Music Theory

learn-about-music-theory-iconLearn about music theory one step at a time. If you have no musical background, start from the beginning and take your time. If you already know how to read music and know what a key signature is, skip ahead to the circle of fifths. For more advanced concepts, take a look at the academic writing.

Learn How to Read Music

Learn about music notation. We assume that you know nothing about music, and then we go from there.

Learn How to Read Rhythm

Music is an art that requires time in which to exist. It’s not enough for music notation to tell us which notes to play, but it must also indicate when to play them and for how long.

Key Signatures and the Ionian (Major) Scale

key-signatures-modify-the-scale

A scale is a pattern of pitches which occur in ascending and/or descending order. A scale degree is an individual pitch in a scale. The Ionian (or major) scale is the most common point of departure for learning tonal systems, so we will start there.

the-circle-of-fifths-diagram

The Circle of Fifths

With key signatures, if the starting pitch goes up a fifth you add a sharp and when it goes down a fifth you add a flat. The circle of fifths illustrates this concept while also revealing that if you continue to raise or lower your starting pitch by a fifth, you will eventually get back to the key of C.

Plans to expand the “Music Theory” section of Music Interactive

The music theory section is a work in progress. Regrettably, it is also on the back burner. Please contact us via Facebook or Twitter if you want a certain musical concept explained here soon. We’ll prioritize according to interest.

Send Caleb a message!

Blog Subscription