You'll learn about concepts in music theory and notation in order to help you understand various music examples from a number of different Western music traditions (including classical, pop and rock, film music, musicals, and folk/traditional). You’ll be encouraged to select your own examples of music you wish to understand better through independent study tasks. In the final assessment, you’ll be able to choose from three options to suit your strengths.
The core teaching material is grouped into four blocks. The first two blocks introduce you to the fundamentals of music theory and notation, an awareness of which will help you to understand a wide variety of music. The third block examines how music is structured, and the final block develops your skills in harmonisation. Throughout the module, there are various activity types that will help you to engage with the teaching materials. These include:
Your understanding of music theory concepts will be enriched through practical exercises. These are designed to improve your aural skills and musicianship, and to develop your proficiency with handling notation. You'll use specialist music-notation software, that is supplied as part of the module materials, which you'll need to download and install before you begin. You'll also need to buy a MIDI keyboard controller to use with the software.
You don't need any prior knowledge of musical notation in order to study this module, but some basic preparation in advance will be helpful. You'll be directed to websites where you can gain relevant information. The module is presented online, with two accompanying printed scores booklets, and the text is interspersed with musical recordings and guidance videos.
There will be a series of online tutorials run by your tutor and other members of the teaching team. You'll also be able to interact with other students as you undertake tasks on the module’s online forum.
As well as developing your understanding of music theory, you'll be introduced to industry-standard music-notation software, helping you to gain skills that can be used in many different music-related careers.
This module is considered to be an acceptable alternative for Grade 6 Music Theory by the Associated Boards of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate.
There will be three day-schools that you are strongly encouraged to attend. Some may have options for both face-to-face and online participation, and some will only be online. Student numbers, the distribution of students and where tutors are based will affect the locations of where any face-to-face day schools are held.
Course work includes:
You'll be provided with two printed scores booklets and have access to a module website, which includes:
A MIDI keyboard controller (recommended 49 full-size keys, but smaller or larger is acceptable, with USB-MIDI connection).
You'll need a listening setup with which you can listen to audio at a reasonably high quality. Ideally, you'll be able to plug your computer into good quality studio monitors, a stereo hi-fi system, or at least some kind of external loudspeakers. Good-quality headphones are a suitable alternative. Internal laptop speakers or mobile phone speakers are unsuitable as they are too limited in terms of sound quality, frequency response, and volume.
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
A234 is a compulsory module in our:
A234 is an option module in our:
Understanding music starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2031.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no entry requirements for this module, but you are advised to study one or more OU level 1 Arts modules, such as Discovering the arts and humanities (A111) or Revolutions (A113), which will provide you with relevant study, writing, and listening skills.
If you are studying this module as part of either our music degree or diploma, you should be guided by your prior experience and existing skills in deciding whether to study this module or Music, sound and technology (A232) first, as there is no recommended order in which you study them.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
The following free courses on OpenLearn are recommended as preparation:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying A234 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
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There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
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Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
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We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
