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Music Theory for Songwriters: Harmony

via LinkedIn Learning

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Overview

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Learn music theory through the lens of songwriting. These tutorials cover the basics of harmony: minor scales, modes, 7th chords, modulations, and more.

Syllabus

Introduction
  • Welcome
  • What you should know before watching this course
  • Why music theory?
1. Minor Keys and Modes
  • The natural minor scale
  • The harmonic and melodic minor scales
  • Basic minor scale chord progressions
  • A song in a minor key
  • What are modes?
  • Dorian and Phrygian modes
  • Lydian and Mixolydian modes
  • Locrian mode and the whole tone scale
2. Four-Note Chords and Beyond
  • Major 7th chords
  • Minor 7th chords
  • Dominant 7th chords
  • Half-diminished 7th chords
  • Chord extensions
  • The color tones
  • Triads with an added note
  • Diminished 7th chords
  • Using 7th chords in a song
3. Key Centers, Modulations, and Alternate Bass Notes
  • Transposing a song for feel change or different voice ranges
  • Modulation
  • Modulation within a progression
  • The pedal point
  • Slash chords or upper structures
  • Building different harmonies from a single melody
  • Exploring modulation and pedal point in a song
Conclusion
  • Next steps

Taught by

Julian Velard

Reviews

4.9 rating at LinkedIn Learning based on 60 ratings

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