A cheat sheet is not a replacement for learning the material. It is a memory aid you keep on the music stand for the six months while the material moves from working memory into long-term recall. This one covers the material an adult learner needs for the first year of study.

What is on the sheet

• Interval table: all 12 intervals with semitone counts, quality names, and anchor songs.
• Chord quality reference: triads and seventh chords with intervals stacked from the root.
• Key signatures: all 15 major keys and their relative minors with sharp/flat counts.
• Roman numeral chart: the seven diatonic chords in every major key.
• Cadence types: authentic, half, plagal, deceptive, with worked examples in C major.
• Common progressions: the four workhorses in every major key.

The interval reference, printed

The full interval table with anchor songs from interval ear training is on the front of the sheet. Print it, tape it to the music stand, drill five intervals a day.

The Roman numeral chart

Every major key gets one row: I ii iii IV V vi vii°. Adult learners find that seeing all 12 keys’ Roman-numeral spellings at once teaches the pattern faster than memorising one key at a time. See major chord progressions for the drilled version.

Companion downloads

• Circle of fifths chart: the map of key signatures.
• Chord progression chart: workhorse progressions in every key.
• Piano scales chart: all 12 keys with fingerings.