Studying Music Theory
NOTE: Please email a location nearest you to check availability.
This course will introduce students to the theory of music, providing them with the skills needed to read and write Western music notation, as well as to understand, analyse, and listen informedly. It will cover material such as pitches and scales, intervals, clefs, rhythm, form, meter, phrases and cadences, and basic harmony.
This course covers the fundamentals of Western music theory, from the absolute basics to some more advanced concepts and, as such, is the perfect course for beginners and more experienced musicians alike.
Music theory is a study that allows us to understand the language of music. Basic music theory examines key signatures, pitches, intervals, scales, chords, and other music fundamentals. It also provides insight into the basic building blocks of music that form harmony, melody, and rhythm.
Knowing music theory can open up new possibilities to writing and arranging music and musical concepts. Music theory is an essential component for learning the fundamentals of music, and being able to truly excel at playing a musical instrument. Learning music theory sets students on the right path to understanding how music is written and how to interpret musical notes.
If you or your child is considering learning a musical instrument, musical theory is the fundamental backbone behind the learning process. Incorporating music theory into your private music lessons can give you a boost should you wish to study music at the university/college level, pursue music composition, or if you just enjoy learning the theory behind the songs you know and love.
What do you learn?
Each level of theory the RCM offers a progression based learning environment that builds upon a student’s understanding of musical concepts. Starting from Level 5, students will learn eight core principles that subsequent levels will further reinforce and expand. For a brief look into each level, read below to see how the progression works across a student’s musical theory journey.
Preparatory to Level 4 RCM Theory Courses at select locations!
If you are interested in learning all the basic fundamentals of theory, from notation, reading rhythm, and writing melodies please inquire. This program is open to all instruments, and even newer musicians! The course itself will be a total of 15 hours.
For more details regarding dates and times, please contact your location as they may vary.
General Summary:
- Reading notation on a grand staff.
- Rudimentary rhythm concepts, dotted rhythms, and time signatures.
- Structure of major and minor scales.
- Recognizing, identifying, and writing major and minor intervals and chords.
- A brief glimpse into writing melodies and songwriting.
Course Prerequisites:
Students are suggested to have approximately one year of private lessons before enrolling in this course. For general suggestions on when it is appropriate to enrol, look below for more info or consult with your instructors and/or front desk administration of this course is right for you!
- Completion of Piano Faber 2B
- Completion Level 1 Guitar
- Approximately one year of voice lessons.
- Completion of Level 1 RCM Violin
Level 5
• Pitch and Notation – Ledger Lines, Enharmonic Equivalents
• Rhythm and Meter – Rudimentary note rests, note values, and simple time.
• Key Signatures – Scales up to the 4th sharp or flat.
• Intervals – Identifying, and writing common major and minor intervals
• Chords and Harmony – Identifying, and writing primary triads and dominant sevenths.
• Melody Writing, Form and Analysis – Identifying a key of a piece and parallel periods.
• Music History – Learning the musical language to express ideas using the right terms.
• Music Terms and Signs – Learning rudimentary terms such as antantino, expressivo and tranquillo.
Level 6
• Pitch and Notation – Transposition of major keys by intervals.
• Rhythm and Meter – Compound time and completing rests in compound meter.
• Key Signatures – All major and minor scales.
• Intervals – Identifying, and writing all intervals as well as augmented and diminished intervals.
• Chords and Harmony – Open chords, cadences, mediant triads etc…
• Melody Writing, Form and Analysis – Identifying excerpts without a key signature.
• Music History – Musical styles of the Baroque and Classical Era
• Music Terms and Signs – Learning intermediate terms such as animato, con grazia, and meno mosso.
Level 7
• Pitch and Notation – Transposition of keys up and down intervals.
• Rhythm and Meter – Double dotted notes, rests, and irregular groupings
• Key Signatures – Chromatic, wholetone, octatonic, and blues scales.
• Intervals – Inversions and intervals, and mastery over all intervals.
• Chords and Harmony – Writing cadences, functional chord symbols and their inversions.
• Melody Writing, Form and Analysis – Passing tones, neighbor tones and writing/identifying contrasting and common periods.
• Music History – Musical styles of the Romantic and Modern Eras
• Music Terms and Signs – Learning advanced terms such as morendo, martellato, and sotto voce.
Level 8
• Pitch and Notation – Learning the alto clef, tenor clefs and arranging key signatures.
