StudyMusicTheory — Gamified Music Theory Learning
Master 1400+ music theory topics through gamified quizzes with spaced repetition. From absolute beginner to PhD-level analysis. Interactive piano and guitar. Built by musicians for musicians.
Please enable JavaScript to use StudyMusicTheory.
Level 1: First Steps (54 lessons)
What Is Sound? • The Musical Alphabet • The Piano Keyboard • Octaves • Semitones & Tones • Beats & Rhythm Basics • Musical Texture • Listening Skills • Your Instrument • Tuning Your Instrument • Your First Chords (Open Shapes) • Strumming Patterns • Learning Songs • Practice Essentials
Level 2: Reading Music (83 lessons)
The Staff • Other Clefs • Note Durations • Dots, Ties & Rests • Time Signatures — Simple • Tempo • Dynamics • Musical Symbols & Navigation • Guitar TAB & Chord Charts • Rhythm Patterns Practice
Level 3: Intervals & Scales (127 lessons)
Intervals — Identification • Intervals — Properties • Major Scales • Scale Degrees • Minor Scales • Key Signatures • The Circle of Fifths • Keys in Practice • Interval Ear Training • Sight-Reading Foundations • Scale Mastery — All Keys • Playing By Ear • Fretboard Mastery • Scale Sequences & Runs
Level 4: Chords & Harmony (193 lessons)
Triads • Diatonic Triads • Seventh Chords • More Chord Types • Diatonic Seventh Chords • Harmonic Function • Cadences • Common Progressions • Chord Symbols & Lead Sheets • Progressions by Genre • Chord Building Drills • Riff & Lick Construction • Soloing Techniques • Arpeggios for Players • Blues Theory Deep Dive • Intros, Outros & Turnarounds • Jamming & Improvisation Basics • Arrangement for Bands • Barre Chords & Moveable Shapes • Rhythm Guitar • Transposing Songs
Level 5: Voice Leading (76 lessons)
Voice Leading Fundamentals • Doubling & Resolution • Non-Chord Tones • Phrase Structure • Figured Bass & Transposition • Articulation & Expression • Melodic & Harmonic Dictation • Keyboard Harmony • Part-Writing Exercises
Level 6: Beyond Major & Minor (161 lessons)
Church Modes • Pentatonic & Blues Scales • Symmetric & Exotic Scales • Melodic Minor Modes • Harmonic Minor Modes • Extended Chords • Altered & Special Chords • Compound & Complex Time • World Music Scales & Systems • Songwriting Theory • Modal Harmony in Depth • Composition Exercises • Hip-Hop & Beat Music Theory • Musical Theatre Theory • Rock & Metal Theory • Funk & Groove Theory • Capo & Alternate Tunings
Level 7: Chromatic Harmony (79 lessons)
Secondary Dominants • Secondary Leading-Tone Chords • Borrowed Chords / Modal Mixture • Neapolitan & Augmented 6th • Modulation • Sequences • Advanced Chromatic Techniques • Pop & Rock Harmony • Chromatic Analysis Exercises • Advanced Ear Training
Level 8: Form & Counterpoint (136 lessons)
Basic Forms • Song & Popular Forms • Classical Forms • Sonata Form • Species Counterpoint • Fugue • Canon & Contrapuntal Techniques • Historical Part-Writing Styles • Analysis of Real Works • Medieval & Renaissance Polyphony • Baroque Ornamentation & Continuo • Baroque Dance Forms • Romantic-Era Techniques • Modern Formal Theory • Galant Schemata (Gjerdingen) • Partimento Tradition
Level 9: Orchestration & Rhythm (119 lessons)
String Instruments • Woodwind Instruments • Brass Instruments • Percussion & Keyboards • Scoring Techniques • Advanced Rhythm & Meter • Advanced Forms • Conducting Patterns • Arranging Fundamentals • Vocal Writing • Piano & Guitar Writing • Vocal Theory • MIDI & Digital Audio Basics • World Rhythm Systems
Level 10: Jazz Theory (102 lessons)
Jazz Fundamentals • Jazz Voicings • Jazz Substitutions • Advanced Jazz Harmony • Jazz Scales in Depth • Jazz Rhythm & Feel • Jazz Forms & Repertoire • Jazz Improvisation Theory • Jazz Arranging • Post-Bop & Fusion Theory • Solo Transcription & Analysis • Non-Jazz Improvisation • Worship & Contemporary Worship Music
Level 11: 20th Century & Post-Tonal (96 lessons)
Early 20th Century Techniques • Twelve-Tone Technique (Serialism) • Pitch-Class Set Theory • Composer Techniques — 20th Century • Minimalism & Post-Minimalism • Spectral Music & Beyond • Electronic Music Theory • Extended Techniques • More 20th/21st Century Composers • Electronic Dance Music Theory
Level 12: Analysis & Perception (154 lessons)
Schenkerian Analysis • Neo-Riemannian Theory • Transformational Theory • Tuning & Temperament • Microtonal Theory • Acoustics & Psychoacoustics • Music Perception & Cognition • Formal Models • Historical Theory Systems • Music Semiotics & Topic Theory • Film Scoring Theory • Notation Systems & Production • Game Audio & Interactive Music • AI & Music • Ethnomusicology Foundations • Music & Mathematics • Music Psychology & Therapy • Cutting-Edge & Emerging Topics