Music theory for beginners: a five-week plan

This plan skips the graduate-level stuff (species counterpoint, Schenkerian analysis, atonal set theory) and covers the material an adult learner actually needs to enjoy playing music. Adjust the pace to your life; the order matters more than the calendar.

Week 1: notes and the staff

1. Day 1: read what is music theory. Ten minutes.
2. Day 2: read how to read sheet music basics. Practice the treble-clef mnemonics.
3. Day 3: five minutes on the note identifier, treble clef.
4. Day 4: five more minutes, add bass clef.
5. Day 5: play through the mnemonics from memory. If they stick, you are ready for week 2.

Week 2: the C major scale

1. Day 1: read piano scales overview.
2. Day 2-4: play C major scale, one octave, both hands separately, at 60 BPM.
3. Day 5: hands together at 60 BPM. Slow beats sloppy.

Week 3: intervals

The five foundation intervals: perfect 5th, perfect 4th, major 3rd, minor 3rd, octave. Ten minutes a day on the ear trainer, beginner set. Read interval ear training midweek.

Week 4: chords and the four workhorses

1. Day 1: read what is a chord progression.
2. Day 2: read major chord progressions.
3. Day 3-5: play I-V-vi-IV in C major (C-G-Am-F). Piano or guitar. Sing along to Let It Be.

Week 5: the circle of fifths

1. Day 1: read the circle of fifths.
2. Day 2-3: click through the circle tool, hear each major key.
3. Day 4: transpose I-V-vi-IV from C major into G major (G-D-Em-C).
4. Day 5: play the same shape in D major (D-A-Bm-G). Notice how the pattern feels the same, only the letters change.

What next

After five weeks: chord quality recognition (weeks 6-8), deliberate practice (weeks 9-12), and pick an instrument pillar for depth. See the learn hub for the full map.