A look at all that can be done using the Circle of 5ths

How to build all major scales

Today I want to talk about parallel major and minor keys. The example we are using today is the Spanish Christmas carol A La Nanita Nana. First we will look at how to identify the minor key by using the three half step trick. Then we can...

How to use diminished 7th chords. This music composition lesson explains how to construct a diminished 7th chord and how to key reference it, clearing up various common misunderstandings on the way. We explore the diminished 7th chord in...

This music theory lesson teaches you how to harmonize a melody with chords in a minor key on the piano. The video focuses on how to choose the most effective chords for the given melody and also investigates the particular challenges of...

A Guide to transposing instruments, and what to do with them

The Dominant Chord (V) is the second most important chord in a key. Today we look at two chords (V, vii) that have the specific function of being Dominant Chords

How to recognise a modulation in music. This music theory lesson explains what constitutes modulation and works through a piece of music that contains several modulations. An analysis of chords, accidentals and cadences reveals the...

I get a lot of questions about how to use music theory to write music. So, today I'm taking a look at a melody I wrote a long time ago to see how I can improve it using concept we learn in Theory I and II.

Learn how do to construct and use augmented 6th chords in major keys. This music composition lesson explains the best ways to write approach chords to Augmented 6th chords and the best ways to resolve them. After explaining how to form...

How To Find The Key In Three EASY Steps

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...

Writing bad four part harmony?! Lots of people manage part of the journey with four-part harmony then get stuck or struggle to develop an outcome that is musically satisfying. This music composition lesson starts with a piece of...

An introduction to the 48 Preludes & Fugues and Bach's Prelude & Fugue in F# Minor (BWV859). This music analysis video provides a simple examination of the work. Through this study one begins to understand the structure and musical...

A detailed look through the opening of the first Chorus movement in Handel’s “Messiah”. In particular word painting is explored, namely how Handel paints the text “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed”. Choice of key and tempo are...

A flowchart for reading the Key Signature

How to build all minor scales

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...

Introduction to the Circle of Fifths

Just by looking at a melody can you work out which key it is in? How can you tell just by looking at the notes which key a melody is in, especially when there is no key signature? Even if you can work it out how do you know if it’s in a...

Today we look at the three chords (I, iii, vi) that have the specific function of being Tonic Chords. <br/>

Learn how to work out the key of a piece of sheet music. In this music theory lesson we take a look at four extracts of music and practice working out their keys. You'll learn how to make sure you get the correct key by looking at the...

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...