<p>My high school son is looking for a self-paced music theory course. We know of a few books and software packages for music theory, but he'd really like a course with a teacher who can set a curriculum and answer questions as they come up.</p>
<p>My son has two one-month periods in the school year when he can take an immersive elective course - the whole school day is spent on the elective. He's putting together a music class for this year. He's going to start playing a new musical instrument, and he wants to learn music theory along with it.</p>
<p>Do any of you homeschoolers and other enterprising parents have pointers for us? Thanks.</p>
<p>I don't know if it would work within your son's time frame, but EPGY at Stanford offers two online music theory classes: Intro to Music Theory (through both the distance learning program and the online high school) and AP Music Theory (which is offered only through the online high school). We looked into EPGY last year when my son wanted to take AP Music Theory and his small high school didn't offer it. EPGY was willing to let him take a single class through its online high school, but it was not yet accredited, so we turned elsewhere. I know there are many CC parents whose kids have had very successful experiences with EPGY courses in general. It is very expensive.</p>
<p>You might want to contact a local high school to find a tutor. That's what we wound up doing, and it worked out beautifully. An AP Music Theory teacher at a nearby HS agreed to teach my son the course independently. He basically took the course along with her class -- did all of the work, except instead of going to class, he met with her for a couple of hours two or three evenings a month. His high school was on board: They gave him credit and a letter grade, and he got a 5 on the AP exam.</p>
<p>Thanks for the pointer to EPGY - I thought of it right after posting and looked it up. The cost is a barrier, though. We could pay a modest tuition fee, but we couldn't pay what they charge.</p>
<p>The local tutor idea is interesting. We were looking at the "Practica Musica" software from Ars Nova, which looks nice and interactive, but I know my son would like to be able to ask someone questions when he's stuck. I should add - course credit isn't an issue. He won't be getting credit for this elective and that's okay with him. He is just looking for a supportive way to learn the material.</p>