Most people can hear when a chord progression sounds right, but can't explain why. This course breaks down the mechanics of harmony—how chords relate to each other, why certain progressions create tension or resolution, and what makes a cadence work.

We start with diatonic harmony: triads, seventh chords, and Roman numeral analysis. You'll analyze excerpts from Bach chorales, jazz standards, and pop songs to see how the same principles apply across genres. Then we cover secondary dominants, borrowed chords, and modulation techniques.

What you'll actually do

Expect hands-on work analyzing scores, not just memorizing theory rules. Each session includes real examples—Beatles songs, Chopin preludes, contemporary film scores. You'll learn to recognize patterns by ear and sight, then apply that knowledge to your own compositions or arrangements.

Prerequisites

You should read treble and bass clef comfortably and know basic major and minor scales. If you can identify intervals by sight, you're ready.