Music Theory
At CCM Preparatory, we believe that music theory — and not instrumental or vocal studies alone — is essential for students to develop into well-rounded musicians. While music theory basics are part of the curricula in some of our courses, a separate program of theory, ear training and composition study:
- Enhances and increases musical understanding
- Complements skills learned in instrumental and vocal lessons
- Helps students can learn new music more quickly as they begin to recognize and anticipate its different elements.
- Is often a requirement for collegiate study
- Is essential to composing and arranging in classical, jazz and many pop genres
Please note: Students enrolled in private lessons at CCM Prep receive a discount for theory classes.
Music Theory Classes
- Age group: 8-18 years old
- Pre-requisite: None
- Audition: Not required
Level I serves as a direct aid to beginning instrumental study. Ear training focuses on aural recognition of the concepts studied in written theory. Students study solfege and develop the ability to sing simple melodies in major and minor keys while conducting the meter. In addition, students train their inner ears by learning how to notate simple melodic and rhythmic dictations. Great emphasis is placed on rhythmic control and proper execution of the subdivisions of the beat. Topics mastered include: treble and bass clefs; major and minor scales and key signatures; diatonic intervals; simple time signatures and rhythmic subdivisions
- Age group: 8-18 years old
- Pre-requisite: Music Theory Level I or equivalent
- Audition: Not required
Level II reviews and builds upon the foundation of Level I and focuses on more challenging sight singing and dictation (melodic and rhythmic.) Students develop the ability to recognize and sing all intervals and triads.Topics mastered at this level include: alto clef; chromatic intervals; triads, seventh chords and their inversions; figured bass; cadences; diatonic church modes; non-harmonic tones and ornaments; transposition; compound time and small-scale musical forms.
- Age group: 8-18 years old
- Pre-requisite: Music Theory Level IIA or instructor permission
- Audition: May be required
Level IIB reviews and builds upon the foundation of Level I and focuses on more challenging sight singing and dictation (melodic and rhythmic.) Students develop the ability to recognize and sing all intervals and triads.Topics mastered at this level include: alto clef; chromatic intervals; triads, seventh chords and their inversions; figured bass; cadences; diatonic church modes; non-harmonic tones and ornaments; transposition; compound time and small-scale musical forms.
- Age group: 8-18 years old
- Pre-requisite: Music Theory Level IIB or instructor permission
- Audition: May be required
Level IIIA is designed for students who already have a secure knowledge of the fundamentals covered in Levels I and II. It focuses on the basic elements of diatonic harmony and functional analysis and introduce four-part harmony before moving to modulation and chromatic harmony. Ear training includes challenging sight singing assignments as well as harmonic, melodic and rhythmic dictations.Topics mastered include: tenor clef; transposition; melody writing; realizing a figured bass; part writing and harmonization of a melody; and large-scale musical forms.
- Age group: 8-18 years old
- Pre-requisite: Music Theory Level IIIA or instructor permission
- Audition: May be required
Level IIIB is designed for students who already have a secure knowledge of the fundamentals taught in Levels I and II. It focuses on the basic elements of diatonic harmony and functional analysis and introduce four-part harmony before moving on to modulation and chromatic harmony. The ear training will include challenging sight singing assignments as well as harmonic, melodic and rhythmic dictations.Topics mastered include: tenor clef; transposition; melody writing; realizing a figured bass; part writing and harmonization of a melody; and large-scale musical forms.