FREE student Course: “Learn Music Theory with Doreen”

By Doreen Gaetano Aiardo

FREE ON YouTube!

This is a series of animated MUSIC THEORY lessons geared toward music students of all ages, all instruments (including voice), whether you are a beginner, or want to expand your theory knowledge or just want a unique refresher. There is always a journey in the process which makes learning engaging, comfortable, entertaining and fun! …and that is the point: to enjoy the process!

Each sequential lesson takes the “group of students” on a silly travel adventure with image-based ways to remember basic music concepts. Students of ALL ages can easily relate and envision themselves joining us on this musical journey, that also adds a touch of humor.

Each lesson is also interactive: After the initial explanation of the material, there is a short “adventure” quiz (or multiple speed quizzes), allowing students to answer out loud, with the answer given immediately following. Students “self-grade” as to how the material “feels so far” and are encouraged to go back or pause if they needed extra time to digest. In addition, this type of engaging learning will help students reflect on their own experiences, gathering their own creative ideas that will enhance their own musical journeys.

All lessons are sequential as the adventures often continue where they left off.

Importantly, many times music theory is formally taught in high school, through the band department. These presentations explain via the keyboard because the piano is unique in that there is one pitch for every note that you can easily see on a keyboard - and not so much on any other instrument, resulting in simplified explanations!

The companion WORKBOOKS (on “PRODUCTS” page) directly correlates to each of the video lessons, with an easy to read BOXED FACT section; REVIEW for writing reinforcement to solidify learning; KNOWLEDGE CHECK quiz noted with a point system, so the worksheet can be self-graded OR part of a teaching curriculum and FLASHCARDS for each unit. (See video trailer at left for more information.)

We all know MUSIC THEORY is VITAL to learning an instrument, because it explains what we are playing. These FREE VIDEOS are my way of explaining the material in the most image-based, memorable and fun way possible! Experiencing the content makes learning so engaging and easily digestible!

The feedback from students, parents, teachers, and retired seniors has been consistently positive and amazing!! A fantastic resource addition for private or public schools, teaching studios, home school programs and self-learners of all ages!

WATCH THE OFFICIAL TRAILER!!

• “I subscribed! Can’t wait for the series!” - homeschool mother

• “Fabulous! Very Cool! I’ll be tuning in!” - voice teacher

Lesson #1 THE KEYBOARD Synopsis:

THE KEYBOARD: (We start here to familiarize all instrumental students with the piano keyboard.) high/middle/low; black key patterns; The Music Alphabet, White Key Letter Recognition; “Check Your Knowledge” - 17 Question Quiz, inspiration and excitement!

Reviews:

• “Awesome! Thank you so much! These are amazing!” - Mother of music student age 8

• “Cool, and I like that it was interactive! - Age 14 Girl

Lesson #2 GRAND STAFF NOTATION Synopsis: (travel to Italy!)

GRAND STAFF NOTATION: Terms: The Staff; placement of notes and how they correlate on the keyboard (high/low); the origin or music notation (a little bit of music history), Staff elements (bar, brace etc.); Join us for a virtual trip to Italy as we properly draw the Treble Clef and Bass Clef; “Check Your Knowledge” - 16 Question Quiz, inspiration and excitement!

Reviews:”

• “My son LOVES these videos!!” - mother of music student age 9

• “Delightful, engaging, cool characters, informative, clever, background music with a driving subtle beat! I love them!” - Nationally certified piano teacher

Lesson #3 TREBLE STAFF Synopsis: (more in Italy!)

TREBLE STAFF LETTER RECOGNITION: Instruments using Treble staff; An explanation of Alto / Viola Clef/Staff; Easy ways to Recognize and remember 12 White Key letter names; “Check Your Knowledge” during three, (3-speed) Italian Car Race flashcard games to boost up Note Recognition, sprinkled with inspiration and excitement!

Reviews:

• “I love these! Informative, easy, eye-catching! Fabulous! Very Cool! I’ll be tuning in every week!” - certified, private voice teacher

Lesson #4 BASS STAFF Synopsis: (skiing in Italy!)

