Music theory

What is music theory?

What is music theory?

Music theory is the foundation of great music, and the all-important set of rules that most music follows – from harmony and melody, to rhythm.

Find all our latest music theory features and analyses here.

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Music theory features

Circle of fifths new asset

What is the circle of fifths?

QUIZ: Could you pass Grade 5 music theory?

QUIZ: Could you pass Grade 5 music theory?

Lifestyle

muses greek mythology

Modes: What are they and how do I use them?

Music theory song

One song that teaches you everything about music theory

Music theory analysis

david cameron humming musical analysis

We’ve done a musical analysis of the tune David Cameron was humming outside Downing Street

Exclusive
Lady Gaga sings at Joe Biden's Inauguration

We asked a professional soprano to appraise Lady Gaga’s national anthem at the Biden inauguration

How good is Billie Eilish’s singing voice, from a classical music perspective?

How good is Billie Eilish’s singing voice, from a classical music perspective?

All I Want For Christmas Is You

A music theory analysis of Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’

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Most shared music theory features

David Bowie Life on Mars

David Bowie’s isolated vocals from ‘Life On Mars’ reveals the true power of his tenor range

Auld Lang Syne

What are the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne, and what does Auld Lang Syne actually mean?

What does this song teach us about music theory...?

Why ‘Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire’ is the perfect song to teach music theory

Bats have a wider vocal range than Mariah Carey, at an astonishing seven octaves

Bats have a wider vocal range than Mariah Carey, at an astonishing seven octaves

Music literacy matters T-shirt

‘I like to eat puppies’ – viral t-shirt shows why musical literacy is important

JS Bach Happy Birthday

‘Happy Birthday’ – but it’s in the style of a Johann Sebastian Bach fugue

Bach

Amadeus Café, Mahon

This restaurant wanted to put some beautiful music on their menu… and made a really bad choice

Metrolinx’s new train posters have caused havoc among musicians online.

A train company poster features dubious music notation – and musicians are not on board

Latest on Classic FM

What classical music is in Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans’?

What classical music is in Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans’, and does Michelle Williams really play the piano?

Williams

Best piano works

The 16 best pieces EVER written for piano

15 most famous opera songs and arias

15 most famous opera songs and arias

A smaller, but still immense, 5,000 strong choir in Japan sing Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’

Listen to this 10,000-strong Japanese megachoir sing Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’

Beethoven

The traditional ‘piping in of the haggis’

The haggis gets its own entrance music on Burns Night – here’s what it sounds like

9-year-old violinist Sora Lavorgna plays Richter's 'Summer 1' in finals of 'Prodiges'

9-year-old violin prodigy plays Max Richter’s thrilling take on Vivaldi ‘Summer’ in talent show finale
Kelvin Harrison Jr. stars as Joseph Boulogne in 'Chevalier' (2023)

‘Chevalier’ film: plot, release date, cast and all details about the Joseph Boulogne biopic
Classic FM Live at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2022

Classic FM Live 2023 at the Royal Albert Hall: get your tickets to enjoy opera’s greatest hits!

Events

Martha Argerich Performs With The Youth Orchestra de Bahia in 2018

Pianist Martha Argerich cancels performances due to heart-related health condition

Martha Argerich

John Williams makes history as oldest person to be nominated for an Academy Award

John Williams makes history as oldest person to be nominated for an Academy Award

Latest music theory features

Why do we call classical music ‘classical music’?

Why do we call classical music ‘classical music’?

6 months ago

Tone Deaf Comics theory sheet

This genius music theory cheat sheet is all you’ll ever need

7 months ago

Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ musical analysis

The genius harmonic sequence that gives Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ its emotional power

7 months ago

Fibonacci sequence in music

What is the Fibonacci Sequence – and why is it the secret to musical greatness?

8 months ago

Nirvana, but in a major key

Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ remixed in a major key shows the importance of tonality

8 months ago

Latest quizzes

See more Latest quizzes

What song did Olivia Olson sing in Love Actually? Take our quiz if you know the answer...

The Ultimate Christmas Movie Music Quiz

1 month ago

Lifestyle

We can accurately guess your birth month from your classical music preferences

We can accurately guess your birth month from your classical music preferences

2 months ago

Lifestyle

How far can you get in this classical music ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ quiz?

How far can you get in this classical music ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ quiz?

3 months ago

Lifestyle

Put the musical instrument in its correct place in the orchestra

QUIZ: Can you put the musical instrument in its correct place in the orchestra?

4 months ago

Lifestyle

How old is your soul?

How old is your soul, based on your classical music taste?

5 months ago

Lifestyle

Latest features

See more Latest features

Steven Spielberg confirms plans to make a documentary on film composer John Williams.

Steven Spielberg confirms a documentary on film music legend John Williams is coming

5 days ago

Cellist HAUSER plays ‘Phantom of the Opera’ on Lloyd Webber musical’s 35th anniversary

Cellist HAUSER plays ‘Phantom of the Opera’ on Lloyd Webber musical’s 35th anniversary

5 days ago

Lloyd Webber

Xiaole the piano playing robot

Watch the piano-playing robot developed by leading AI lab that can also read human emotions

5 days ago

Videos

King Charles’ Coronation Concert will take place the day after his coronation

King Charles III’s coronation and concert: what music could feature over the Royal weekend?

6 days ago

RIOPY

Meet RIOPY: the unbreakable French pianist who escaped a childhood cult

8 days ago