🎵 Welcome to Beginning Music Theory! 🎵

Do you love music and want to really understand how it works?
Are you a musician who plays by ear but feels a little lost when you see all those squiggly symbols on sheet music? ("It looks like Greek to me!")
Or maybe you’re just curious about the building blocks behind the sounds you love?

If so, you’re in the right place! 🎶✨

This course will take you on a fun and friendly journey through the basics of music theory — no prior experience required. We’ll start from square one and help you build the skills and knowledge to unlock a deeper understanding of music.

Already had some theory before? Awesome! This can also be a great way to refresh what you know and fill in any gaps.

🎵 Beginning Music Theory syllbus

High School | Canvas Course

Welcome! This course is designed to help you feel confident, curious, and successful as you learn how music works. Whether you’ve been making music for years or are just getting started, this class is about growth, consistency, and understanding—not perfection. 🎶

Course Description

Beginning Music Theory is an online course designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of reading, writing, and understanding music. This course is appropriate for students with little to no formal theory background and supports musicians of all types (band, orchestra, choir, guitar, piano, production, or independent study). Lessons are presented through videos, readings, listening examples, and short practice assignments within Canvas.

You don’t need to be an expert—just willing to try, practice, and stay engaged. Every student grows at their own pace, and that’s exactly how it should be! 😊

🎯 Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Read and write basic music notation

• Identify notes on the staff (treble and bass clef)

• Understand rhythm, meter, and basic time signatures

• Recognize key signatures and scales

• Identify common intervals and chords

• Use basic music vocabulary correctly

• Demonstrate musical growth through consistent practice and reflection

💻 Course Format

• 100% Online through Canvas

• Weekly modules with clear due dates

• Short instructional videos and guided practice

• Listening activities and quizzes

• Performance-based reflection assignments (progress-focused, not perfection-based)

Students are expected to check Canvas at least 3–5 times per week so they can stay on track and feel confident about what’s coming up. ✅

🎧 Required Materials

• Access to Canvas and a reliable internet connection

• Headphones or speakers

• Pencil and paper (staff paper recommended)

• An instrument or voice (any level is acceptable)

No textbook is required.

📅 Weekly Expectations

Each week may include:

• Instructional videos

• Practice or notation assignments

• Listening examples

• Short quizzes or checks for understanding

• Practice-minute reflections (when applicable)

Assignments are designed to be manageable and spread throughout the week.

📊 Grading Breakdown

• Assignments & Practice Activities: 40%

• Quizzes & Checks for Understanding: 60%

Grades are based on completion, effort, and growth, not musical perfection. Showing up and trying matters most! 💪🎵

⏰ Late Work Policy

• Late work is accepted to support your pacing needs here at UOS, but please, for your own success and less stress, follow the schedule!!

• Communication is key—students should message the instructor if issues arise

• End-of-term deadlines are firm

✅ Academic Honesty

Students are expected to submit original work. Collaboration and help from private teachers or family members is encouraged for learning, but all submitted assignments must reflect the student’s own understanding.

💬 Communication

• All course communication will take place through Canvas

• Students should use respectful and appropriate language

• Questions are always welcome—asking for help is encouraged

🤝 Support & Accommodations

Students with documented accommodations or learning needs should contact the instructor as early as possible. The goal of this course is access, growth, and success for all learners.

📝 Instructor Feedback

Feedback will focus on:

• Musical progress

• Effort and consistency

• Clarity of presentation

• Growth over time

This course values progress over perfection.

⭐ Final Note

Music theory is a skill that develops over time. Mistakes are expected, questions are encouraged, and effort always counts. Stay curious, stay organized, and remember—you are learning a language that musicians use every day. You’ve got this! 🎶✨

Letter Grade Breakdown

  93-100%       = A (4.0) 80-82.99% = B- (2.7) 67-69.99% = D+ (1.4)

90-92.99%   = A- (3.7) 77-79.99% = C+ (2.4) 63-66.99% = D (1.0)

87-89.99%   = B+ (3.4) 73-76.99% = C (2.0) 60-62.99% = D- (0.7)

83-86.99%   = B (3.0) 70-72.99% = C- (1.7) 59.99% or less F (0)

*Grades will be rounded up to the nearest whole number