“I just want to learn music theory, but every course I’ve tried is great if you already have music experience!”
Does that sound like you?
OR MAYBE YOU’RE LEARNING AN INSTRUMENT OR HOW TO SING, BUT...
You can’t read music (or read it well)
You learn the concept, but you have no idea how it actually applies to, you know, music.
You took an online class, but you missed an early session so you were lost the rest of the time.
YOU NEED:
A course that fits your schedule and goes at your pace!
Something that is convenient and fits into your busy schedule, but also explains things in a way that is understandable.
A theory course that helps you become a better musician in general!
Read music easily and fluently
Master a concept through lots of practice and examples
Understand how and why things are why they are (“I love ‘Doe, a Deer’ from the Sound of Music. Seriously, those syllables actually come to us from the 11th century? Shut the front door!”)
A course that doesn’t just explain what something is, but also helps you:
Introducing
Music Theory 101, Part 1
“Getting Started"
A 10-session video course that introduces you to all the rudiments of music theory so you can read, write, and understand music with ease!
Each lesson is packed with information, not only about the concepts themselves, but with live demonstrations, worksheets to help you understand a concept, composition activities to help you “speak the language” of music yourself, and even games (I LOVE games!).
Here’s what you get with every lesson:
-
KEYBOARD PRACTICE, so you can see and hear what you are learning, and reinforce it on your own.
-
READING MUSIC, so you can get quicker at recognizing things and have more fun making music!
-
WRITING MUSIC (composition and worksheets), so you can experience these concepts for yourself and apply it to the art that you are making for yourself.
-
“HOT EXTRAS”, an extra History Of Theory topic with every lesson, so you can discover how and why the concepts we are covering came to be (for instance, “Ut, a Deer” would just not sound as melodic. Just sayin’.)...
PLUS, you’ll also get instant access to:
-
Numerous examples from a wide variety of music
-
Optional “assignments” in written theory (worksheets) and sight singing (you can practice reading music with me via a Zoom meeting), so you get immediate, personalized feedback and support.
How do the extras work?
Examples:
I provide music and recordings to pieces of music. You have the option of seeing just the music and the recording, or seeing an “annotated score” where I mark things and point them out for you.
Optional Assignments:
You’ll download and complete assignments and email them to me. As soon as I receive them, I will correct them, along with suggestions for improvement. You might even get a sticker!
Sight Singing:
You’ll receive a coupon code when you purchase your course that you can use for up to four 15-minute Zoom sessions with me. Use these sessions to get instant feedback and suggestions. (You can always buy more sessions if you like.)
Here’s what others have asked!
What if I’ve never played the piano? What if I don’t HAVE a piano?
Not a problem in either case! We are using the piano as a tool for learning, not for playing’s sake. There are a number of “virtual pianos” and apps on the internet, and I include a link for one in the course as well.
What if I can’t sing?
First of all, NONSENSE. Like the piano, we’re using our voice as a tool for learning. Second, like the piano, this is not a singing course. As one church choir director told us once, “the good Book does NOT say ‘make a perfectly-formed, pearl-shaped tone to the Lord.’” (And if you need further inspiration, read about Caedmon and his hymn.)
I don’t think I have time for this??
That’s the great thing about this course - YOU decide when you’re ready for each lesson, and you can work at your own pace.
Do you offer refunds?
Products are non-refundable.
I have more questions, how can I get in touch?
Send me a question here.
Graduating seniors and incoming
graduate students!
Does that graduate entrance exam in music theory have you worried?
Does Theory IV seem like a ridiculously long time ago?
Are you thinking “no parallel fifths” and that’s all you can remember for voice leading rules?
I hear you, and I’ve got you covered!
I hear you, and I've got you covered!
Introducing
Music Theory Graduate Review
An intensive 5-class crash review course of the main topics most often covered in music theory and most likely to be asked on graduate placement exams.
What do you get with each of the 5 live classes?
-
First of all, it’s live, so you have chances to stop me and ask questions if you are confused or need further explanation. We will also do exercises “in class” so that you can get immediate feedback!
• You will receive a recording of our Zoom meeting so you can also go back and review. (You will also get the recording if you have to miss the class for some reason.)
• You will receive handouts summarizing the topics we covered, along with musical examples.
• If you wish to take a mock exam or do review work in sight-singing/rhythm reading or ear training, you will receive a coupon for 20% off these services (save $14-25!) after having completed the class!
Fall 2021 Music Theory Graduate Review offerings: week of November 1, November 15, November 29, December 13.
Spring 2022 Music Theory Graduate Review offerings: week of January 31, February 7.
AND JUST WHO AM I?
I’m Dr. Amy! I am a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky (GO CATS!) and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. I have taught music in some form or other for the past 27 years, worked with students from age 3 to 93, and from public/parochial school music to college music theory and history to church choir.
I am also a flutist and I LOVE to play! But while I have taught in different states (Kentucky, Indiana, and Iowa) and in different ways (I’ve had my own office but I’ve also done “art on a cart,” where I travelled to different classrooms teaching music), the main thing I love best is figuring out ways to explain things that might be difficult for some people to understand in a way that makes it EASIER for them.
One of the very best teachers I ever had in music theory at UK explained things so well to me that I’m pretty sure she could have explained calculus to me and it would have been fine. (Note: NOT ALL music theorists are good at mathematics - I suck at it.) That’s why I love what I do! In those rare moments when I’m not theorizing or fluting, I am usually working on cross-stitch projects or just spending time with my cats, Neville Goodfellow and Primrose Nevermean.
