The harmony core curriculum provides an essential foundation for every Berklee student. Housed within the core music curriculum, the courses that comprise our curriculum are at the very heart of the Berklee experience and are the result of a realization that was revolutionary when Berklee was founded: that theory can be understood and taught by examining and analyzing contemporary popular music.

Our commitment to giving students the tools to understand and create their music is as strong as ever. The radical increase in stylistic diversity since the 1950s gives us an ever-broader field to survey, but the Berklee harmony program provides the skills you will need to navigate a changing environment. Through the program, you will gain a thorough understanding of common harmonic practice, melodic development, and the relationship between melody and harmony in contemporary styles.  

Placement

Before your first semester at Berklee, you are required to take the Entering Student Placement Exam (ESPA). This will help us to determine which harmony and arranging courses to place you.

Projects

In addition to weekly assignments, you will write and record at least one project a semester. The project can be recorded in collaboration with fellow students or at a MIDI workstation.


Visit the below pages to learn more:

Program Details