Each week for 8 weeks, we will meet for a 2-hour Zoom session where I’ll answer your questions and go deep on the course materials with extra content. Coaching includes work on your own songs for those who want to share them and get feedback.

included gift: introduction to the keyboard (free bonus lesson)

the course –

Part I: THE FOUNDATIONS

LESSON 1: fundamentals

• the tonal system.
• major and minor scales
• intervals
• the four basic triads – major, minor, augmented, diminished

LESSON 2: scale degrees and harmonic functions in major keys

• chord-scale relationship
• harmonic functions
• harmonic functions in the major scale
• basic chord progressions in major scales, including analysis and practice  

LESSON 3: relative & parallel keys, modes, minor scales, harmonic functions in minor

• parallel scales and modes
• the natural minor scale: harmonic functions and scale degrees
• the harmonic minor scale
• the melodic minor scale
• harmonic progressions in all minor scales  

LESSON 4: Rhythm

• basic concepts of beat, meter, rhythmic values and rhythm patterns
• simple and dotted rhythmic values
• subdivisions
• simple and complex meters
• combining meters in composition and songwriting
• accents and syncopations
• common rhythms, examples, analysis

LESSON 5: Melody

• how to write a good melody
• the rhythmic aspect of the melody
• the meeting point of melody and harmony

LESSON 6: The Circle Of Fifths

• what is the circle of fifths
• the keys with sharps and with flats, and enharmonic keys
• the relative minor scales in the circle
• how to use the circle for harmonic progressions
• hidden tricks in the circle
• the circle of fifths chord progression, examples and song analysis 

LESSON 7: Color chords – 7th, 6th, and sus chords, upper structures

• chord voicing  
• sus chords
• 4-note chords
• 7th chords, independently, and in relation to the major and minor scale degrees
• 6th chords
• chord extensions and added tensions: 9, 11, and 13 (+alterations)

LESSON 8: Borrowed and sub chords

• borrowed chords, modal interchange
• secondary dominants
• tritone substitution

LESSON 9: Voice Leading and Counterpoint

• voice leading
• second voice and counterpoint

LESSON 10: harmonizing melodic bass lines

• notes for harmonizing melodic bass lines
• harmonic techniques for smooth bass line harmonization 
• harmonizing with augmented and diminished chords