With the constant support and encouragement of my friends I made it through my Music Theory and Composition course at Harvard Extension School.

I had been eyeing this class for a long time but I hesitated because there was a prerequisite and I lacked confidence in myself to do this course.

I finally decided I was ready to give it a try. I had many “what the heck did I get myself into” moments throughout the semester. It was probably a good thing I wasn’t aware of some of the assignments we had to do (like the writing a percussion piece) b/c I wouldn’t have known I had the ability to do it. I often didn’t know I could do it until I was actually doing it.

At one point in the class the teacher explained that our final exam was to compose a piece of music (yikes!). I was not expecting that and started to panic a little bit. But I pushed through it. I composed a song to the best of my ability.

That last class was a concert and students either performed their pieces or the professor or his assistant could perform it if we wanted. The teacher’s assistant performed my piece.

It really was a wonderful experience. There were so many incredibly talented people in the class. My piece ended up being played last. Even though I wasn’t going to be playing it was still a little nervous. I felt that my little song was crap compared to some of the others-LOL. But when it was done the teacher liked it and asked for it to be play again. Phew, what a relieve that was.

I learned so much in this class and even it though it had its stressful moments it was still a lot of fun. I think I will actually miss going every week.

I haven’t decided what I will do next as far as classes are concerned. But I am going to take the summer off and review everything I learned so far. The professor said we should learn this stuff so it becomes second nature so that is my plan. I would also like to be brave enough someday to be able to perform a piece myself.

Thanks to all PW members because this site has really helped me along my piano playing journey. You’re the best!!!

Congratulations, Kymber, and thanks for sharing your experience. It's inspiring, and I'm happy for you.

Steven

What a great story. I enjoyed my music theory class, but it didn't include composition. I think it's wonderful when we find out we can do more than we thought. What an inspiration you are!

Cathy

Way to go. So has the class caused you to approach your piano playing any differently?

GregF

Thanks for the kind replies

Yes, I think the class definitely helped me to see and understand music differently. Now when I sit down to play I don't panic as much because all those things on that piece of paper don't seem so foreign.

It also helped me to believe that i can actually learn this stuff. It all used to seem to confusing to me. I never thought I'd get it. Slowing but surely it's starting to sink in.

More congratulations. It must feel great to finish a course such as that and realize it was all possible! I looked at the website and was interested in the book list. Do you recommend any of the material that was listed? The Poetics of Music by Igor Stravinsky sounds interesting. Others were: Practical Beginning Theory, Introduction to Music Reaing, How to Read Music and The Norton Manual of Musical Notation. Any good ones there?

Hi Kymber,

Congratulations aplenty!

You are always so encouraging and kind to people here. Thank you. Cathy said you are an inspiration and I have to second that. I bought a book on music composition, thinking it was "something I could pick up on the side," but I soon discovered that my deficits in music education were too vast to be cancelled by reading a book. I think I'd like to take a class in theory/composition some day, but I'm still frightened that I can't do it. Maybe soon.

LOL, I know what you mean about being nervous! When I took composition class and we had to sit there while Finale played our assignment for the whole class I would be in knots inside! But it's so hard to be objective about your own works. If people seem to like it by their body language as it is performed (they seem interested, not fidgety) that's a really good way to tell they enjoyed it for real.

Congrats on stepping out and trying something new. Try not to wait too long before getting back into it because you've built up momentum. Do you have any goals set for yourself? That will help too.

Congratulations, Kymber! That is a HUGE milestone, indeed!

I'm sure I'm not the only person who would love to hear your composition, if you felt comfortable posting a recording. (And I would understand perfectly if you did not.)

Hello, Kymber, if I graduated from Harvard, anybody can! (That's why it's so hard to get in).

Seriously, congratulations. It is a huge milestone. I agree with Morodiene. Keep at it--well, take the summer off, but don't let too much grass grow under your feet.

Again, congrats!

Congratulations Kymber!

The only one I can really recommend is The Norton Manual of Musical Notation because I used this the most. It was a great resource and I referred to this often when writing my piece. The others I didn’t refer to as much.

The Poetics of Music by Igor Stravinsky was interesting but we didn’t end up reading much of the book and it takes a while to understand what he’s getting at. I would like to this again later at a more leisurely pace.

Practical Beginning Theory: We really didn’t refer to this book too much. I found this book a bit wordy and I think if I didn’t already know some of this stuff I would have found the book a bit confusing. However, that’s keeping in mind I am dyslexic and I find most things are too wordy-LOL What I did for some thing, like naming intervals, was I make simple reference charts. I found this easier when studying and it just made the information a little clearer for me.

Introduction to Music Reaing, How to Read Music
I ended up not needing this book so I didn’t even look at it once…oh well.


I would highly recommend the web site we used for class: musictheory.net

You are too kind.

Before I took this class I read a few books (I find that some books explain things better than others). Some of the stuff made my eyes glaze over. But, when I was in class and the professor explained it somehow it clicked and made sense. The class I was in had people of varying levels and one was taking it for a second time.

Also, I find that my frame of mind makes a huge difference. If I keep telling myself it is difficult and confusing then it usually is. If I try to keep an open relaxed mind I don’t block the information from getting in. So BELIEVE that you will get it and you will.

So… what am I getting at?

I know it all can be overwhelming but just take it one step at a time-little by little. Start with very basic simple stuff and then build on that. And just keep at it. The more you expose yourself to it the more it will start to become familiar and make sense. Soon you will find yourself in a class thinking "hey! I'm getting this stuff".
I think you should go for it- take the class.

Ok I rambled on long enough.

Thanks.
I might record it at some point because my friends want to hear it too. If I can manage to do that I will post it. Even though I feel a little shy about it. But I guess I need to step out of my comfort zone

Congratulations, Kymber!

What an accomplishment! And great to know more about that class, since I'm in the area - great to be able to recommend something like that to people who are interested!

I do hope you record your piece -- getting out of your comfort zone would be a GREAT thing and I'm sure you'd get excellent feedback that would only boost your confidence!

Best,

Kim