• Rhythm and Meter – Hybrid meter and mixed meters.
• Key Signatures – Diatonic modes such as phrygian, dorian, and ionian modes Intervals – Compound intervals and their inversions.
• Chords and Harmony – Root/Quality chord symbols and inversions, plagal cadences and cadences in a chorale style.
• Melody Writing, Form and Analysis – Melody writing in minor keys and harmonic rhythm
• Music History – Learning styles of the Medieval, Renaissance, and World Music Eras.
• Music Terms and Signs – Learning French and Germans terms such as lentement, modere, and langsam.
Free Theory Placement Tool
The RCM Theory Assessment tool is a way for prospective theory students to gauge their level of theory knowledge. If a student is unsure of what level they need to purchse, we ask that the student navigate to the RCM website to register for the tool. There is no cost to the student for an assessment.
Digital Learning
Arcadia Academy of Music is pleased to announce our partnership with the Royal Conservatory of Music with our joint effort in providing the best theory lessons across the GTA. Using the RCM’s Digital Learning Suite in tandem with our tried and true brick-and-mortar instruction, we wish to elevate your learning to a higher level. From here, you can choose a list of courses that are offered across our ten locations as well as choose a desired time slot most convenient for you.
These time slots don’t work for you or perhaps prefer private lessons? We accommodate those too! Our locations and instructors would be more than happy to work with you to fit your busy schedules. Feel free to contact us and we’ll help you get sorted straight away.
What is the RCM Digital Suite?
The RCM Digital Suite is the new premiere method for incorporating digital learning with everyday theory courses that our instructors are already well versed in. From repeatable and randomized quizzes and tests to listening and reading examples built into the program, students can expect to fully be prepared for examinations.
What can you expect from Arcadia Academy of Music?
Even in modern times, there can never be a replacement for an experienced theory instructor hand-crafted learning solutions for each student. We pride ourselves in finding the best match for our students whether it be privately or in group lessons. By using the new Digital Suite as a premiere resource, we can prepare our students to the highest of standards for their musical journey.
When choosing a time that works for you.
With the power of modern technology, any student can partake in any lesson virtually anywhere they wish at a time that works best for them. If your closest Arcadia Academy of Music Franchise does not have a time slot that works for you, there are nine others that can possibly fit your schedule. Students can partake in group lessons virtually or privately if they so desire and due to the nature of the Digital Learning Suite, both the instructor and student can have full access to the material required to successfully learn and grow their musical theory.
RCM Theory Lessons
Arcadia Academy of Music and the Digital Learning Suite
As a joint effort with our partners at the Royal Conservatory of Music, we at Arcadia Academy of Music will provide you in class lessons to coincide with the RCM’s Digital Learning Suite (DLS). When you enroll into any of our courses, you will receive classroom sessions (group or private) that will guide you through the
Refund Policy
All theory course purchases will be refundable 30-days after enrollment in the course or by the end of the second session (whichever comes first). However, an administration fee of $50 will be charged should the refund request be finalized.
Register For Private Lessons
Purchase Level 5 RCM
This Package includes:
• 12 hours of private ONLINE instruction scheduled at your convenience. (Due to Covid-19, in class lessons are not currently available.) – $600 value.
• 1 Year of Unlimited access to the RCM Digital Learning Suite. – $50.00 value
• Access to one final exam to be completed within one year (which will be accessible once finished the course). – $125.00 value
The Celebrate Theory Book must be purchased (purchase is mandatory) from the location you registered with
or ordered online from the RCM website.
Upon completion of registration, your lessons will be scheduled by an Arcadia administrative team member.
Total Estimated Time of Completion: approx. 30 – 40 hours.
Purchase Level 6 RCM
This Package includes:
• 12 hours of private ONLINE instruction scheduled at your convenience. (Due to Covid-19, in class lessons are not currently available.) – $600 value.
• 1 Year of Unlimited access to the RCM Digital Learning Suite. – $40.00 value
• Access to one final exam to be completed within one year (which will be accessible once finished the course). – $135.00 value
The Celebrate Theory Book must be purchased (purchase is mandatory) from the location you registered with
or ordered online from the RCM website.
Upon completion of registration, your lessons will be scheduled by an Arcadia administrative team member.
Total Estimated Time of Completion: approx. 30 – 40 hours.
