Music Theory: Melody and Harmony

What is Music Theory: Melody and Harmony?

Music Theory: Melody and Harmony is the second course in Alison's music theory series, designed to deepen your understanding of musical structure. This free online course builds on foundational rhythm and instrument knowledge, focusing on melody construction, chord identification, and harmonic analysis. You'll explore how notes form scales, learn to distinguish major and minor tonalities, and develop sharper listening skills through practical examples from classical, blues, and rock genres.

Key features

• Chord Progression Training — Learn how chords function within melodies and how to recognize common patterns.
• Scale Development Lessons — Study the formation of major and minor scales and their role in melody.
• Analysis of Classical Composers — Explore works by Mozart and Wagner to understand harmonic depth in classical music.
• Cadences and Sequences — Identify musical punctuation and repeating melodic patterns in excerpts.
• Genre-Based Learning — Listen to blues and rock to hear real-world applications of harmonic change.
• Aural Skills Development — Train your ear to detect regular vs. irregular harmonic rhythm.
• Prerequisite-Based Curriculum — Designed as a follow-up to Music Theory: Instruments and Rhythm for structured learning.

Who is Music Theory: Melody and Harmony for?

This course suits aspiring musicians, music students, and self-taught performers who want to strengthen their theoretical and listening skills. It's ideal for those who have completed the first course in the series and are ready to advance into harmony, chord building, and melodic analysis. Whether preparing for formal music study or enhancing personal knowledge, this course supports structured progression.

How does Music Theory: Melody and Harmony compare?

Unlike broad introductory music courses, this program offers a focused, sequential approach to melody and harmony. Compared to general theory textbooks or YouTube tutorials, it provides structured lessons with composer studies and genre-specific examples. While not a substitute for private instruction or college-level courses, it delivers more depth than beginner apps or flashcard-based tools, especially for learners who value classical foundations paired with modern genre exposure.