It pays to understand music theory if you'd like to learn more about music, work in a job with music, or improve how you play a musical instrument.
For those in Austin, which styles itself as the “Live Music Capital of the World”, there's naturally a lot of interest in learning more about music.
Here, we'll see what music theory is, how you can study it, and the best places in and around Austin to do it.
Check out a quick summary of the institutions mentioned in this article, but keep reading to find out more.
| Institution | Summary |
|---|---|
| Armstrong Community Music School | Offers non-degree programs with certificates in music theory, private lessons, and composition workshops. |
| Austin Community College (ACC) - Department of Music | Provides courses in fundamentals of music theory, harmony, counterpoint, and ear training; offers Associate of Arts (AA) in Music. |
| Concordia University Texas | A private university offering a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music with courses in music theory, composition, and arranging. |
| Huston-Tillotson University | A historically black university offering a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in music, with courses in music theory, aural skills, and composition. |
| School of Rock Austin | Provides music theory courses at beginner to advanced levels, focusing on contemporary music styles. |
| Southwestern University | A liberal arts college offering Bachelor of Music (BM) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees with courses in music theory, counterpoint, and orchestration. |
| St. Edward's University | A private Catholic university offering a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music with courses in harmony, counterpoint, and popular music theory. |
| Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) | Offers specialized courses for visually impaired students, including music theory, ear training, and adaptive technology for music. |
| Texas State University | Provides undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, including courses in music theory, composition, and contemporary music theory. |
| The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) - Butler School of Music | Offers Bachelor, Master, Doctoral, and PhD programs in music with a strong focus on music theory, composition, and 20th-century music. |
What Is Music Theory?
Music theory is essentially the study of the fundamental elements that make up music and how they interact to create what we understand as music.
Music theory includes elements such as pitch, scales and keys, intervals, chords and harmony, melody, and rhythm.
Understanding music theory can help musicians understand why and how certain elements of music work together and the kinds of results they produce. This knowledge can help them not only write and perform music but also talk about it with other musicians.
Studying music theory will teach you about harmonies, progressions, and melodies and help you compose better songs.
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) - Butler School of Music
UT Austin's Butler School of Music is an excellent option for anyone studying music and music theory.
After all, the school offers academic music qualifications at various levels:
- Bachelor of Music (BM)
- Master of Music (MM)
- Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
- PhD in Music Theory
Students, particularly undergraduates, can pick courses on music theory, aural skills, counterpoint, music analysis, composition and arranging, and 20th-century music theory.
Of course, this isn't the only college in the United States offering these kinds of courses, and there are plenty of places to study music theory in Chicago if you're looking for something in the Midwest.
Austin Community College (ACC) - Department of Music
ACC offers courses on the fundamentals of music theory, harmony, counterpoint, analysis, sight singing and ear training, and music composition.
Through Austin Community College's Department of Music, students can earn qualifications such as an Associate of Arts (AA) in Music or a Certificate in Commercial Music.
Huston-Tillotson University
Huston-Tillotson University is a private, historically black university that offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in music.
Students in this program can study music theory across various levels, aural skills, harmony and counterpoint, composition, and music history courses to complement their overall music education.
Concordia University Texas
Concordia University is a private university offering a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music program. Courses available to students include dedicated music theory courses, aural skills, music analysis and arranging, music composition, and music history.
If you're interested in contemporary music theory, though, you might be interested in studying music theory in Atlanta, Georgia.
Southwestern University
Southwestern University is in Georgetown, about 30 miles north of Austin. This private liberal arts college offers Bachelor of Music (BM) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music degrees.
Students looking to graduate in either of these programs can study dedicated music theory courses and courses on counterpoint, orchestration, music analysis, composition and arranging, and aural skills.
St. Edward's University
St. Edward's University is a private, Catholic university offering a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in music with options to study music theory, harmony and counterpoint, ear training, arranging and composition, and popular music theory, which focuses on contemporary styles of music.
Armstrong Community Music School
Armstong Community Music School is five miles west of downtown Austin in West Lake Hills.
This music school doesn't offer formal degrees or qualifications, but it does offer certificates for those who complete the music programs.
This is a good option for musicians or students interested in learning about music theory for themselves or those who already have a job in music and would like to brush up on certain skills.