Purchase Level 7 RCM
This Package includes:
• 13 hours of private ONLINE instruction scheduled at your convenience. (Due to Covid-19, in class lessons are not currently available.) – $650 value.
• 1 Year of Unlimited access to the RCM Digital Learning Suite. – $30.00 value
• Access to one final exam to be completed within one year (which will be accessible once finished the course). – $145.00 value
The Celebrate Theory Book must be purchased (purchase is mandatory) from the location you registered with
or ordered online from the RCM website.
Upon completion of registration, your lessons will be scheduled by an Arcadia administrative team member.
Total Estimated Time of Completion: approx. 30 – 40 hours.
Purchase Level 8 RCM
This Package includes:
• 14 hours of private ONLINE instruction scheduled at your convenience. (Due to Covid-19, in class lessons are not currently available.) – $700 value.
• 1 Year of Unlimited access to the RCM Digital Learning Suite. – $20.00 value
• Access to one final exam to be completed within one year (which will be accessible once finished the course). – $155.00 value
The Celebrate Theory Book must be purchased (purchase is mandatory) from the location you registered with
or ordered online from the RCM website.
Upon completion of registration, your lessons will be scheduled by an Arcadia administrative team member.
Total Estimated Time of Completion: approx. 35 – 45 hours.
Register For Group Lessons
Level 5 RCM Group
This Package includes:
• 20 hours of group ONLINE instruction scheduled at your convenience. (Due to Covid-19, in class lessons are not currently available.) – $350 value.
• 1 Year of Unlimited access to the RCM Digital Learning Suite. – $50.00 value
• Access to one final exam to be completed within one year (which will be accessible once finished the course). – $125.00 value
The Celebrate Theory Book must be purchased (purchase is mandatory) from the location you registered with
or ordered online from the RCM website.
Options for group lessons are (to be chosen on registration page):
1. 8 weeks – approx. 2.5 hours per weeks
2. 12 weeks – approx. 1.5 hours per weeks
3. 16 weeks – approx. 75 minutes per week
Total Estimated Time of Completion: approx. 30 – 40 hours.
Level 6 RCM Group
This Package includes:
• 20 hours of group ONLINE instruction scheduled at your convenience. (Due to Covid-19, in class lessons are not currently available.) – $350 value.
• 1 Year of Unlimited access to the RCM Digital Learning Suite. – $50.00 value
• Access to one final exam to be completed within one year (which will be accessible once finished the course). – $125.00 value
The Celebrate Theory Book must be purchased (purchase is mandatory) from the location you registered with
or ordered online from the RCM website.
Options for group lessons are (to be chosen on registration page):
1. 8 weeks – approx. 2.5 hours per weeks
2. 12 weeks – approx. 1.5 hours per weeks
3. 16 weeks – approx. 75 minutes per week
Total Estimated Time of Completion: approx. 30 – 40 hours.
Level 7 RCM Group
This Package includes:
• 20 hours of group ONLINE instruction scheduled at your convenience. (Due to Covid-19, in class lessons are not currently available.) – $350 value.
• 1 Year of Unlimited access to the RCM Digital Learning Suite. – $50.00 value
• Access to one final exam to be completed within one year (which will be accessible once finished the course). – $125.00 value
The Celebrate Theory Book must be purchased (purchase is mandatory) from the location you registered with
or ordered online from the RCM website.
Options for group lessons are (to be chosen on registration page):
1. 8 weeks – approx. 2.5 hours per weeks
2. 12 weeks – approx. 1.5 hours per weeks
3. 16 weeks – approx. 75 minutes per week
Total Estimated Time of Completion: approx. 30 – 40 hours.
Level 8 RCM Group
This Package includes:
• 20 hours of group ONLINE instruction scheduled at your convenience. (Due to Covid-19, in class lessons are not currently available.) – $350 value.
• 1 Year of Unlimited access to the RCM Digital Learning Suite. – $50.00 value
• Access to one final exam to be completed within one year (which will be accessible once finished the course). – $125.00 value
The Celebrate Theory Book must be purchased (purchase is mandatory) from the location you registered with
or ordered online from the RCM website.
Options for group lessons are (to be chosen on registration page):
1. 8 weeks – approx. 2.5 hours per weeks
2. 12 weeks – approx. 1.5 hours per weeks
3. 16 weeks – approx. 75 minutes per week
Total Estimated Time of Completion: approx. 35 – 45 hours.
