Howcast - Learn the order of sharps and flats on violin from musician Julie Artzt Becker in this Howcast video.

Howcast - Let musician Alex Skolnick teach you about notes on the fifth string in this heavy metal guitar lesson from Howcast.

Howcast - Learn how to select and change a sewing machine needle from designer Jennifer Wiese in this Howcast tutorial.

Howcast -Learn how to play a chromatic harmonica from music teacher Marcus Milius in this Howcast video.

Howcast -Learn how to find the notes on a guitar in this Howcast video.

Sometimes you need to have two different music parts to be playing at the same time in the same staff. Or, you might want to save space by having two voices share a staff. One of the best ways to achieve this is to use the voices feature...

Hi everyone, today I want to talk a little about accidentals. So far we have only talked about how accidentals act when they are on one staff. But what happens when you have more than one staff of music? Maybe it’s a piece of piano music...

Learn how to evolve a rising sequence above a bass line employing a series of 4-3 suspensions alternating in the upper parts. We explore a Baroque technique that has broader application for harmonic writing, giving ideas for developing...

In this music theory lesson we look at the circle of fifths. It can seem complicated at first, but the circle of fifths can be a really useful tool when learning music theory. It organizes key signatures, and it can tell you what kinds...

How well do you know the circle of fifths? Test your knowledge with this short quiz. The Circle of Fifths tells you everything you need to know about major keys, minor keys, and key signatures. This music theory lesson presents a...

Can you answer all the questions in this Circle of Fifths quiz? The Circle of Fifths tells you everything you need to know about major keys, minor keys, and key signatures. This music theory lesson presents a light-hearted quiz that is...

There are 3 minor scales, or more precisely, 3 variants of the minor scale because of how harmony and melody interact in Western musical tradition. Why do they exist and what are they? In this music theory lesson we explain the Natural...

Yes, the notes E#, B#, Cb and Fb really do exist and it's important to know why. In this music theory lesson we explain the often confusing topic of enharmonic equivalents and why in music we sometimes have to call a note E# instead of...

This video looks at the order of flats BEADGCF - and how they're used in music.

In this video we review the order of sharps. The order of sharps is used when writing key signatures that have sharps. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.

A question that comes up a lot: Why do we need double sharps and double flats? Where would we possibly use them? Also, does E# or B# exist? Where would we use that? Find out today on the first ever Two Minute Music Theory Q&A!

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

How to build all major scales

How do you know when to use the harmonic or the melodic minor scale? Let's take a look at how Bach combines them in one of his chorale harmonization. We examine the choice of harmony and modulation, the part writing, the use of accented...

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