Musicians often need to transpose music from one key to another, in order to accommodate transposing instruments or to realign music in a key to suit singers, for example. Some people need to understand the theory behind writing out a...

How to use sequence as a compositional tool to expand a musical idea. This music composition begins with a simple four note idea. It then shows you how to build these four notes into a 16 bar piece using melodic and harmonic sequence....

Find out how Bach makes use of seventh chords inside his music. Join us as we examine the choice of harmony and modulation, the part writing, the use of accented and unaccented passing notes, plus other features of the Bach Chorale...

Learn how to build and recognise major and minor chords. This music theory lesson teaches you how to construct major and minor chords above any given note. Two techniques are explained, one based on intervals and the other based on...

How to go about realizing more advanced figured bass, including how to read diatonic chords and seventh chords in figured bass and how to play a short passage from a figured bass. In this music theory lesson the figured bass system is...

How to build major and minor chords

An analysis of Pp.79 no.2 G minor Rhapsody by Brahms. It takes Brahms a considerable number of bars to establish the home key and meanwhile he travels through a range of other keys. The melodic line is explored, including the growth of...

Find out how to borrow chords from the parallel key as a means of adding colour to your harmony and to understand how composers use this technique. This music composition lesson presents a short piece of harmony and demonstrates ways...

Step inside the mind of Beethoven as we explore the opening section of Beethoven’s “Waldstein” Piano Sonata, one of the most famous of his middle period works. In particular we explore how rhythm and modulation are used to create...

Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata is one of his most famous pieces of music. Most people have heard it and many want to play it. What makes this such a popular work? Step inside the mind of Beethoven as we explore the features that make the...

Domenico Scarlatti wrote over 550 single-movement sonatas for the harpsichord, making characteristic but innovative use of the instrument. This composer insights lesson explores sonata K208 in A major. Having clarified the Binary...

Step inside the mind of Beethoven as we explore the opening section of an early Piano Sonata by Beethoven in F minor. In particular we examine how Beethoven derives his melodic design from the harmonic scheme. The video demonstrates...

A complete elementary music lesson with boomwhackers!

Getting scary music ready for Halloween? Mr. Henry puts the music spotlight on What Makes Music Sound Scary? Learning about how certain chords create scary sounding music. You can even take the listening quiz to check up on your aural...

Learn all about the imperfect cadence, also known as the half cadence, which chords it uses and how it sounds. Want to know about cadences? Want to know about the imperfect cadence in particular? Want to be able to write an imperfect...

How does Chopin create and express emotion in his music? We delve into the mind of the composer and explore Chopin’s Nocturne in G minor, explaining how Chopin delivers emotional impact through his approach to harmony, melodic...

How good are you at naming and identifying chords in a piece of music? This music theory lesson explains how to determine the key of a given piece of music and how to work out the chords that belong to that key. It then invites you to...