Music Theory for Beginners
Short Courses – 10 Week – Online
Overview
These classes will be taught online and you can take part from the comfort of your own home.
This ten-week online course will cover basic music literacy including note reading up to two ledger lines in treble and bass clef. We will explore rhythms and time signatures in simple and compound time and key signatures up to three sharps and flats. The content covered will reach up to approximately Grade 3 on the ABRSM music theory syllabus. We will also cover information for aural tests at grades 1-3 as well as a brief introduction to music history.
Held over seven weeks, you will be encouraged to apply your learning in a practical context using your instrument/voice.
By the end of this course, you can expect to have:
- developed music literacy skills in treble and bass clef
- developed knowledge and understanding of rhythms and time signatures in simple and compound time.
- developed knowledge of key signatures with up to three sharps and flats.
- developed knowledge and understanding of transposition from treble to bass clef and vice versa.
- applied several concepts in relation to aural skills.
- developed a basic understanding of music history.
Please note, on application you will be asked to confirm that you have read and understood our Online Teaching Policy – please read this in advance of applying.
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Contact us
If you have any questions about this course before you book it, please get in touch with us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk.
FAQs
Please see our FAQs for more information about all aspects of choosing, booking and attending your course.
The important details
Age:
10+
Cost:
£ 175
Date:
15 April - 17 June 2025
Time:
Tuesdays, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Venue:
Online
Course Information
This course is designed for students, teenagers and adults alike, who hope to develop their music theory skills and who may be interested in sitting the Grade 3 Music Theory exam (ABRSM).
No prior theory skills are required to undertake the course.
Throughout the course you will cover the following areas of study:
- clefs — treble/bass
- key signatures up to 3 sharps/flats
- constructing scales
- basic transposition skills
- diatonic intervals
- rhythmic notation
- simple and compound time
- introduction to music history
- aural skills
You will need access to a device such as a desktop computer, laptop or tablet which allows you to access the internet with a screen large enough to see the group members during online sessions.
You will need internet connection which is fast enough to take part in live teaching sessions.
You may also want to consider whether you have a space you can use where you can work without interruption. Please keep in mind that the other students taking part in the course will be able to see what is behind you when you are online.
If you have any questions in advance of booking, please contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk
This course will run online on Tuesday evenings for 10 -weeks from 15 April – 17 June 2025, 6:00pm – 7:30pm.
The course fee is £175 which is the equivalent to £17.50 per session, and can be paid in full or in instalments before the course end date.
Further Information
We want to ensure as many children, young people and adult learners as possible can access the performing and production arts education that is offered through Short Courses at RCS. Financial support options available for Short Courses include:
Agnes Allan Bursary
Agnes Allan was a teacher, passionate about inclusion, and this bursary scheme exists to offer support to students to participate in the performing or production arts.
The Agnes Allan Bursary provides some support to students who may require financial assistance to take part in a short course in dance, drama, music, production or screen.
Anyone who wishes to take part in our Short Courses and faces a financial barrier can apply for bursary support to help meet the cost of tuition fees.
James McAvoy Drama Scholarships
BAFTA-winning and Golden Globe nominated actor James McAvoy is committed to nurturing the creative potential of young Scots who experience barriers to access and participate in drama at RCS Short Courses.
James is a graduate of the BA Acting programme at RCS and Patron of the Junior Conservatoire of Drama. The Glasgow-born actor has funded the new James McAvoy Drama Scholarships to enable young people to experience the world-class drama training at RCS as he did.
The scholarship aims to support applicants who would otherwise find meeting the cost of tuition fees at RCS a barrier to accessing pre-Higher Education drama training at the Royal Conservatoire.
You can find more information about these funds on our Financial Support page.
We run various promotional offers for our Short Courses and Summer Schools. You can view our current offers on our Promotional Offers page.
You should contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk to request your discount code before booking a course.
Please note, only one promotional offer can be applied per course and should be used at the time of booking as we are unable to apply a discounts retrospectively.
Please see our Short Course FAQs for more information about all aspects of choosing, booking and attending your course.
Please see our Short Courses – Terms and Conditions for more information about your contract with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Cancellation and Refund policies.
Sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest updates of courses, offers and news from Short Courses. You can do this by completing this short online form found here.
Short Courses
shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk
Summer Schools
summerschools@rcs.ac.uk
Credit-Rated
credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk
Bursary and Scholarship
bursaryscholarship@rcs.ac.uk
