications.
She holds a Master's degree in
Education from Cambridge College
and continues to further her studies
in music, business, and distance
learning. Debbie also leads the
children's/family music group Debbie
& Friends, and is a Grammy award-
winning songwriter with her song
entitled "Walk Away" which was
featured on the 2011 Best Children's
album, All About Bullies. Known for
their original cartoon music videos,
Debbie & Friends has more than 18
million views on their YouTube
channel, and growing.
Debbie is a Director on AVID's ACA
Executive Board and recently served
on the UPCEA Board of Governors
and the Boston Higher Education
Innovation Council. She has been
honored with the She Rocks "Inspire
Award" and Boston's "50 on Fire
Award" for Education. In her spare
time, Debbie is a volunteer musician
with the "Musicians On Call"
organization, singing Debbie &
Friends songs bedside to brave young
patients at Boston's "Floating
Hospital for Children" at Tufts
Medical Center. To help out during
the COVID-19 crisis, Debbie performs
weekly online sing-alongs for
children via YouTube LIVE.
Gail McArthur-Browne
Instructor
Gail McArthur-Browne is an assistant
professor in the Contemporary
Writing and Production department
at Berklee College of Music. She is a
saxophonist, composer, and arranger
originally from Glasgow, Scotland.
She has performed with many great
musicians, including Benny Carter,
Gerry Mulligan, Grover Washington,
Don Cherry, Jackie McLean, Antonio
Sanchez, Christian McBride, Dirty
Dozen Brass Band, Maria Schneider,
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra,
Vital Information, Dave Weckl, and
Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez.
McArthur-Browne has won many
awards, including The Princes Trust
Award, STUC James Milne Award,
Scottish International Education
Award, The Cross Trust Award, Mary
Patton Rowan Award, and the
Cosmopolitan Magazine and
American Express Performing Arts
Award. She has made several
television appearances, including U.K.
Channel 4 Television, "Down the
Line," CNN's Berklee Special, WBZ4
News, and CN8 "Nitebeat." In 1999
and 2000, she was commissioned by
the Scottish Arts Council and
composed pieces for the Scottish
National Jazz Orchestra.
Mark Zaleski
Instructor
Internationally touring musician, Mark
Zaleski, has distinguished himself as
a uniquely dynamic soloist, multi-
instrumentalist, and band leader.He
has performed with a diverse group
of notable artists including Dave
Brubeck, Christian McBride, Ian
Anderson, Connie Francis, Mahmoud
Ahmed, Rakalam Bob Moses, the
Either/Orchestra, Jason Palmer, and
Matt Savage. At the young age of 33,
he has established faculty positions
at Berklee College of Music, New
England Conservatory of Music, and
Longy School of Music at Bard
College.
In 2017, Zaleski released his second
record, “Days, Months, Years”, a
record where Zaleski performs on
alto saxophone, soprano saxophone,
and double bass; one of the first of its
kind in the jazz genre.
Additionally, Zaleski is active in many
musical projects including the Omar
Thomas Large Ensemble, The
Brighton Beat, the Either/Orchestra,
Nyota Road, a duo project with Glenn
Zaleski, Chris Hersch and the
Moonraiders, The Ayn Inserto Jazz
Orchestra, Mehmet Sanlikol and
WhatsNext, and plays bass in a
popular Boston-area soul band he
founded called Planet Radio.
What's Next?
When taken for credit, Music Theory
101 can be applied towards the
completion of these related programs:
RELATED CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Music Theory Professional Certificate
Voice Technique and Musicianship
Professional Certificate
Theory, Harmony & Ear Training Advanced
Professional Certificate
General Music Studies Professional
Certfificate
General Music Studies Advanced Professional
Certificate
RELATED DEGREE MAJORS
Bachelor's Degree in Music Production
Bachelor's Degree in Music Business
Bachelor's Degree in Electronic Music
Production and Sound Design
Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Music
Studies (Create Your Own Major)
Bachelor's Degree in Songwriting
Bachelor's Degree in Guitar Performance
Bachelor's Degree in Songwriting and
Producing Music
Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance
Bachelor's Degree in Voice Performance
Related Music
Career Roles
Employers look for skills learned in this
course, when hiring for the following music
career roles:
Copyist
(Film,
TV,
Conductor
and
Video
Games)
Music Music
Director Director
(Church) (Orchestra)
Music
Director
Repetiteur
(Performing
Artist/Band)
Questions?
Session
Transcriber
ConductorAdvisors by
Contact our Academic
phone at 1-866-BERKLEE (U.S.), 1-
617-747-2146 (INT'L), or by email
at [email protected].
