When choosing online music theory classes, students should review the syllabus, check for visual and auditory examples, self-test features, good music terminology, communication with the teacher and other students, general course schedule, transfer credit, teacher qualifications, and cost. Specific goals should be determined and compared to the student’s needs.
People can study music theory online in the same way as other academic subjects. To choose the best classes for music theory, however, students need to ensure that the class objectives meet their needs and thoroughly review the presentation and resources related to course information. Communication and scheduling are also important considerations, as are transfer and credit cost.
The first step in choosing the best online music theory classes is to review the class syllabus and determine what elements of music theory the class will cover. The course outline should not simply indicate course progression. It should also state what the specific goals of the class are, such as identifying various musical meters, intervals, and chord quality. Determining specific goals is important because music theory is an expansive field. Tonal composition based on the diatonic scale and chord progressions and analysis, for example, is drastically different from atonal composition based on the twelve-tone line.
Then look at the visual and auditory examples included in the course. Many people learn well by reading a text, but music is, by definition, an auditory discipline that requires the translation of visual elements into physical sound production. Thus, good online music theory classes should have audio files available for download or streaming and excerpts from scores that exemplify the theory’s concepts and allow the musician to recognize how the concept works in real practice.
Third, check out the self-test features that online music theory classes offer. Music theorists need the opportunity to practice applying concepts and recognizing specific musical elements by ear. Self-test features can check understanding of musical terminology, recognition of intervals and chords, proper use of clefs, and other elements such as range and instrument harmonics. The tools can be on a website or they can be freeware or shareware software programs that the musician can download and use at will. Tools must be relevant to the course objectives and have 24-hour access.
Good online music theory classes also feature good music terminology, such as an online glossary presentation. In bad presentations, the terminology is explained with other musical terminology, which means that someone with no prior musical knowledge cannot really understand the idea in question without looking up additional terms. Good presentation explains each theory concept independently and in layman’s vocabulary.
The ability to communicate with the teacher and other students is also important. Music theory can be complex and confusing; therefore, students need a way to check that they are on track and ask questions as if they were in a physical classroom. The teacher should be easy to reach via email and there should be regular chat sessions scheduled for distance learning group study. This is critical because musicians will struggle later on if they don’t have a solid understanding of the fundamentals.
Also, see the general course schedule. People often choose online, music or other courses because they need to be able to take the course outside of the traditional work and academic day. Compare the schedule with the commitments the student already has. Even if the course has all the theoretical goals the student is looking for, it may not be the best fit if it is fast paced or slow paced. Deadlines for submitting papers should be clear, as should penalties for late submissions.
The ability to transfer credit from music theory classes online is also an issue. Sometimes people find that they would like to change academic institutions, but because different institutions have different curriculum standards, students cannot always guarantee that their music theory credit will be useful elsewhere. This ends up costing the student more money and more time as they have to pay to retake a theory course that meets the institution’s standards. Music departments often have music theory classes – for example, only offering theory I in the fall – so students also pay attention to the transfer process to avoid delays in earning a degree in music theory.
Students wishing to learn music theory online should also investigate the teacher’s qualifications and experience. Check if the teacher is active as a performer or composer and find out how long he has been teaching. View student reviews to determine how the teacher communicates with and assists students.
Cost is the last factor to look at when choosing an online music theory course. No matter how good a music theory class is, it’s not practical if it doesn’t fit into the student’s available budget. At the same time, even excellent courses should not exceed the general market rate for the same information and tools. Comparing fees and syllabi at the same time can clarify which courses provide the most data and resources at the lowest cost.
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