Music Theory: An Introduction



Overview

This online course will cover the basics of classical music theory – notation, rhythm, melody, harmony and form – relating theory to practice with examples from over three centuries of repertoire. 

Theory grows from practice. Each generation of composers 'breaks the rules' and so gives rise to modifications of musical theory. Nonetheless, at heart music theory is simply an attempt to explain our perceptions of music and to provide an efficient vocabulary for its discussion.

Each theoretical concept will be discussed with both its technical and expressive implications in mind and we will look at the way in which theories have changed over the centuries.

Whilst not aimed at a specific exam, the course will provide useful preparation for those taking Associated Board theory exams. 

This course combines online study with a weekly 1-hour live webinar led by your tutor. Find out more about how our short online courses are taught.

Programme details

This course begins on the 12 Jan 2026 which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 19 Jan 2026, 2:30-3:30pm (UK time).

Week 1: Clefs and staff notation. Duration or rhythm – note lengths.

Week 2: Rhythm – dotted notes and rests. Clefs and staff notation - continued.

Week 3: Scales and keys – I. Rhythm – time signatures.

Week 4: Rhythm – grouping of notes. Scales and keys - II.

Week 5: Scales and keys – III. Rhythm - rests and grouping of notes.

Week 6: Rhythm – time signatures. Scales and keys - IV.

Week 7: Scales and keys – V. Rhythm – some more about rests.

Week 8: Rhythm – more on grouping of notes. Scales and keys - VI.

Week 9: Intervals. Rhythm - syncopation.

Week 10: Intervals continued. Rhythm - bars of unequal length and irregular rhythms.

Certification

Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points 

Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework. All those enrolled on an online course are registered for credit and will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

See more information on CATS points

Digital credentials

All students who pass their final assignment will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. 

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £360.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Peter Copley

Peter Copley D.Phil, MA, B.mus is a composer, cellist and pianist. He is a visiting lecturer at OUDCE, the University of Sussex and for the Open University, where he has been a Research Associate for the music faculty.

Course aims

To explain basic music theory, relating it to our fundamental musical perceptions, and to show that, properly used, the language of music theory can be a very efficient tool for discussing music.

By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of basic music theory.

Teaching methods

This course takes place over 10 weeks, with a weekly learning schedule and weekly live webinar held on Microsoft Teams. Shortly before a course commences, students are provided with access to an online virtual learning environment, which houses the course content, including video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials. Any standard web browser can be used to access these materials, but we recommend Google Chrome. Working through these materials over the course of the week will prepare students for a weekly 1-hour live webinar you will share with your expert tutor and fellow students. All courses are structured to amount to 100 study hours, so that on average, you should set aside 10 hours a week for study. Although the course finishes after 10 weeks, all learning materials remain available to all students for 12 months after the course has finished.

All courses are led by an expert tutor. Tutors guide students through the course materials as part of the live interactions during the weekly webinars. Tutors will also provide individualised feedback on your assignments. All online courses are taught in small student cohorts so that you and your peers will form a mutually supportive and vibrant learning community for the duration of the course. You will learn from your fellow students as well as from your tutor, and they will learn from you.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • read basic musical notation;
  • describe basic features of a piece of music using technical language; and
  • relate these features to the expressive purposes of the composer.

Assessment methods

You will be set a portfolio of up to five pieces of work to complete over the duration of the course, one or more of which might be submitted for the purposes of feedback only and will not count towards your final outcome. The other pieces will be submitted for formal assessment at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.

Application

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

 

Level and demands

This course is open to all and no prior knowledge is required.

 

This course is offered at FHEQ Level 4 (i.e. first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments and for the weekly webinar. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours, including those spent in live webinars.

English Language Requirements

We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements please follow this link: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/english-language-requirements

 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support