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The Music of the Beatles

Approx. 14 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Explore the history of the Beatles and their impact on music and culture with this course. Learn about the band's origins, their rise to fame, and their lasting legacy.

Key Learning Points

Discover the cultural and historical context in which the Beatles emerged
Analyze the Beatles' music and lyrics to understand their artistic and cultural significance
Examine the Beatles' influence on popular culture and music

Learning Outcomes

Understand the cultural and historical context of the Beatles' music
Analyze the Beatles' music and lyrics to appreciate their artistic and cultural significance
Appreciate the Beatles' lasting legacy and influence on popular culture and music

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of music theory
Familiarity with Beatles' music

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online self-paced course
Video lectures
Interactive quizzes and assignments

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Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Mark Lewisohn
Paul McCartney

Related Books

Description

The Music of the Beatles will track the musical development of the band, starting from the earliest days in Liverpool and Hamburg, moving through the excitement of Beatlemania, the rush of psychedelia, and the maturity of Abbey Road. While the focus will be on the music, we will also consider how recording techniques, the music business, the music of other artists, and the culture of the 1960s affected John, Paul, George, and Ringo as they created the Beatles repertory.

There is probably no band or artist that has had more written about their music than the Beatles. There are many good books on the band's biography, several insider accounts offering glimpses behind the scenes, books that interpret the meaning of the songs, and even books that catalog dates and people regarding the band. This course will try to synthesize much of that information into an account of the Beatles' development as musicians and songwriters.

Outline

Introduction and Special Features
Introduction
Recommended Books
Andy Babiuk Interview
Walter Everett Interview
Beatles Equipment
Syllabus
Grading and Logistics
Music Fundamentals
About the Professor

Early Day and Success in the UK
Organizing the Biography and Music
Before Beatlemania
Hamburg and Liverpool
The First Recordings for Parlophone
Please Please Me
SCU – Love Me Do, Please Please Me, I Saw Her Standing There
The Beatles and UK Pop, 1963
With the Beatles
SCU - She Loves You, I Want to Hold Your Hand
Early Day and Success in the UK

Success in America and the World
Introduction
The Beatles are Coming!
The Beatles in the Movies
A Hard Day’s Night, the Album
SCU - A Hard Day’s Night, Can’t Buy Me Love, and Any Time At All
Beatles For Sale, Fall 1964
SCU - I’m A Loser and Eight Days a Week
Brian Epstein and George Martin
Success in America and the World

Pop Maturity
Overview of 1965: Beatlemania Continues
Help! The Movie
From Craftsmen to Artists
Help! The Album
SCU - Help!, You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away, I’ve Just Seen a Face, Yesterday
Rubber Soul
SCU - Norwegian Wood, In My Life, Michelle, I’m Looking Through You, If I Needed Someone
Pop Maturity

Psychedelia
The Rigors of Touring and the Freedom of the Studio
Revolver: The Album
SCU - Rain, Tomorrow Never Knows, Eleanor Rigby, For No One, Taxman
On the Way to the Summer of Love
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
SCU - Strawberry Fields, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite, Penny Lane, She’ Leaving Home, Within You Without You
Loss and New Directions in Fall, 1967
Magical Mystery Tour: The Album
SCU - All You Need Is Love, Fool on the Hill, Blue Jay Way
Psychedelia

A Co-Op of Singer-Songwriters
1968 - Events and Singles
The Beatles (White Album)
White Album - The Paul Songs
SCU - Lady Madonna, Hey Jude, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
White Album - The John Songs
SCU - Revolution, Happiness Is a Warm Gun, Julia
White Album – George and Ringo Songs
SCU - The Inner Light, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Piggies
Yellow Submarine
A Co-Op of Singer-Songwriters

Get Back
Introduction
The Get Back Project
Get Back/Let It Be, The Album
SCU - Let It Be, Dig a Pony, I Me Mine, I Got a Feeling
The Grand Finale: Abbey Road
Abbey Road: Side One
SCU - Here Comes the Sun, Maxwell’s Silver Hammer, I Want You (She’s So Heavy)
Abbey Road: Side Two (A Longer Day in the Life)
Conclusions
Get Back

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the history and impact of The Beatles with this comprehensive online course. Students rave about the in-depth analysis of their music and the cultural context provided. However, some users mention technical issues and a lack of engagement with the course material.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

in-depth analysis of The Beatles' music and cultural impact

Pros from User Reviews

thorough exploration of The Beatles' discography
rich cultural context provided
accessibility for all levels of music enthusiasts
engaging quizzes and assignments
valuable insights from guest lecturers

Cons from User Reviews

technical issues with the course platform
lack of interaction with other students
some lectures feel repetitive or too long
limited focus on The Beatles' post-breakup careers
occasional inaccuracies in lecture content

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