Monday, Nov. 10, 9:30am
9:30 am - 10:30 am
FREE EVENT
Join us for this-six part course on the music theory behind your favorite pop songs, which we can then apply to write our own song as a class!
Class #1) Hey Jude – Theory and Analysis: Join us as we dive into Hey Jude by The Beatles, exploring its harmonic structure, melodic design, and the musical techniques that make this anthem so enduring.
Class #2) Collaborative Songwriting Workshop #1: In this hands-on workshop, we’ll kick off our collaborative songwriting journey, experimenting with melody and harmony to create an original piece together.
Class #3) The Sound of Silence – Theory and Analysis: We’ll unpack Simon & Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence, examining its haunting harmony, and lyrical phrasing.
Class #4) Collaborative Songwriting Workshop #2: We’ll compose a new piece together, inspired by the music analyzed so far.
Class #5) What a Wonderful World – Theory and Analysis: We’ll explore Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World, focusing on its harmonic palette and expressive melody.
Class #6) Collaborative Songwriting Workshop #3: We’ll compose our final piece, using various techniques and ideas from music theory.
Getting Here
Music Alive! Studio
7950 E. Thompson Peak Parkway
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
7950 East Thompson Peak Parkway
7950 East Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Led By
Jacob Adler
Jacob Adler is a composer, performer, and teacher. He developed and teaches the following courses at Arizona State University: Advanced Rhythm, Fundamentals of Music Notation, 20th Century Theory, and Music Theory for Non-Music Majors. He studied organ performance and the application of Karnatic rhythm to contemporary classical music and improvisation at the Amsterdam Conservatory. His rhythm textbook “Wheels Within Wheels” has sold in over 50 countries. Jacob has taught music theory courses at Paradise Valley Community College and private international courses in microtonality and advanced rhythm. He has given seminars on rhythm, composition and improvisation at the Manhattan School of Music, Issue Project Room in NY, Academy of Music in Łódź, Poland, Göteborg Organ Academy in Sweden, University of Alaska in Fairbanks, Brooklyn College CUNY, and other institutions.
Jacob has directed the Openscore Ensemble at PVCC since 2013, which specializes in creative arrangements of compositions and improvisations – the ensemble has recorded and performed the works of György Ligeti, Steve Reich, Julius Eastman, Olivier Messiaen, Perotin, Arvo Pärt, and ensemble members. In 2019, the Openscore Ensemble performed Philip Glass’ 4-hour opera Einstein on the Beach at the Phoenix Art Museum in collaboration with theater and video artists. In 2023, the ensemble performed Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time.
Jacob has released 6 albums of music, and he performs on the piano, organ, laptop, accordion, tanpura, and tsimbl in several ensembles specializing in early music, contemporary classical, Hindustani, free jazz, and klezmer. He has performed his compositions at Gaudeamus Muziekweek in Amsterdam, Musica Moderna festival in Łódź, Göteborg International Organ Festival in Sweden, the Issue Project Room in New York, and other festivals in Europe and the U.S.