About Music Theory


Music theory is the study of what music is, and how it works. Many elements are taken into consideration when teaching music theory, including learning how to read music, music composition, and music analytics.

Music theory is a relatively hard discipline to learn, especially if you cannot read music. Learning how to read music is the most fundamental concept of music theory. When learning to read music, students are introduced to the musical staff, clef, and ledger. A musical staff is a five lined and four spaced grid on which the musical notes are written. Each line and space is designated to a specific musical note.

Once you know what and where the notes go, the next step is to learn about note durations, signature timing, dots and ties. All of these topics describe the length of time a note is accented for. Music theory students are generally introduced to the four most common notes: quarter note, half note, eighth note and whole note. When the musical notes are placed on the staff, in a specific time signature, music is written.

Learning how to read music is just the foundation of music theory. Many other concepts are incorporated in music theory including musical scales and intervals, chords, triads and more. Students who study music theory extensively explore more technical music theory concepts. Usually music theory classes incorporate a brief history of music and musical composition.

Music theory classes can be very difficult and are usually only recommended to those students who are seriously considering a career in music. Learning music theory might come to students more easily if they have prior experience with playing a musical instrument. If you are seriously considering learning music theory, below is a list of educational resources that will help you along the way.


Music theory is the study of what music is and how it works. Many elements are taken into consideration when teaching music theory, including learning how to read music, music composition, and music analytics.
Music theory is a relatively hard concept to learn, especially if you cannot read music. Learning how to read music is the most fundamental concept of music theory. When learning to read music, students are introduced with the music staff, clef, and ledger. It is on these that the basis to all music, the music notes, are found. A music staff is a five lined and four spaced grid on which the music notes are written. Each line and space is designated to a specific musical note.
  • From bottom to top, the lined notes go E, G, B, D, F
    • An easy way to remember these notes is the saying "every good boy deserves fudge."
  • From bottom to top, the space notes are go F, A, C, E
    • An easy way to remember these notes are that they spell the word "face."
Once you know what and where the notes go, the next step is learning about note durations, signature timing, dots and ties. All of these topics describe the length of time a note is accented for. Music theory students are generally introduced to the four most common notes: quarter note, half note, eighth note and whole note. When the music notes are placed on the staff, in a specific time signature, music is formed.
Learning how to read music is just the foundation of music theory. Many other concepts are incorporated in music theory including musical scales and intervals, chords, triads and more. Students who study music theory extensively explore more technical music theory concepts. Usually music theory classes incorporate a brief history of music and music composition.
Music theory classes can be very difficult and are usually only recommended to those students who are seriously considering a career in music. Learning music theory might come to students more easily if they have prior experience with playing a musical instrument. If you are seriously considering learning music theory, below are a list of educational resources that will help you along the way.