Beginner's Music Theory

Definition of tonic triads and how to construct them.

The grouping of strong and weak beats is called meter. You can find the meter signature (also called time signature) at the beginning of every music piece; it is the 2 numbers written after the clef. In compound meter the beats can be divided into three notes.

In simple meter, the beats can be divided into even divisions. 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures are all examples of simple meter, as are any time signatures with 2, 3 and 4 as the top number.

Ties and slurs may be confusing to some because it is both represented by a curved line. However, the function of a tie is very different from a slur.

A tie is a curved line that connects two notes of the same pitch; the second note is not played but its value is added to the first note.

A dot that is placed after a note or rest indicates a change in its duration. The dot adds half of the value of the note or rest to itself.

Rests are used to indicate a pause in a piece of music. A whole rest is silence equivalent to the value of a whole note (4), a half rest is silence equivalent to the value of a half note (2). The table below shows you the common types of rests and its value.

Whether you're a performer, composer or just an avid listener of music, understanding the meaning and function of certain musical symbols will take your appreciation of music to a deeper level.

Meaning of half steps and whole steps.

The clef is the symbol used at the beginning of a music staff. It is used to indicate the placement of the notes on the lines and spaces of the staff. Here we will learn more about the most commonly used clefs.

Learn more about the 8 basic elements of music such as harmony, rhythm and tempo.

Music theory 101 listing the common notations used in music.

Music theory 101, musical notation and music symbols.

Explanation on natural notes and the natural sign.

Enumerates several special rest symbols and their meaning.

Meaning of double accidentals.

Discusses the use of repeat signs in a piece of music .

Explanation on what are ties and triplets.

A list of dynamic signs and articulation marks.

Discusses the different types of meter and the corresponding beats.

The Italian word at the beginning of a music piece indicates how slow or fast the piece should be played.

Meaning and list of key signatures.

Helpful table of key signatures in major and minor keys.

Explanation and illustration of the Circle of Fifths.

All about major scales.

Explanation on minor scales and how to form them.

All about the chromatic scale.

All about the pentatonic scale.

Defines what a whole tone scale is and its difference from other scales.

Explanation of intervals and the different types of intervals.

A handy table that will make it easier for you to determine intervals by counting its distance in half-steps.

Explanation of harmonic intervals.

Explanation on melodic intervals.

Explains what modes are and defines each modal scale.

For this lesson we will learn about how to form "major triads".

In this lesson, we will learn how to form "minor triads".

What are major and minor 7ths and how are they formed?

Defines the meaning of inversions and how you can easily learn to invert triads in any key.

Explanation on what are sus2 and sus4 chords as well as how they are formed.

Forming ninth and sixth chords in both major and minor keys.

The meaning of diminished and augmentedtriads and how it is constructed.

Explanation on dissonant and consonant chords and how it is constructed.

A quick reference table on how to form different types of chords that are often played.

What does the Roman Numeral I, IV and V stand for in music? Learn the asnwer through this article.

Illustrates how to form the I - IV - V chord pattern on the piano or keyboard.

Write better melodies by learning how to play chord patterns. This article focuses on the ii, iii, and vi chords.

Musical texture refers to the number of layers, as well as the type of layers, used in a composition and how these layers are related. Texture may be monophonic, polyphonic or homophonic.