A video walkthrough demonstrating Berklee’s chord analysis workflow in Dorico Pro 6 and later versions is available on the Berklee Online YouTube channel and is linked at the end of this post.
Berklee uses a specific and well-defined system of harmonic analysis that emphasizes clarity of function, voice-leading relationships, and consistent visual conventions. This is required when taking Berklee music theory courses.
Berklee’s Approach to Harmonic Analysis
In Berklee theory courses, chord analysis follows established conventions that students are expected to use consistently across written work. These conventions focus on making harmonic function and motion immediately clear to the reader, both analytically
and visually.
Implementing Berklee Analysis in Dorico
In the Berklee Online course Music Notation and Score Preparation Using Dorico Pro, which I co-authored with Vince Leonard, a page in lesson 2 was added designed specifically for Berklee theory requirements. This workflow is implemented using Dorico Pro 6 and later versions, which support the custom analysis lines and text styles required for Berklee’s chord analysis format.
The course introduces a dedicated Dorico template that includes custom analysis text styles and specialized line types used to represent harmonic motion and harmonic relationships.
Rather than relying on generic text or improvised symbols, this approach integrates analysis directly into the notation environment in a way that is clean, consistent, and readable.
Template File
Here is the link to the Berklee chord analysis template file used in the Dorico Pro course. Download it and follow the instructions in the video to add it as a Dorico Template.
About the Course
If you are interested in taking the complete Dorico Pro course, including detailed instruction on notation, layout, and advanced workflows, you can find it in the official Berklee Online course materials.
Course reference:
Music Notation and Score Preparation Using Dorico Pro
Berklee Online
https://online.berklee.edu/courses/music-notation-and-score-preparation-using-dorico-pro
Video Walkthrough
Berklee Theory Chord Analysis in Dorico (Berklee Online YouTube).
Making the Most of Notation Software 