Learning How to Read Music
Treble clef, bass clef, Middle C, grand staff, landmark notes, and ledger lines.
Open ArticleMusic Theory Library
A complete theory pathway from beginner notation to advanced harmony.
Use this page as the gateway. Start with reading music, then move through rhythm, meter, symbols, intervals, scales, chords, modes, form, harmony, and voice leading.
How to Use This
Read the articles in order if you are new.
The order goes from easiest to hardest. Each article explains the idea, gives examples, and includes practice prompts students can use at the piano.
- Read notes on treble and bass clef
- Count rhythm and subdivision
- Understand simple and compound meter
- Apply symbols, articulation, and dynamics
- Identify intervals
- Build scales and key signatures
- Build chords and inversions
- Explore modes and form
- Analyze harmony, cadences, and voice leading
Core Pathway
Beginner to advanced theory articles.
Each card opens a full article page. This keeps the theory section clean while still making every topic detailed.
Rhythm
Note values, rests, subdivision, ties, dotted rhythms, and counting methods.
Open ArticleMeter
Simple meter, compound meter, beat grouping, and how time signatures actually feel.
Open ArticleMusic Symbols
Staccato, accents, dynamics, tempo markings, repeats, pedal markings, and expression.
Open ArticleIntervals
Melodic and harmonic intervals, interval numbers, qualities, and ear-training basics.
Open ArticleMajor and Minor Scales
Major, natural minor, harmonic minor, melodic minor, scale fingering, and key signatures.
Open ArticleChords
Major, minor, diminished, augmented, inversions, seventh chords, and triads.
Open ArticleModes
Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian colors.
Open ArticleMusical Form
Phrases, periods, binary form, ternary form, rondo, theme and variations, and sonata form.
Open ArticleDetailed Harmony
Roman numerals, harmonic function, chord progressions, cadences, and tonal motion.
Open ArticleVoice Leading
Common tones, tendency tones, smooth motion, and practical piano voicing.
Open ArticleExtra Subpages
Deep dives for students who want more detail.
These pages expand the main categories without making the beginner path overwhelming.
Circle of Fifths
Sharp keys, flat keys, relative minors, and how keys connect.
Open ArticleJazz Chords
Seventh chords, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, alterations, and shell voicings.
Open ArticleSonata Form
Exposition, development, recapitulation, coda, and classical structure.
Open ArticleCadences
Authentic, half, plagal, deceptive, perfect authentic, and imperfect authentic cadences.
Open ArticleConnect Theory to Playing
Use these articles while practicing real piano lessons.
The best way to learn theory is to connect it to pieces, scales, chords, and sight-reading.