Learn Music Theory Online for Free
Learn to read music, find notes on the piano and understand rhythm.
Start from scratch with free lessons, interactive exercises and quizzes, at your own pace.
Music theory courses
Choose which course you want to start with and learn at your own pace.
See all coursesInteractive music exercises
Put each lesson into practice - from piano keys and note reading to scales, keys and the circle of fifths.
Choose an exerciseTest your knowledge
Check what you know with our quizzes - covering everything from notes and time signatures to scales and keys.
Take a quizWhat is music theory?
Music theory describes how music works: how notes form melodies and chords, how rhythms organize sounds in time, and how written notation represents what we play or sing. Learning the basics helps you make sense of sheet music and talk about music with other musicians.
Here, you can begin with the building blocks of reading music. Learn the note names C, D, E, F, G, A and B, see where they sit on the piano and the staff, and discover how note values and rests tell you how long to play or pause.
Where should I start?
If you are new to music theory, start with the note names lesson and work through the course in order. You do not need any previous theory knowledge. Use the exercises between lessons to practice what you have learned.
Already know the notes? Explore how the staff works, learn note values, or read about time signatures.
Already comfortable with the basics? Continue with the Scales and Keys course and learn how scales, keys and the circle of fifths fit together.
Musikteori.com has taught music theory online since 2006. These courses, exercises and quizzes are free, and you can go at your own pace.
Practice piano notes and reading music
Piano note names
Find your way around the keyboard. Start with the white keys, then practice sharps and flats.
Practice piano notesTreble clef practice
Learn to identify notes in treble clef. Begin with a few notes and build up to a wider range.
Practice treble clefBass clef practice
Get familiar with notes in bass clef, often used for lower instruments and the piano's left hand.
Practice bass clefOur app: Wurst Music
Have you ever played on a sausage piano? Fished for sausage fish? Played sausage basketball? Wurst Music is a fun music game for kids!
Practice scales and keys
Half Step or Whole Step?
Learn to hear and see the difference between half steps and whole steps on the piano.
Practice half and whole stepsBuild Major and Minor Scales
Practice building the major scale and the minor scale step by step, in every key.
Practice scalesKey Signatures
Practice recognizing keys from their key signatures with the circle of fifths.
Practice key signatures