Western Music Theory

  Music Notation Basics

• Learn the staff, clefs (treble and bass), and
  note names.


• Understand note values, rests, and time
  signatures.

  Scales and Key Signatures

• Study major and minor scales and their patterns.


• Learn to identify and write key signatures.

  Intervals

• Understand the concept of intervals (distance
  between notes).


• Differentiate between major, minor, perfect,
  augmented, and diminished intervals.

  Chords and Harmony

• Explore triads (major, minor, diminished,
  augmented).


• Learn seventh chords and their inversions.


• Understand chord progressions and cadences.

  Rhythm and Meter

• Practice reading and writing rhythms.


• Explore simple, compound, and complex meters.

  Dynamics and Expression

• Learn markings for volume (e.g., piano, forte)
  and articulation (e.g., staccato, legato).


• Understand how dynamics contribute to musical
  expression.

  Forms and Structures

• Study forms like binary, ternary, rondo, and
  sonata-allegro.


• Understand themes, motifs, and variations.

  Transposition and Modulation

• Learn to transpose music to different keys.


• Understand modulation within compositions.

  Ornamentation and Embellishments

• Explore trills, grace notes, and other decorative
  elements.


• Learn their historical context and usage.

  Historical Context

• Understand Western music periods: Baroque,
  Classical, Romantic, and Modern.


• Learn how theory evolved through these periods.

  Ear Training

• Develop skills to identify intervals, chords, and
  melodies by ear.


• Practice sight-singing and rhythmic dictation.

  Analysis and Composition

• Analyze pieces to understand the use of theory in
  practice.


• Practice composing melodies and harmonizing them.