Homeschool Elective Credits

Anna Papayan

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Music Theory

MUSIC THEORY 1 – BEGINNER LEVEL

Course Description:

Music Theory 1 introduces students to the foundational elements of written music. Students learn note reading, rhythm values, basic scales, key signatures, intervals, and simple ear‑training concepts. This level prepares students to read and understand the musical language used in lessons and performance.

Skills Covered:

– Staff, clefs, and note names
– Rhythm values: whole, half, quarter, eighth notes/rests
– Time signatures (4/4, 3/4, 2/4)
– Major scale construction (C, G, F)
– Key signatures (introductory)
– Simple intervals: 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths
– Basic ear‑training: high/low, same/different
– Intro to chords (I and V)

Credit Recommendation:

0.5–1.0 elective credit.

MUSIC THEORY 2 – EARLY INTERMEDIATE

Course Description:

Music Theory 2 builds on foundational knowledge and prepares students for intermediate musicianship. Students expand their understanding of rhythm, scales, key signatures, intervals, chords, and simple harmonic progressions. Ear‑training and sight‑reading skills are emphasized.

Skills Covered:

– Expanded rhythm: dotted notes, ties, syncopation
– Major scales in additional keys
– Minor scales: natural and harmonic minor
– Key signatures (through 3 sharps/3 flats)
– Intervals up to an octave
– Triads: major, minor, diminished
– Chord functions: I, IV, V, vi
– Cadences: authentic, plagal
– Melody composition and basic analysis

Credit Recommendation:

0.5–1.0 elective credit.

MUSIC THEORY 3 – INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Course Description:

Music Theory 3 advances students into intermediate musicianship. This level focuses on more complex scales, chords, harmony, rhythm, and analytical skills. Students learn functional harmony, chord progressions, transposition, and introductory composition
concepts.

Skills Covered:

– Advanced rhythm: sixteenth notes, syncopation, compound meters
– Major and minor scales (all keys)
– Modes: Ionian, Dorian, Mixolydian (introduction)
– Key signatures through 5 sharps/5 flats
– Intervals: perfect, major, minor, augmented, diminished
– Triads and four‑note chords (7th chords)
– Chord progressions: I–vi–IV–V, ii–V–I
– Transposition for instruments
– Melody writing and harmonization

Credit Recommendation:

0.5–1.0 elective credit.

MUSIC THEORY 4 – ADVANCED LEVEL

Course Description:

Music Theory 4 prepares students for advanced musicianship, composition, high‑level performance, and college‑prep theory. Students study complex harmony, form, counterpoint basics, analysis, and advanced ear‑training.

Skills Covered:

– Complex rhythm: irregular meters, polyrhythms (intro)
– All scales and modes (full study)
– Secondary dominants and leading‑tone chords
– Advanced four‑chord progressions
– Non‑chord tones and voice‑leading rules
– Counterpoint basics (first and second species)
– Form: binary, ternary, rondo, theme & variations
– Harmonic and melodic analysis
– Two‑part composition and arranging

Credit Recommendation:

1.0 elective credit recommended.

Piano

PIANO 1 – BEGINNER LEVEL

Course Description:

Piano 1 introduces students to the foundations of piano playing, music reading, and basic musicianship. Students learn proper posture, hand position, basic note reading, simple rhythms, and beginner repertoire. Emphasis is placed on confidence-building, steady practice habits, and fundamental technique.

Skills Covered:

– Keyboard geography
– Proper hand shape and posture
– Reading notes on the grand staff
– Rhythm basics: quarter, half, whole notes
– Simple scales: C Major
– Beginner repertoire

Credit Recommendation:

0.5–1.0 elective credit depending on lesson length and practice hours.

PIANO 2 – EARLY INTERMEDIATE

Course Description:

Piano 2 expands on foundational skills with an introduction to more complex rhythms, expanded hand positions, and intermediate beginner repertoire. Students strengthen reading fluency, refine technique, and develop greater independence in both hands.

Skills Covered:

– Expanded note reading
– Technique: legato, staccato, basic dynamics
– Scales: C, G, F Major
– Early intermediate repertoire
– Sight‑reading fundamentals

Credit Recommendation:

0.5–1.0 elective credit depending on weekly study commitment.

PIANO 3 – INTERMEDIATE

Course Description:

Piano 3 focuses on developing expressive playing, stronger technique, and more advanced reading skills. Students learn chord patterns, more challenging repertoire, and increased musical interpretation. Preparation for performances and evaluations increases.

Skills Covered:

– Intermediate rhythm and reading
– Articulation, phrasing, dynamic shaping
– Scales & cadence patterns in multiple keys
– Chord progressions and lead‑sheet skills
– Intermediate repertoire across styles

Credit Recommendation:

0.5–1.0 elective credit.

PIANO 4 – LATE INTERMEDIATE / EARLY ADVANCED

Course Description:

Piano 4 prepares students for advanced repertoire, auditions, and higher‑level performance skills. Students refine technique, consistency, musical expression, and interpretive ability. This level emphasizes independence, confidence, and artistic development.

Skills Covered:

– Full technical development (scales, arpeggios, chord work)
– Advanced rhythm & reading
– Multi‑page repertoire preparation
– Style study: classical, jazz, pop
– Performance polish and stage readiness

Credit Recommendation:

1 full elective credit recommended.

Guitar

GUITAR 1 – BEGINNER LEVEL

Course Description:

Guitar 1 introduces students to the basics of guitar playing, including instrument anatomy, proper hand position, basic chords, simple melodies, and introductory music reading. Students will learn foundational strumming patterns and develop confidence in
playing beginner pieces.

Skills Covered:

– Guitar parts and tuning
– Proper posture and hand position
– Basic open chords (C, G, D, Em, Am)
– Intro to tablature and chord charts
– Simple strumming patterns
– Beginner songs and riffs

Credit Recommendation:

0.5–1.0 elective credit based on lesson length and practice hours.

GUITAR 2 – EARLY INTERMEDIATE

Course Description:

Guitar 2 builds on foundational skills with expanded chord knowledge, improved strumming patterns, and early intermediate pieces. Students begin reading standard notation, strengthening technique, and playing songs with more rhythmic complexity.

Skills Covered:

– Chords: A, E, Dm, and variations
– Reading both tablature and basic notation
– Intermediate strumming: syncopation, rests, accents
– Introduction to fingerstyle patterns
– Playing full-length songs
– Understanding song structure

Credit Recommendation:

0.5–1.0 elective credit.

GUITAR 3 – INTERMEDIATE

Course Description:

Guitar 3 introduces scale study, movable chords, barre chords, fingerstyle development, and increased technical control. Students explore multiple styles and learn to perform more complex repertoire with expression and accuracy.

Skills Covered:

– Major & minor scales
– Barre chords (F, Bm, etc.)
– Fingerpicking patterns
– Rhythm reading with sixteenth notes
– Lead guitar basics (simple solos, riffs)
– Intermediate repertoire across genres

Credit Recommendation:

0.5–1.0 elective credit.

GUITAR 4 – LATE INTERMEDIATE / EARLY ADVANCED

Course Description:

Guitar 4 prepares students for advanced performance, ensemble work, and stylistic versatility. Students refine technique, expand their repertoire, and learn advanced chord voicings and improvisation skills.

Skills Covered:

– Full fretboard navigation
– Advanced fingerstyle and strumming techniques
– Improvisation using scales and modes
– Extended chords (7ths, 9ths, etc.)
– Multi‑page and performance‑level repertoire
– Expression, tone control, and stage presence

Credit Recommendation:

1 full elective credit recommended.