Music Theory Courses

While most professional musicians and songwriters make their craft appear effortless, earning a living through song can be a lot easier with a degree in music theory. In music theory courses, students learn how the concepts behind harmony, rhythm, and lyrics blend to form powerful songs.

The Uses of Music Theory

Many graduates of music theory training programs use their advanced knowledge to help other musicians hone their craft. Music teachers help students to master theory during routine lessons. Ministry leaders help volunteer choir members learn how to master harmony. Therapists use the power of song to help their patients cope with various illnesses or problems.

Berklee College of Music

Advance your career with certification from BerkleeMusic

Become a better performer, arranger, writer, and improviser by developing your listening skills. Learn the fundamental concepts behind rhythm, chords, and harmony and how to apply them creatively. These certificate programs are offered entirely online with Berklee's renowned faculty.

Sell yourself and your talents better by getting certified from a world class provider of music education. Choose from three levels (Master, Professional, Specialist) of certificate programs, each with their own time frame and level of intensity. Study at your convenience and get certified in your field on your time.

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Master Certificates

Theory, Harmony & Ear Training

Maximize your performance, writing, arranging, improvisation, and music comprehension skills by developing your knowledge of music theory, arranging, harmony, and ear training. Through interactive activities, hands-on lessons, and transcription exercises, you'll learn the inner workings of these principal concepts and how to this knowledge to your own music.

Music Theory 101
Basic Ear Training 1
Music Theory 201
Getting Inside Harmony 1
Berklee Keyboard Method
3 Courses from Theory, Harmony & Ear Training Master Electives

To be completed in 2 years (25 credits)

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Professional Certificates

Harmony & Ear Training

The Professional Harmony and Ear Training certificate presents a combination of activities and lessons designed to help you internalize music and develop a firm understanding of the inner workings of harmony and ear training. You'll come to better understand the relationships between notes using the solfege method.

Music Theory 101
Basic Ear Training 1
Getting Inside Harmony 1
Berklee Keyboard Method
Harmonic Ear Training

To be completed in 1 year (14 credits)

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Specialist Certificates

Ear Training

The Specialist Ear Training certificate begins by examining harmony and the rhythms and pulses that drive and measure music. Whether you're playing your instrument, composing, arranging, improvising, or transcribing, the ability to quickly and effectively recognize chord progressions and harmony is a necessity for any musician.

Basic Ear Training 1
Getting Inside Harmony 1
Harmonic Ear Training

To be completed in 3 semesters (8 credits)

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Theory and Harmony

The Specialist Theory and Harmony certificate will help you create a solid base of musical knowledge and deepen your understanding of rhythm, scales, chord progressions, harmony, and keyboard techniques. You'll learn how to use scales, intervals, and chords; write a melody; hear and modify chord progressions; and build your knowledge of chords and lead sheets through the keyboard.