• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
  • Online Degrees
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Join for Free
    Coursera
    • Browse
    • Music Theory

    Music Theory Courses Online

    Learn music theory for a deeper understanding of music. Study scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony.

    Skip to search results

    Filter by

    Subject
    Required
     *

    Language
    Required
     *

    The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

    Learning Product
    Required
     *

    Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.
    Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.
    Learn a new tool or skill in an interactive, hands-on environment.
    Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.
    Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.
    Earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree online for a fraction of the cost of in-person learning.
    Earn a university-issued career credential in a flexible, interactive format.

    Level
    Required
     *

    Duration
    Required
     *

    Skills
    Required
     *

    Subtitles
    Required
     *

    Educator
    Required
     *

    Explore the Music Theory Course Catalog

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      T

      Tecnológico de Monterrey

      Leading a Family Business

      Skills you'll gain: Succession Planning, Innovation, Business Modeling, Value Propositions, Governance, Entrepreneurship, Lean Methodologies, Leadership and Management, Leadership, Business Leadership, Corporate Strategy, New Product Development, Ideation, Strategic Leadership, Business Strategy, Sales Presentations, Leadership Development, New Business Development, Talent Management, Business Planning

      4.3
      Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
      ·
      48 reviews

      Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      D

      Deep Teaching Solutions

      Critical Thinking: A Brain-Based Guide for the ChatGPT Era

      Skills you'll gain: Deductive Reasoning, Cognitive flexibility, Logical Reasoning, Critical Thinking, Curiosity, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Analytical Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Creative Thinking, Open Mindset, Complex Problem Solving, Independent Thinking, Strategic Thinking, Lifelong Learning, ChatGPT, Innovation, Systems Thinking, Social Sciences, Behavioral Economics

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      94 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Beyond the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Addressing Sustainability and Development

      Skills you'll gain: Innovation, Environmental Science, Complex Problem Solving, Solution Delivery, Environment, Socioeconomics, Systems Thinking, Social Justice, Sustainability Reporting, Environmental Policy, Economics

      Build toward a degree

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      659 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      AI Workflow: Business Priorities and Data Ingestion

      Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Strategic Thinking, Data Pipelines, Data Validation, Data Processing, Workflow Management, Data Quality, Business Priorities, NumPy, IBM Cloud, Python Programming

      4.3
      Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
      ·
      164 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • N

      National Taiwan University

      人工智慧:機器學習與理論基礎 (Artificial Intelligence - Learning & Theory)

      Skills you'll gain: Reinforcement Learning, Theoretical Computer Science, Supervised Learning, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Statistical Machine Learning, Machine Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Decision Tree Learning, Algorithms, Unsupervised Learning, Network Architecture

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      59 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Michigan

      AI for Creative Work

      Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Generative AI, Legal Risk, Artificial Intelligence, Art History, Creativity, Risk Analysis, Image Analysis, OpenAI, Business Risk Management, Prompt Engineering, Business Ethics, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Innovation, Environmental Issue, Design Software, ChatGPT, Corporate Sustainability, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Music History

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      35 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Sustainable Food Systems

      Skills you'll gain: Systems Thinking, Food and Beverage, Nutrition and Diet, Economics, Environmental Science, Environment, Sustainability Reporting, Water Resources, Land Management, Environmental Resource Management, Natural Resource Management, Cultural Diversity, Consumer Behaviour

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      34 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • E

      ESSEC Business School

      L'avenir de la décision : connaître et agir en complexité

      Skills you'll gain: Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Business Risk Management, Systems Thinking, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Management, Socioeconomics, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Cultural Diversity, Organizational Effectiveness, Business, Marketing, Information Technology, Innovation

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      382 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Deep Learning for Healthcare

      Skills you'll gain: Deep Learning, Health Informatics, Generative AI, Image Analysis, Machine Learning, Keras (Neural Network Library), Applied Machine Learning, Health Care, Artificial Neural Networks, Supervised Learning, Tensorflow, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Machine Learning Methods, PyTorch (Machine Learning Library), Graph Theory, Computer Vision, Network Analysis, Machine Learning Software, Unsupervised Learning, Program Development

      3.2
      Rating, 3.2 out of 5 stars
      ·
      45 reviews

      Advanced · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • T

      The University of Melbourne

      Basic Modeling for Discrete Optimization

      Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Modeling, Graph Theory, Decision Support Systems, Computational Thinking, Network Model, Data Modeling, Data Structures

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      451 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • T

      The University of Sydney

      Understanding the Australian economy: An introduction to macroeconomic and financial policies

      Skills you'll gain: Economics, Financial Policy, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Financial Regulation, Fiscal Management, International Finance, Public Policies, Policy Analysis, Supply And Demand, Banking, Crisis Intervention

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      63 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IE Business School

      Trade, Immigration and Exchange Rates in a Globalized World

      Skills you'll gain: International Finance, Economics, Financial Policy, International Relations, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Economic Development, Global Marketing, Socioeconomics, Supply And Demand, Demography, Analysis, Trend Analysis

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      297 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Music Theory learners also search

    Music
    Music Business
    Music Technology
    Music History
    Classical Music
    Music Production
    Piano Theory
    Media
    1…636465…145

