Have you ever wondered why music by certain composers or style periods sounds the way it does? Understanding music theory and the harmonic language of a style can be rewarding in its own right, but it is also a means towards greater musical understanding and expression. Developing analysis skills gives you musical superpowers, helping you to learn, play and teach music better.
Lona Kozik’s new course on the Online Academy, History, Harmony & Style blends analysis and music history to help you understand and engage with music on a deeper level. Using some of the most beloved pieces in the classical repertoire, the course examines the harmonic language of classical music and details the system and operations of functional diatonic harmony.
Unit one starts with the Baroque period and features two preludes by Bach, the preludes in C Major and C Minor from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1. We start with a broad view of the 18th century to locate these pieces within the historical narrative before turning our attention to analysing the details of their harmonic structure.
How it works?
The course combines online content comprising video lessons and activities which are followed-up with live online workshops. The video lessons introduce concepts which are then put into practice in two analysis activities before each workshop. The workshops are live sessions and your opportunity to discuss the piece in depth, ask any questions that came up and compare your analysis with Lona’s and others in the group.
The first unit features two workshops on Thursday 27 June and Thursday 11 July. Be sure to watch the two introduction videos and two theory videos before these sessions, and give yourself some time to work on the activity. The workshops will be recorded if you are unable to join us live, and you will still be able to watch the recordings and view Lona’s analysis afterwards.
How to sign-up?
The video lessons from this course are included with an Online Academy subscription and subscribers also get 40% off the workshop tickets (please sign-in to your account and click here to purchase your tickets). If you are not a subscriber, the full course (video lessons and workshop tickets) is available for once-off purchase without a subscription here.
Further music theory resources
- There’s More to Playing the Piano (course or eBook) – Interactive guide to music theory for pianists, from basics to just beyond Grade 5, ideal for self-study or refreshing knowledge. Click here to view on the Online Academy or Click here to purchase it from our store as an eBook.
- There’s Even More to Playing the Piano (course) – Practical introduction to theory beyond Grade 5, covering harmony, counterpoint, form, and an introduction to jazz. Click here to view on the Online Academy.
- Creative Practising Using Keyboard Harmony (workshop recordings & resources) – Two-part workshop series that uses keyboard harmony to enhance practising, interpreting, and memorising music for intermediate and advanced pianists. Click here to find out more and to purchase access to the workshop recordings and resources.