How to learn music theory: practical steps for beginners

When I was learning music, I struggled with theory at first. But once I grasped the basics, it was a bit like unlocking a secret code. Everything clicked, and suddenly I could figure out songs faster, improvise better, and even write my own music.

Here's what makes it worth your time:

• It explains how music works: Why do certain chords feel uplifting while others feel tense? Why does a melody stick in your head? Theory gives you the answers.

• It speeds up learning: By recognising patterns in scales, chords, and progressions, you can pick up new songs much faster.

• It improves creativity: Knowing the "rules" of music lets you break them intentionally, helping you create something fresh.

• It’s a universal language: Music theory lets you communicate ideas with other musicians, no matter what instrument you play.

Before getting started in, it’s helpful to know that music theory is flexible. You don’t need a formal background or a specific instrument to begin. Whether you’re using a guitar, piano, app, or just your voice, the core principles remain the same.

If you’re not comfortable with reading music, that’s okay too. Many musicians learn through chord charts, tablature, or even by ear, and theory applies universally. To complement your learning, try ear-training apps like EarMaster for a few minutes a day—they’re a great way to sharpen your listening skills.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Check out How music theory can improve your songwriting skills.

Music begins with seven core notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. These repeat across octaves, with sharps (#) and flats (♭) filling in the spaces between. Think of them as the alphabet of music.

On a piano, the white keys represent these notes, while the black keys are sharps and flats. For guitarists, notes are spread across the fretboard, with each fret representing a half step.

🎵 Practice Exercise:

• Play the C major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) on your instrument. This scale has no sharps or flats, making it the perfect starting point.

• Say each note out loud as you play to reinforce its name and position.

• Experiment with sharps and flats by playing black keys on a piano or moving one fret up or down on a guitar.

► ARTMASTER TIP: If you want to learn music theory, try David Bennett's Music Theory for Beginners course on ArtMaster, where he breaks down scales, chords, and key concepts into simple, easy-to-follow lessons. You can try it out for free.

Rhythm is the backbone of music—it tells you when to play. Time signatures show how beats are grouped in a piece of music. For example:

• 4/4 time: Four beats per measure, the most common time signature in pop, rock, and hip-hop. Think of the steady beat in a song like Billie Jean.

• 3/4 time: Three beats per measure, often found in waltzes or classical music.

• 6/8 time: Six beats per measure, creating a rolling, lilting feel often heard in folk ballads or hymns.

🎵 Practice Exercise:

• Clap along to a favourite song and count the beats in each measure. Is it 4/4 or something else?

• Tap a steady beat with your foot and add claps or snaps on the off-beats (e.g., beats 2 and 4). This builds your rhythmic awareness.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Use a metronome to practice staying on time. Our free metronome tool is a great resource for building rhythm skills.

Scales are the foundation of music, providing the building blocks for melodies and chords. Start with the C major scale, as it uses only the white keys on a piano, making it easier to visualise.

• Major scales: These sound bright and happy. They follow a specific pattern: tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone.

• Minor scales: These have a more emotional, introspective quality. The natural minor scale follows this pattern: tone, semitone, tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone.

🎵 Practice Exercise:

• Play the C major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) slowly, naming each note as you go.

• Now play the A minor scale (A, B, C, D, E, F, G), which shares the same notes as C major but feels completely different.

• Create simple melodies using these scales to familiarize yourself with their sound.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Experiment with varying tempos and rhythms while practicing scales to make them feel natural and fun.

Watch David Bennett's excellent introduction to scales (below) from his Music Theory for Beginners course. It’s the perfect way to start building your music theory skills.

An interval is the distance between two notes. Understanding intervals helps you recognize melodies, harmonies, and chords.

• Major 2nd: Think of the first two notes of Happy Birthday.

• Minor 3rd: The riff in Smoke on the Water.

• Perfect 5th: The opening of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

🎵 Practice Exercise:

• Play two notes on your instrument and identify the interval between them. Start with small steps, like C to D (a major 2nd), and gradually work up to larger intervals.

• Link each interval to a familiar song to make it easier to remember.

► ARTMASTER TIP: To train your ear, play two notes on your instrument and see if you can identify their interval. Associating intervals with familiar tunes makes them easier to recognize, and this skill will become invaluable as you learn to harmonize or compose.

Chords are groups of notes played together, creating harmony. They’re built from intervals, starting with the root note:

• Major chords: Root + major third + perfect fifth (e.g., C, E, G). Bright and happy.

• Minor chords: Root + minor third + perfect fifth (e.g., A, C, E). Emotional and introspective.

🎵 Practice Exercise:

• Play the chord progression C–G–Am–F. You’ll recognise it from countless songs, from Let It Be to Shallow.

• Try different rhythms or break the chords into arpeggios (playing the notes one at a time).

Guitarists: Start with open chords (C, D, G, E minor, etc.), then tackle barre chords (like F, B minor) to unlock more shapes.

Keyboard players: Learn root position chords first, then explore inversions for smoother transitions between chords.

► ARTMASTER TIP: If you want to learn more about chords, check out our guides — How to play piano chords and How to play any guitar chord.

The Circle of Fifths visually connects keys and chords, showing how they relate. Moving clockwise adds sharps; counterclockwise adds flats.

🎵 How to Use It:

• Find related keys: For example, C major and A minor are next to each other because they share the same notes.

• Transpose songs: Use the Circle of Fifths to shift a chord progression into a different key to suit your vocal range or instrument.

The best way to bring music theory to life is by analyzing songs you already love. Pick a favourite tune and ask yourself:

• What key is it in? Does it sound happy (major) or moody (minor)?

• What’s the chord progression? Tools like Chordify can help identify common patterns.

• Are there any repeated motifs or variations?

► ARTMASTER TIP: Transpose the classic progression C–G–Am–F up by a whole tone (so C→D, G→A, Am→Bm, F→G). This will help enforce your understanding of intervals and transposition.

Ear training connects what you hear to what you play. It’s an essential skill for recognising intervals, chords, and melodies.

🎧 Daily Routine:

• Play a chord and hum each note. Is it major or minor?

• Listen to a melody and try to play it back by ear. Apps like EarMaster can help you practise recognising intervals and chord qualities.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Dedicate 5–10 minutes daily to ear training for significant improvement over time.

Theory isn’t just something to learn—it’s something to use.

• Practise chord transitions: Move between C, G, D, Am smoothly.

• Improvise: Try a backing track in C major—experiment with scale notes to create mini solos or melodies.

• Compose: Write a four-chord loop (e.g. I–IV–V–I in C major: C–F–G–C). Record yourself humming a melody on top, then tweak until it feels right.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Record your ideas and experiment with layering harmonies or adding rhythms. Hearing your creations come to life is one of the most rewarding parts of learning music theory.

At the end of the day, steady, bit-by-bit learning trumps massive cram sessions:

1. Short daily sessions
   Even 10 minutes exploring chord shapes or intervals leads to real progress.

2. Link theory to songs
   Whenever you learn a new concept, apply it to a track you love.

3. Celebrate milestones
   Each newly mastered chord change, scale run, or ear-training success is a step forward. Record weekly to hear the difference.

While self-study is valuable, a structured music theory course can fast-track your progress. With expert guidance, a clear learning path, and access to helpful resources, even complex concepts become easy to understand.

David Bennett’s Music Theory for Beginners course on ArtMaster is a fantastic choice. Through step-by-step lessons, hands-on exercises, and simple explanations, it makes learning music theory approachable, practical, and fun.

Why wait? Try it for free today!