The pandemic has prevented us from going to school and classes to progress our education. Looking on the bright side, there are plenty of online courses on the internet that have advantages against traditional classes. If you want to learn to read music sheets and expand your instrument’s versatility, music theory courses are an amazing alternative. Here are some of the best online music theory courses available that can assist you in the learning process.

Getting started with music theory

Bruce Taggart is an Associate Professor of Music Theory at the College of Music at Michigan State University. He has taught undergraduates and graduates music theory since 1996.

This course provides a basic overview of the elements of music theory for people who have little or no prior knowledge of the subject. Pitch, rhythm, meter, etc, and fundamental harmony are all part of the subject. Once finished the course, you should be able to read and write in treble and bass clef using standard meters and rhythmic values by the end of the course, as well as notate and harmonize a simple tune.

Music theory comprehensive complete

Dr. Allen is a professional musician, university lecturer, and top-rated Udemy instructor. The Grammy Foundation has acknowledged him for his music education programs. This is a class for the average person who wants to turn their interest in music theory (or music in general) into a useful skill. Whether you’re a professional musician or just starting out, this class will offer what you need.

Fundamentals of music theory

This course will teach students the fundamentals of music theory, including how to read and write Western music notation, as well as how to evaluate, analyze, and listen to music critically. The fundamentals of Western music theory will be covered from the very beginning and extend to some sophisticated concepts in the later lessons. The class will be useful to both beginners and seasoned musicians.

Music theory – Fundamentals for composition in any genre

The first half of the course was created to assist you to discover and develop your natural musical abilities. The goal is to achieve flexibility and fluidity in the writing of music, allowing you to express your true voice without resorting to fabrication. 

The approach consists of a series of lessons and exercises that focus solely on the most important aspects of musical development. There will be no sight-reading, tests, fast cures, or diplomas to display on your wall. Deep listening, compositional challenges, personal reflection, and many hours of successful practice will all be part of the program.

Yale University’s Music Theory

There is a misconception that online music classes or courses are very costly. However, these music theory lessons are basically free on YouTube, with a playlist of 23 lectures.

Not only that,  the course has a very interesting teaching method. Rather than beginning with an introduction to Western music theory, it begins by teaching you how to listen to music. According to the instructor, Craig White, understanding the greatness that lies behind great music begins with appropriate listening to harmony, melody, and rhythm. While this course does not provide any certification, it will absolutely assist you in learning music theory in a fun way.