Always wondered what we mean by the term extended chords? Want to use extended chords but not sure how to? Are you a composer who can use chords but want your chords to be more interesting and more colourful? Want to be able to use...

Can you work out the time signature of these rhythms? This music theory lesson presents a quiz to help you sharpen your skills. A number of different rhythms are presented and by looking at the numerical value of each bar and at the...

What is the difference between 2/4 and 4/4 time signatures? On the face of it, there may appear to be little difference between music in 2/4 time or music in 4/4 time. Often it is possible to count 2 or 4 beats to the same piece of...

Making music with 7th chord chains and advanced chord progressions in any style, from baroque to cocktail piano. The chain of 7ths has been used by composers since the Baroque period as a means of providing a rich sequence of 7th chords...

Learn how to build diminished and augmented chords. This music theory lessons show you how to start with major triad and modify it into an augmented or diminished triad, before showing an alternative method of calculation by counting...

We explore an extract of music that contains some mistakes with its notation, can you spot them all? This music theory lesson explores some of the most common errors when it comes to notating notes, rhythms, time signatures and other...

Beginner's guide to four-part harmony. This music theory lesson explains the basics of how to write four-part harmony to fit with a given melody. Often people can write a tune they are happy with but they are not sure which chords to use...

Find out what makes a secondary dominant and how best to use them. A secondary dominant is a way of adding a touch of harmonic colour to a piece of music. It occurs when a V-l progression occurs in a key other than the prevailing key....

How well do you know your intervals? Interval recognition is a core skill in for any musician with questions like these often appear in music theory exams. In this music theory lesson you will have an opportunity to discover how accurate...

Music can often be quite symmetrical, which is great, because humans tend to love symmetry. Season 4, Episode 4

Can you name these intervals? In this music theory lesson you will have an opportunity to discover how accurate you are at identifying intervals. Do you know your major intervals from your minor intervals or your augmented intervals from...

All you need to know in order to begin composing for the trumpet. This orchestration video explores the Trumpet as a solo instrument and in the context of playing as part of an ensemble of Trumpets or wider Brass, and explains the rather...

Find out how Bach goes about decorating a straightforward chord progression and use multiple harmonic devices to create a really moving piece of music. We examine the choice of harmony and modulation, the part writing, the use of...

On our tour of the Modes, we come today to the Dorian Mode. We'll look at how to build it, some things we can do with it, and some music that uses the mode. Season 3, Episode 10

What is a cadential 6-4? What does it sound like? How does it function? What do we mean by “cadential” and 6-4? This music theory lesson explains the cadential 6-4 and answers all those questions. The melodic, as well as the harmonic...

How good is your ability to work out the interval between two notes? In this music theory lesson we practice working out intervals. Do you know your Major intervals from your Minor intervals or your Augmented intervals from your...

Consecutive fifths and consecutive octaves. This music theory lesson presents a short passage of four-part harmony that is filled with consecutive fifths and consecutive octaves (also known as parallel fifths and parallel octaves)....

Discover how to read and play a piece of music that contains changing time signatures. Have you ever struggled to read a piece that switches between time signatures such as 2/4 4/4 3/8 5/8? This music performance lesson takes such a...

I've gotten a lot of questions over the last 5 years. Some of them more than others, so today I'm starting an FAQ series. The note names in Western Music seem to be a little off? Why is the key with no sharps or flats C major and not A...

The Second installment in our Building Chords Series. Today we look at the Augmented and Diminished Chords, and how they related to the Major and Minor Chords.

Season 3, Episode 21 - Two Minute Music Theory The third installment in our Building Chords Series. Today we look at building all types of Seventh Chords, which are extensions of the basic triad.

Season 3, Episode 22 - Two Minute Music Theory The third installment in our Building Chords Series. Today we look at what happens when the chord isn't stacked like it normally is. When notes aren't in their normal position, we call that...

How to transpose a melody from one key to another. Suitable for students preparing for Grade 5 theory exams. Are you confused about transposition? Do you need to transpose some music by playing or writing out music in a different key? Do...

What are passing notes? Find out how they work and how best to use them. Melodic notes must either belong to the prevailing chord or should be inessential notes. The most common inessential note is the passing note, which moves by step....