Musiktheorie – Lernen

Learning Path

The music theory course is structured in three progressive levels: from the basics of musical notation right through to advanced jazz harmonic techniques. Each module includes clear explanations, practical examples and references to the standard repertoire.

LEVEL 1: BASICS

Basic music theory: notation, rhythm, intervals, scales and triads

1.1 Musical Notation

Staff, clefs, notes and accidents

1.2 Rhythm and Time

Note values, rests, simple and compound metres

1.3 Intervals

Melodic, harmonic, major, minor and perfect intervals

1.4 Fundamental Scales

Major and minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic), circle of fifths

1.5 Basic Triads

Major, minor, diminished, augmented and suspended triads

1.6 Structure of the Agreements

Interval formulas, seventh chords, extensions and altered chords

LEVEL 2: INTERMEDIATE JAZZ THEORY

Modes, seventh chords, extensions and jazz progressions

2.1 Major scales

The 7 modes: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian

2.2 Seventh chords

Maj7, 7, m7, m7b5, dim7 and major scale harmonisation

2.3 Harmonic Extensions

Ninth, eleventh, thirteenth and available voltages

2.4 Pentatonic Scales and Blues

Pentatonic scales, the blues scale and blue notes

2.5 Jazz Standard Chord Progressions

II-V-I, turnarounds, blues forms and rhythm changes

2.6 Voice leading

Guide tones, counter-motion, rootless voicings and jazz voice leading

LEVEL 3: ADVANCED JAZZ THEORY

Advanced modal scales, substitutions, voicings and reharmonisation

3.1 Advanced Modal Scales

Dominant Lydian, super-Lydian, diminished, hexatonic, bebop

3.2 Harmonic Substitutions

Tritone sub, secondary dominants, modal interchange

3.3 Advanced Voicing Techniques

Drop-2/3, quartal, upper structures, rootless voicing

3.4 Harmonic Analysis

Roman numerals, harmonic functions, modulation

3.5 Reharmonisation

Techniques of reharmonisation and jazz composition

3.6 Improvisation Strategies

Target notes, chromatic approaches, enclosures, motivic development