Music Theory Lessons

What is music theory and why is it important?

Music theory is the study of the fundamental elements of music, such as pitch, rhythm, harmony, melody, form, and style. Music theory helps you to understand how music works, how to read and write music notation, how to analyse and appreciate different genres and styles of music, and how to create your own music.

Who can benefit from learning music theory?

Anyone who loves music can benefit from learning music theory, whether you are a beginner or an advanced musician, a singer or an instrumentalist, a composer or an arranger, a student or a teacher, or just a music enthusiast. Learning music theory can enhance your musical skills, broaden your musical knowledge, and enrich your musical experience.

What are the prerequisites for learning music theory?

There are no prerequisites for learning music theory, as we offer courses for different levels of learners, from basic to advanced. However, some basic musical skills, such as playing an instrument, singing, or reading music notation, can help you to learn music theory more easily and effectively.

What do you learn in music theory classes?

Here are some of the main topics that you learn in music theory lessons:

Musical notation. This is the system of symbols and signs that represent musical sounds, such as notes, rests, clefs, keys, time signatures, accidentals, dynamics, articulations, and expressions. You learn how to read, write, and interpret musical notation, as well as how to use different types of notation, such as staff notation, tablature, chord symbols, and lead sheets.

Scales and modes. These are the collections of pitches that form the basis of musical melodies and harmonies, such as major, minor, pentatonic, chromatic, modal, and exotic scales. You learn how to construct, identify, and play different scales and modes, as well as how to use them in various musical contexts and genres.

Intervals and chords. These are the combinations of two or more pitches that create musical harmony and texture, such as unisons, octaves, thirds, fifths, sevenths, triads, and extended chords. You learn how to measure, name, and classify different intervals and chords, as well as how to build, voice, and invert them.

Rhythm and meter. These are the elements of music that organize musical time and movement, such as beats, pulses, subdivisions, syncopation, tempo, accent, and meter. You learn how to count, clap, and tap different rhythms and meters, as well as how to notate and perform them.

Harmony and voice leading. These are the principles and techniques that govern the progression and arrangement of chords and melodies, such as tonality, modality, functional harmony, chord functions, cadences, and voice leading. You learn how to analyze, compose, and improvise harmonic sequences and melodic lines, as well as how to apply them to various musical styles and forms.

Musical analysis and composition. These are the processes and methods of examining and creating music, such as form, structure, style, genre, motif, theme, variation, development, and arrangement. You learn how to identify, compare, and critique different musical works and genres, as well as how to create your own original music using the tools and concepts of music theory.

What is the average cost of music theory lessons in Singapore?

The cost of music theory lessons in Singapore varies depending on the level, duration, and type of lessons. On average you should expect to pay S$40-60/hour for beginner level lessons and up to S$80-120/hour for grade 8 lessons with a professional teacher.