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular music theory courses

    • Leading a Family Business: Tecnológico de Monterrey
    • Critical Thinking: A Brain-Based Guide for the ChatGPT Era: Deep Teaching Solutions
    • Beyond the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Addressing Sustainability and Development: University of Michigan
    • AI Workflow: Business Priorities and Data Ingestion: IBM
    • 人工智慧:機器學習與理論基礎 (Artificial Intelligence - Learning & Theory): National Taiwan University
    • AI for Creative Work: University of Michigan
    • Sustainable Food Systems: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • L'avenir de la décision : connaître et agir en complexité: ESSEC Business School
    • Deep Learning for Healthcare: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Basic Modeling for Discrete Optimization: The University of Melbourne

    Frequently Asked Questions about Music Theory

    Understanding why you want to learn music theory, whether to improve your musical skills, compose music, or understand music better, will keep you motivated. Regular practice, including listening and analyzing music, can help solidify concepts. Join online communities like music forums or local groups for support and insight. Work on real projects such as composing or analyzing pieces of music. A great starting point is Fundamentals of Music Theory by The University of Edinburgh on Coursera.‎

    Coursera has some great free music theory courses, such as Edinburgh Music Theory, Audio Signal Processing and The Music and Life of Beethoven. These online classes can help you deepen your understanding of music theory, audio technology and Beethoven's rich musical legacy.‎

    If you are new to music theory, Berklee's Musicianship Specialization is the perfect place to start. It offers courses such as Music Theory, Play Guitar, Piano Techniques for Modern Music, and Guitar Theory that can help you get a great foundation in music theory and unlock your musical potential.‎

    For those looking to learn more advanced music theory, Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony, Piano Scales for Modern Music, Beethoven's Piano Sonatas, The Blues and Jazz Improvisation courses are excellent resources to expand your musical knowledge!‎

    Music theory is the set of rules that govern how to create and communicate music. You can think of music theory as the equivalent of grammar when it comes to language. The fundamentals of melody, rhythm, and harmony are the main elements of music theory. Many of the skills you need to play an instrument or sing are part of music theory as well—elements like notes, chords, scales, keys, and tempo. Music theory also explains the qualities that make a song or piece of music good, such as pitch, tone, dynamics, and timbre.‎

    A knowledge of music theory can help you become a better singer, musician, songwriter, or performer. It’s true that you can write a quality song or compose a compelling piece of music with no understanding of music theory whatsoever, but knowing the logic behind good music helps you to create works listeners will enjoy. Music theory isn’t a set of hard and fast rules you must obey every time, but it helps you communicate and connect better with the music that you create. Understanding music theory also makes it easier to conquer more complex musical forms and styles.‎

    If you’re a professional musician or aspire to be one, having a knowledge of music theory can help you play pieces and sing songs better. You’ll also compose better songs or works when you understand how music theory works. Music theory also comes in handy if you’re teaching music because you can impart your knowledge to your students and help them succeed. Even if you don’t play music professionally, you can benefit from knowing music theory because it helps you think strategically, and making music for fun spurs your creativity as well, both of which can enhance any career you have.‎

    Music theory is a broad discipline, but online courses on Coursera can help you learn it with the flexibility that fits your lifestyle. You’ll have access to information that can help you gain a foothold in the concepts and rules that govern music theory, and you’ll also have the opportunity to discover practical applications that can help you compose and perform music more effectively. As a professional musician looking to take your career to the next level or a living room performer who wants to hone your skills, online courses on Coursera provide resources that can help you attain the knowledge you need to make music with greater confidence.‎

    Online Music Theory courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Music Theory skills. Choose from a wide range of Music Theory courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Music Theory, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

    Other topics to explore

    Arts and Humanities
    338 courses
    Business
    1095 courses
    Computer Science
    668 courses
    Data Science
    425 courses
    Information Technology
    145 courses
    Health
    471 courses
    Math and Logic
    70 courses
    Personal Development
    137 courses
    Physical Science and Engineering
    413 courses
    Social Sciences
    401 courses
    Language Learning
    150 courses

    Coursera Footer

    Technical Skills

    • ChatGPT
    • Coding
    • Computer Science
    • Cybersecurity
    • DevOps
    • Ethical Hacking
    • Generative AI
    • Java Programming
    • Python
    • Web Development

    Analytical Skills

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Big Data
    • Business Analysis
    • Data Analytics
    • Data Science
    • Financial Modeling
    • Machine Learning
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft Power BI
    • SQL

    Business Skills

    • Accounting
    • Digital Marketing
    • E-commerce
    • Finance
    • Google
    • Graphic Design
    • IBM
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Social Media Marketing

    Career Resources

    • Essential IT Certifications
    • High-Income Skills to Learn
    • How to Get a PMP Certification
    • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
    • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
    • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
    • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
    • Career Development Resources
    • Career Aptitude Test
    • Share your Coursera Learning Story

    Coursera

    • About
    • What We Offer
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Catalog
    • Coursera Plus
    • Professional Certificates
    • MasterTrack® Certificates
    • Degrees
    • For Enterprise
    • For Government
    • For Campus
    • Become a Partner
    • Social Impact
    • Free Courses
    • ECTS Credit Recommendations

    Community

    • Learners
    • Partners
    • Beta Testers
    • Blog
    • The Coursera Podcast
    • Tech Blog
    • Teaching Center

    More

    • Press
    • Investors
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Articles
    • Directory
    • Affiliates
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Do Not Sell/Share
    Learn Anywhere
    Download on the App Store
    Get it on Google Play
    Logo of Certified B Corporation
    © 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Coursera Facebook
    • Coursera Linkedin
    • Coursera Twitter
    • Coursera YouTube
    • Coursera Instagram
    • Coursera TikTok