Music Theory

Overview

Students at the basic and intermediate level get one lesson a week in music theory and ear training. Students at the advanced level get one hour in tonal harmony, ear training and music history. We recommend that students start music theory as they’re starting 5th grade in grade school.

Music Theory: At the basic level the focus is on traditional music theory based on the books Ópus I-III and Hlustun og greining – frá klassík til popps. At the intermediate level they use Ópus IV-V, assignments by Aagot, Robert Starer rhythmic training and Hlustun og greining – klassík, djass, rokk og heimstónlist.

Tonal Harmony: Students get to know tonal harmony for beginners. The course takes place over two years. It takes place with lectures and assignments that for the most part take place during the lesson. Exams take place in the spring.

Music History: This will cover music history from the medieval times to today. The course takes place with lectures from the teacher and some from the students. There will also be a listening part. Exams take place in the spring.

Rakel Axelsdóttir, basic level – Music Theory 1-3
Gunnar Karel Másson, intermediate and advanced level

Lesson times:

Music Theory 1	Thursdays at 15:00-15:55
Music theory 2	Thursdays at 16:00-16:55
Music Theory 3	Thursdays at 17:00-17:55

Music theory intermediate	Wednesdays at 16:20-17:15
Music Theory advanced	Wednesdays at 17:20-18:15

Teachers

Rakel María Axelsdóttir

Rakel María began her music studies at 8 years old, starting with piano. In her teenage years, she began taking voice lessons along with her piano studies. Rakel studied Musicology at Aalborg University where the emphasis was both on classical and rhythmic music. In Iceland, Rakel earned a BA degree and teaching qualifications from the Iceland Academy of the Arts, with voice as her main instrument. She also focused on creative music communication in her studies. Rakel has taught music in preschools and grade school as well as teaching pre-studies in music and music theory.

Gunnar Karel Másson

Gunnar Karel was born in Reykjavík in 1984. He began his music studies at a young age and has played many different instruments. As a composer, Gunnar focuses mainly on chamber music as he finds that his music gets the attention it deserves in smaller setups. Besides composing, he has been making his mark as a concert producer. He founded the Sonic Festival in Copenhagen with Filip C. de Melo in 2012. He is also one of the curators for the Peripheriberry Group and the artistic director of Dark Music Days in Reykjavík. Gunnar is a member of the Danish Composers Society, the theatre group 16 elskendur and the Icelandic Composers Collective S.L.Á.T.U.R.