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Theory Lessons
On-the-go mobile access to these lessons, for your iPhone and iPad.
The Basics
The Staff, Clefs, and Ledger Lines
Learn about the staff, treble clef, bass clef, ledger lines, and the grand staff.
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 the different types of 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.
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 of seventh chords used in popular music and jazz.
Seventh Chord Inversion
Learn how to invert seventh chords.
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 in chord progressions.
Triads in Second Inversion
Learn how second inversion triads are commonly used in chord progressions.
Analysis: Auld Lang Syne
Watch an analysis of
Auld Lang Syne
.
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).