BASS STAFF LETTER RECOGNITION: Instruments using the Bass staff; an explanation of Tenor Clef/ Staff; Easy ways to Recognize and remember 12 White Key letter names: “Check Your Knowledge” during three (3-speed) Italian Alp Skiing Race flashcard games to boost up Note Recognition, sprinkled with cool inspiration and excitement!

Reviews:

• “I can’t wait to go down the slopes again! - and oh I’m also getting faster with Bass Staff Notes!” Student / High School, female

• “This is so good for me! I had music lessons as a kid, and this is a great refresher but with excitement and fun! Thank you!” - Retired age 68

Lesson #5 NOTE & REST VALUES Synopsis: (trip to Germany!)

History of Beats; Note Values of all notes and rests; The proper way to draw notes & rests; 2 Interactive Flashcard Skill Games to quick recall; Tribute to German Composer; Scenic tour of appreciation full of fun travel adventure and uplifting inspiration!

Reviews:

• “I love the analogies in explaining the division of notes and values. Clever!” - Music Educator

• “Lesson 5 may be my favorite! The storyline is terrific, the music is beautiful, and the travel is breathtaking! My students love it!” - Music Educator

Lesson #6 DOTS & TIES Synopsis: (trip to Kenya, Africa!)

Dotted Note Values; Flashcard Quiz on Dotted Note Values; Tied Notes (vs. phrased) notes); total beats; drawing ties; Flashcard Quiz on Tied notes - all presented with a scenic adventure in the wild of nature!

Reviews:

• “Now, I am so aware of dots on my music, plus I learned a lot about wildlife! Let’s go again!” - piano student grade 5

Lesson # 7 STEMS, FLAGS/TAILS Synopsis: (continue in Kenya, Africa!)

Lesson # 6 continues into #7 where we experience musical concepts through nature! Stems on notes; stem values; direction; length; proper drawing of stems. Flagged/Tailed Notes; direction, proper drawing of flags/tails; single and grouped notes; Flashcard Quiz on each section. We have more in common with nature than you think!

Reviews:

• ”Funny and fun! I now understand the meaning of stems and flags and learned more about the animals! I love Kenya!” - student grade 8

Lesson # 8 TIME SIGNATURE Synopsis: (adventures in U.S.A., Caribbean, South America & Austria!)

First, we logically review the set up of the staff, measures, bar lines, rhythms and the now the importance and meaning of the Time Sign. Then, on three continents, we experience the feeling of the rhythms using 4/4 and 3/4 Time Signatures. Flashcard Quiz at the end. This enriching journey helps imagine, experience and ultimately appreciate and remember Time Signatures like never before!

Reviews:

• “Fun surprises! The music was so different in each place! I enjoyed the Big Band, Rock, Calypso and the Tango was so funny! The trip was adventurous and the music was great!” student age 15

• “This is one of my favorites! Informative, entertaining, and a delight!” - student age 70

Lesson # 9 TIME SIGNATURES (continued..) Synopsis: (U.S.A., England, Italy and Ireland!)

We explore the meaning and significance of 2/4, 2/2 and 6/8 Time Signatures and continue continent hopping as we count, feel and dance to these rhythms. A 3-part Flashcard Quiz at the end and Five Lesson Takeaways are explored.

Reviews:

• “I hope I get to really go to these countries! They are all my favorites! I’ll be looking for the jig dancer in the field of cows in Ireland! I can’t wait for the next one!” - music student age 10

Lesson #10 COUNTING RHYTHMS aka Music Math

A quick review of measures, bar lines, Note Values, Rhythms, Time Signatures and now counting rhythms with Quarter Notes/Crotchets, Eighth Notes/Quavers and Sixteenth Notes/Semiquavers and their combinations; Tools and steps for reading single instrument staff rhythms, multiple staff rhythms, ending with Five Lesson Takeaways.

Reviews:

• “I never really had a system of counting. I was close, but now I’m exact. Logical, step by step and easy to understand.” - music student age 13