10/12/2019 musictheory.

net - Lessons

Our lessons are provided online for free.

If they help you, please purchase our apps to support the site.

Theory Lessons for iOS

Enhanced offline versions of our animated lessons.

THE BASICS

The Staff, Clefs, and Ledger Lines

Learn about the staff, treble and bass clefs, and ledger lines.

Note Duration
Learn about five types of notes and how flags affect note duration.

Measures and Time Signature

Learn about measures and how many notes each can contain.

Rest Duration
Learn about the different types of rest.

Dots and Ties

Learn how dots and ties modify the duration of notes.

Steps and Accidentals

Learn about half steps, whole steps, and accidentals.

RHYTHM AND METER

Simple and Compound Meter

Learn how basic time signatures are classified.

Odd Meter
Learn about more complex time signatures.

SCALES AND KEY SIGNATURES

The Major Scale

Learn how to construct the major scale.

The Minor Scales

Learn how to construct the three different types of minor scales.

https://www.musictheory.net/lessons 1/4
10/12/2019 musictheory.net - Lessons

Scale Degrees
Learn the special names for each note of a scale.

Key Signatures
Learn about key signatures and the special ordering of accidentals.

Key Signature Calculation

Learn a method for mathematically calculating key signatures.

INTERVALS

Generic Intervals
Learn how two notes are measured on the staff.

Specific Intervals
Learn how two notes are specifically measured.

Writing Intervals
Learn how to correctly spell intervals with a three-step process.

Interval Inversion
Learn how to invert intervals.

CHORDS

Introduction to Chords
Learn about the four types of triads.

Triad Inversion
Learn how to invert triads.

Seventh Chords
Learn about the five types of seventh chords.

More Seventh Chords

Learn about three additional types used in popular music and jazz.

Seventh Chord Inversion

Learn how to invert seventh chords.

https://www.musictheory.net/lessons 2/4
10/12/2019 musictheory.net - Lessons

DIATONIC CHORDS

Diatonic Triads
Learn how a scale's notes form special triads.

Roman Numeral Analysis: Triads

Learn how diatonic triads are identified.

Diatonic Seventh Chords

Learn about the diatonic seventh chords of major and minor scales.

Roman Numeral Analysis: Seventh Chords

Learn how seventh chords are identified in Roman numeral analysis.

Composing with Minor Scales

Learn how the natural and harmonic minor scales combine.

Voicing Chords
Learn how composers arrange the notes of chords.

Analysis: O Canada
Watch an analysis of O Canada.

CHORD PROGRESSIONS

Nonharmonic Tones
Learn about the different types of nonharmonic tones.

Phrases and Cadences

Learn about musical phrases and the different types of cadences.

Circle Progressions
Learn about root motion and circular chord progressions.

Common Chord Progressions

Learn how chord progressions tend to follow a common pattern.

Triads in First Inversion

Learn how first inversion triads are commonly used.

Triads in Second Inversion

Learn how second inversion triads are commonly used.

Analysis: Auld Lang Syne

Watch an analysis of Auld Lang Syne.
https://www.musictheory.net/lessons 3/4
10/12/2019 musictheory.net - Lessons

NEAPOLITAN CHORDS

Building Neapolitan Chords

Learn how to build a Neapolitan chord.

Using Neapolitan Chords

Learn how a Neapolitan chord in first inversion is commonly used.

Analysis: Moonlight Sonata

Watch an analysis Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata (measures 49-51).

FAQ Legal Privacy Facebook Twitter

© 2000-2019 musictheory.net, LLC

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPad, and iPod are trademarks of Apple
Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service
mark of Apple Inc.

https://www.musictheory.net/lessons 4/4