The Fundamentals of Music Theory
With a one-on-one adaptation of core principles of music theory, the eight-week course will tailor to the goals of each student and impart a more holistic understanding of music.
Original Composition Exercise
Adult Course - The goals for this course include a grasp of the following topics: to learn the fundamentals of music, develop skills for composing music, gain a deeper understanding of harmony, melody, form, and be equipped with the tools for basic analysis of baroque through contemporary music. Advanced topics include jazz theory, Schenkerian analysis, post-tonal theory, or counterpoint.
Youth course - In this skills-based course, students will learn the practical skills important for every young musician. Techniques will be taught through written assignments, online drills, aural exercises, basic keyboard training, and composition or other creative projects.
Triadic Construction Example from Lesson Materials
What students are saying about the course
“I have been studying with David for about a year and a half. My initial goal was just to learn theory so i could be a better player. However, with David’s encouragement and help, i started composing. It is something i never thought i could do and without David it probably would not have.”
“The music theory course is a great way to learn about the music you play. You don’t have to know anything about theory for it to make sense, and it is an awesome resource to have if you play an instrument.”
“David’s a wonderful teacher — full of optimism and patience, as well as knowledge.”
“David Stevens made a complicated topic easy to learn for me, as someone who has played instruments for a long time but has never delved into the structure and organization of music. He was also flexible with the curriculum and provided helpful on-line resources too that I could use at home.”
“I learned the basics. David was very helpful and patient.”
Sample Schenkerian Graph of Brahms’s Piano Trio Op. 8 Revised
More about the Instructor
David Stevens is currently on faculty at All Newton Music School, Powers Music School, and applied faculty at Gordon College. He completed a Masters Degree in Music Theory (2016) at the New England Conservatory and has applied his theoretical skills as a writer for the Boston Musical Intelligencer; editor and engraver for composers’ Robert Honstein, Stratis Minakakis, Charles Shadle, Ivan Tcherepnin, and others; teachers’ assistant to Deborah Stein (Tonal Theory) and Ran Blake (Contemporary Improvisation); and founding advisor to the Gunther Schuller Society. As an educator he has tutored theory students from elementary school to doctoral candidates.