A simple guide to musical modes. Most musicians know about major and minor scales and keys. One thing that Jazz musicians and those interested in music from pre-1600 have in common is that they both know about modes. Modes existed before...

Sometimes music composers use different tricks to make music sound like it's written in a different time signature than the one on the page. In this video we look at two different techniques that help create this rhythm illusion. The...

Pop songs are so dang catchy, whether you like them or not; but why? We look to music theory for the answers.

Learn about the Musical Alphabet and Lines and Spaces on the music staff in this animated video about music theory.

What does a lead sheet look like and how do you play from one? This music performance lesson takes you through the first eight bars of a famous Standard, “Lullaby of Birdland”, explaining how a lead sheet works, unpacking how to read...

How to harmonise a Chorale in the style of JS Bach.If you want to improve your harmony skills or learn how to harmonise a Chorale melody in the style of Bach this video is for you. This video takes you through a Chorale harmonisation...

In this episode of composing for the piano, we explore how to present the Music Matters theme in Calypso style. If nothing else it will bring cheer to your day! The distinctive Calypso rhythm is explained and Gareth talks through how he...

The plagal cadence, also sometimes called the "amen" cadence. In this video we look at examples of the plagal cadence, how it is used in music, and what it sounds like by listening to some examples. This continues our look into music...

Today we begin a series called "Building Music" looking at how composers construct music starting with the smallest element: The Motif. Music Examples Used: Beethoven - 5th Symphony, Movement 1 Brahms - Wiegenlieder, Op. 49, No. 4 Ravel...

We continue our "Building Music" series, looking at how composers construct music. Today we look at how motifs can be used to construct phrases, and phrases can be used to make periods.

Music Matters demonstrates Identifying Inessential Notes

Discover an easy method to work out and accurately identify intervals using this simple interval chart. In music, an interval is a measured distance between two notes. When the notes sound at the same time it is called a harmonic...

This music theory lesson explains how to effect radical modulation by using just a single note. By using a single pivot note, rather than a pivot chord, it is possible to modulate to distant keys without making the music sound strange....

Why should you be practising with a metronome? Good rhythm and tempo are essential for all musicians. Find out how the metronome can help you practice. In this music performance lesson we consider the value of using a metronome....

In this episode of composing for the piano, we explore how to present the Music Matters theme in Rumba style. The distinctive Rumba rhythm is explained and Gareth talks through how he has arranged the melodic design to fit the Rumba...

Why have I never done an Analysis video? I have no idea! So, today I analyze my favorite Pentatonix song - Run To You. We'll look at how Pentatonix writes this song, and some of the things that make it awesome.

Showing you how to begin a composition using the whole tone scale. The two transpositions of the whole tone scale are explained and consideration is given to how the scale can be used as the basis for melodic and harmonic construction....

How to write better harmony and chord progressions. This music composition lesson begins with what is often a typical working of a four-part harmony exercise, which doesn’t sound bad but doesn’t sound good. We explore what works and what...

How to compose and develop melody over a set of chords. Are you someone who can come up with a chord progression but you’re not quite sure how to improvise or write a melody to go with it? In this music composition lesson, we take a...

Learn all about the interrupted cadence, also known as the deceptive cadence, which chords it uses and how it sounds. Would you like to write an interrupted cadence? Would you like to be able to hear interrupted cadences? Cadences...

How well do you know your treble clef ledger lines above and below the stave? You may be fairly new to reading music or you may have been a musician for years but many musicians get caught out when it comes to reading notes on ledger...

Identifying music intervals can be one of the more confusing things about learning music theory for the first time. In this video we will look at an easier way to find the names of intervals using the major scale as a reference point....

We continue our music theory adventure by looking at the different kinds of intervals in both the major and minor scales, as well as augmented and diminished intervals. There is a lot of new information in this one!

Season 1, Episode 10 - Two Minute Music Theory Without pitch, we wouldn't have music. So what exactly is a pitch?