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

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

Why do we call classical music ‘classical music’?

Why do we call classical music ‘classical music’?

Tone Deaf Comics theory sheet

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

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

Fibonacci sequence in music

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

Nirvana, but in a major key

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

Musician vocal ranges

We looked at the vocal ranges of these iconic singers — and they’re really impressive

Period Table from Tone Deaf Comics

This Periodic Table of composers makes music history really, really geeky

Trending on Classic FM

A talented 12-year-old ballerina has died in a missile strike minutes after leaving her ballet lesson.

12-year-old ballet dancer killed in Donetsk missile strike, along with grandmother and teacher
Britain’s Big Platinum Performance

The UK’s best amateur music groups – winners of Britain’s Big Platinum Performance announced
Chopins’ Funeral March, backwards.

Chopin’s ‘Funeral March’ played backwards sounds bizarrely psychedelic

Chopin

A beginner musician learns how to play the piano through augmented reality

Music in the Metaverse - learn to play the piano in this new augmented reality app

This week’s on-air highlights – including Album of the Week and Drive Discovery

This week’s radio highlights – including Album of the Week and Drive Discovery

Danny Boy: what are the lyrics and history behind the traditional Irish song?

Danny Boy: what are the lyrics and history behind the traditional Irish song?

Nicky Benedetti plays Scottish National Anthem at Glasgow Games opening ceremony

What are the lyrics to Scottish national anthem ‘Flower of Scotland’?

The violin that survived the Titanic belonged to bandmaster Wallace Hartley, who perished with the ship.

The 110-year-old Titanic violin that miraculously survived the sinking ship

One Voice Mixed Chorus perform, “Singing Darkness to Light” in 2019

How choirs can welcome trans singers: ‘It’s about creating a place of belonging’

Scam artists are posing as violinists in America, and pretending to play for money

Police across America issue warnings over busking scammers, pretending to play the violin

Latest music theory features

Can you pass Grade 1 music theory?

QUIZ: Could you pass Grade 1 music theory?

4 months ago

Lifestyle

Music theory Valentine’s Day cards

16 Valentine’s Day cards perfect for music theory nerds

5 months ago

Mr Bean soundtrack joke

A fan of the original ‘Mr Bean’ series has discovered the hilarious hidden joke in the soundtrack

6 months ago

Threatening Music Notation

13 horrifying music notations that will make you want to tear up your sheet music

6 months ago

What makes Christmas music sound so Christmassy?

What makes Christmas music sound so Christmassy?

7 months ago

Latest quizzes

See more Latest quizzes

Have you ever tested your musical IQ?

Are you a musical prodigy? Take this scientific music IQ test

1 month ago

Lifestyle

QUIZ: Can you unscramble these iconic classical composer names?

QUIZ: Can you unscramble these iconic classical composer names?

3 months ago

Lifestyle

Can you guess the John Williams film score from the cryptic emoji sequence?

Can you guess the John Williams film score from the cryptic emoji sequence?

3 months ago

Lifestyle

Which opera character is your soulmate?

We’ll reveal your opera soulmate from this in-depth personality quiz

5 months ago

Lifestyle

Pick your favourite classical music and we’ll reveal your best personality trait

Pick your favourite classical music and we’ll reveal your best personality trait

5 months ago

Lifestyle

Latest features

See more Latest features

South Africa’s national anthem: what are the lyrics and why are there two separate songs?

South Africa’s national anthem: what are the lyrics and why are there two separate songs?

7 days ago

New Zealand singer Hayley Westenra sings ‘God Defend New Zealand’

New Zealand national anthem: what are the lyrics and who wrote ‘God Defend New Zealand’?

7 days ago

Australian national anthem

Australia national anthem: what are the lyrics to ‘Advance Australia Fair’?

7 days ago

RCM piano professor, Alexander Romanovsky, was recently filmed playing for Russian state-controlled media in Mariupol

Royal College of Music suspends professor who played piano amid Russian ‘war crime’ remains

8 days ago

Parry’s ‘Jerusalem’ plays as English cyclist Laura Kenny receives her gold medal after winning the women’s 10km scratch race at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Why ‘Jerusalem’ is played for winning English athletes at the Commonwealth Games

8 days ago

Parry