Term 3-Music Theory 1

Music Theory 1 - Notation and Pitch

Mondays 7:00-8:00 pm, January 11 - February 15 (6 weeks)

$50 Course Fee

If you love to play or sing but find the written part of music to be challenging – this course is for you! If your director uses terms like “whole step” or “semi-tone” or asks you to learn your chromatic scale and all of those sharps and flats terrify you – this course is for you. If you know ‘that note’ is played by ‘these fingers’ but panic when you’re asked to name ‘that note’ out loud, this course is for you! If you don’t understand what you just read - this course is for you! We will focus on a ‘pitch-based’ approach, which coincides very nicely with the Time Keeping and Rhythm course also being offered, yet the concepts for each one can be learned independently. We will start from the very beginning with learning how to name notes on the staff in both treble and bass clef, learning to write the musical symbols properly and relating notes to the piano keyboard. Then we’ll address a few simple intervals, accidentals and eventually move into writing and understanding chromatic and major scales. I have a few tricks to help you remember some key concepts. This is a step-by-step approach that has worked with hundreds of unwitting teenagers! It’s time to conquer your fears and join me in Music Theory 1.

Questions? Email me at: jemclauchlin@gmail.com

Recommended for beginners, novice and even intermediate level musicians

Some testimonials from past participants in Music Theory 1:

“As a recent retiree, with very limited musical knowledge, this course was perfect! The instructor is top-notch and provides instruction (notes and exercises) in an organized and logical manner and she encourages questions, in class and through email. I have gained knowledge, confidence, and friends. Great way to spend a couple hours each week during this pandemic! I hope the course is a mainstay for Westwinds in the future. Highly recommended!”