Music theory, explained without the jargon

Start with the first section if you are new. If you already read music and know your major scales, skip to chords and progressions, which is where theory starts paying off audibly.

Start here

• What is music theory? — A plain answer, and what theory is not.
• Music theory basics — The core material in the most efficient order.
• Music theory for beginners — A slower pass over the same ground.

Reading notation

• How to read sheet music — The staff, clefs, and rhythm from scratch.
• Bass and treble clef together — The crossing point that stalls most learners.
• Key signatures in bass clef — Where the sharps and flats actually go.

Keys and the circle of fifths

• The circle of fifths — The single most useful diagram in tonal music.
• The minor circle of fifths — Why minors sit on the inner ring.
• The seven modes — What they are, and why they are taught too early.
• Pentatonic scales — Major and minor, with examples.

Chords and progressions

• What is a chord progression? — The definition, and why order matters.
• Chord progressions explained — How diatonic chords string together.
• Major chord progressions — The workhorses.
• Minor chord progressions — Including the Andalusian cadence.
• Blues chord progression — 12-bar, in every key.
• What is a cadence? — Four types, and how to hear them.
• Secondary dominants — Borrowing a V chord from another key.
• Borrowed chords — Modal mixture, explained.

Chord progressions by key

• C major — Common patterns worked through.
• A minor — Common patterns worked through.
• E minor — Common patterns worked through.

AP Music Theory

• AP Music Theory overview — Course content and a study plan.
• Exam format and scoring — Sections, timings, and weighting.
• Using practice tests — A protocol that raises scores.
• Is it hard? — An honest answer by background.