Classes at various levels of music theory, private music theory lessons, and music composition workshops are available.
Texas State University
Texas State University is in San Marcos, about 30 miles south of downtown Austin. It offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music: the Bachelor of Music (BM) and the Master of Music (MM).
Courses available include music theory, ear training, music analysis and composition, counterpoint, contemporary music theory, and orchestration.
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI)
The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) doesn't offer degrees, but it does offer a range of courses in music.
These courses include basic music theory for visually impaired students, ear training, piano theory and music composition, and technology and music, which uses adaptive technology for theory study.
School of Rock Austin
School of Rock Austin is another institution that teaches music theory but doesn't offer formal degrees of qualifications.
It offers music theory courses for different levels, including beginners, intermediate, and advanced courses. The advanced courses mainly focus on contemporary music styles.
Ear training, aural skills, and composition and songwriting courses are also available.
Jobs That Require Music Theory
So why should you learn music theory?
As we mentioned, it can help make you a better musician. Still, it's also expected of anyone applying to jobs in music.
Here are some jobs you can do with music and music theory qualifications.
Composer
Composers need to compose songs or pieces of music for all manner of applications. They could write music for movies, TV, video games, theater, or orchestras.
This means they need to listen to different kinds of music, understand music theory, and create pieces that match either the sounds required by their clients or the pieces they'd like to compose.
Music Teacher/Professor
After studying music theory, why not teach it?
The top music students tend to have many options when they graduate, and one of these options is to go into teaching or academia.
They can help students better understand songs through music theory and work in Austin or elsewhere in the United States.
Music Arranger
A music arranger is somebody who changes or adapts songs and pieces for different groups of instruments.
For example, they may use the knowledge gained from studying music theory to adjust a guitar piece for the piano or vice versa.
Musicians need to know how orchestration, harmony, and structure work, so an educational background in music education always helps.
Music Director / Conductor
Musical directors and conductors lead orchestras, choirs, and other musical ensembles during their performances.
To interpret the pieces accurately during a performance, they need to understand how music is structured and have an excellent knowledge of form, harmony, and rhythm.
Orchestrator
An orchestrator is a person who works with a composer to take their ideas and write more detailed parts for individual instruments in ensembles.
They need to know aspects of music theory like harmony, instrumentation, and counterpoint.
Remember earlier when we said music theory was essential for anyone needing to talk about music?
An orchestrator working with a composer is a fine example of how music theory provides musicians with a common language they can all understand.
If you want to learn music theory in the performing arts capital of the United States, why not consider studying music theory in Los Angeles?
Musicologist
A musicologist studies the history, theory, and cultural impact of music. They tend to work at academic institutions, conducting research and teaching other musicology students.
Their knowledge of music theory is paramount, as they often analyze musical forms, styles, and structures across various genres of music and periods of history.
Sound Designer
Sound designers use music and audio in movies, TV shows, video games, and theater.
They need to understand music theory to help them create compositions and soundscapes.
Session Musician
Session musicians are musicians hired to play in recording studios or live settings. They're typically expected to show up and play the music.
Music theory is essential, as students are expected to be able to sight-read music and understand chord progressions, harmonies, and the structures of different musical genres.
Songwriter
If you want to work as a songwriter, it really helps to understand music theory. While plenty of successful musicians have never studied music theory, they're usually the exception rather than the rule.
Music theory can help songwriters create better melodies, chord progressions, and song structures.
If you'd like to get started with music theory, here's an excellent video explaining it.
Music Therapist
Music therapists use music to help patients, and an understanding of music theory, particularly rhythm, harmony, and mood, will help them use music as effectively as possible.
Where would you like to study music theory in Austin, Texas?
Learn Music Theory with Superprof
So far, we've spoken about what you can do with music theory and the places in Austin where you could study it, but have you considered studying with a private tutor?
After all, private tutors adapt their sessions to the individual student rather than offering predetermined courses.
If you have a specific aspect of music theory that you struggle with, your tutor could focus on that.
Similarly, if you need music theory for a certain job or career, a tutor can focus on the aspects of music theory that are most required.
Luckily for you, there are plenty of talented private tutors in Austin, Texas and across the world.
You can find them easily on the Superprof website!
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