Basic Music Theory

Music theory is a study that allows us to understand the language of music. It is a set of guidelines and practices used to recognize the different ways to express emotions with sound. It also helps us interpret and create musical compositions, communicate with other musicians, and become confident in creating or performing music.

Learning music theory is also essential for enhancing creativity and developing a well developed sense of musical awareness. It is a challenging, but rewarding set of skills to learn. Knowing how music works will make the music production process easier and help you become an effective music composer.

This basic music theory set includes key signatures, pitches, intervals, scales, chords, and other music fundamentals. It also provides insight into the basic building blocks of music that form harmony, melody, and rhythm.

We put together the ultimate guide to start learning music theory so you can easily grasp the fundamentals and start applying them to your music when you play or when you compose. All following pictures are linked to a PDF Help Sheet file that can be opened, downloaded and printed. Some of the topics also include a video.

Music Theory is divided into 3 levels – basic, intermediate and advanced. To be a good composer you should study all levels but to start composing you it is sufficient to be knowledgeable at least with the topics of the basic level.

Please go over the offered topics on this page. If you don’t understand a word in the text please use the Music Dictionary to clarify the word.

Valuable Links for contributors of this page: Liberty Park Music | David Bruce | Aimee Nolte | Seth Monahan | Graham Fitch | David Bennet