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

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

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

Latest on Classic FM

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

10 best Christmas concerts from Classic FM’s partner orchestras

Christmas

Vote for your favourite Christmas carol for the chance to win a £500 voucher

Vote in The Nation’s Favourite Carol for the chance to win a £500 voucher

Christmas

George and Mary in the original 1946 film and the 2022 English National Opera production

Why beloved Christmas film ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ makes the perfect opera

ENO

What are the lyrics to Portugal’s national anthem?

What are the lyrics to Portugal’s national anthem? And what are the words in English?

South Korea's players sing the national anthem prior to a friendly football match with Japan

What is South Korea’s national anthem, and what are the lyrics?

Brazil's players sing Brazilian national anthem at 2014 FIFA World Cup

What are the lyrics to Brazil’s national anthem, and why is it shortened at the World Cup?

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

Classic FM is the home of Christmas music

Advent music: 10 best carols and hymns to begin the festive season

Christmas

Classic FM is the home of Christmas music

Classic FM Christmas playlist – here’s how to listen

Christmas

New York Philharmonic

Women now outnumber men in the New York Philharmonic, for the first time ever

New York Phil

Latest music theory features

Fibonacci sequence in music

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

6 months ago

Nirvana, but in a major key

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

6 months ago

Musician vocal ranges

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

6 months ago

Period Table from Tone Deaf Comics

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

6 months ago

Can you pass Grade 1 music theory?

QUIZ: Could you pass Grade 1 music theory?

8 months ago

Lifestyle

Latest quizzes

See more Latest quizzes

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

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

28 days 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?

1 month 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?

2 months ago

Lifestyle

How old is your soul?

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

3 months ago

Lifestyle

Have you ever tested your musical IQ?

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

4 months ago

Lifestyle

Latest features

See more Latest features

Final Rehearsals For Birmingham Repertory's Production Of The Snowman

The Snowman: what’s the story, who wrote the music and did Aled Jones sing ‘Walking in the Air’?

6 days ago

What are the lyrics to ‘Carol of the Bells’?

What are the lyrics to ‘Carol of the Bells’, and what are its origins?

6 days ago

Christmas

SANSARA at Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, London

Top UK choir records powerful new Ukrainian choral work in response to Russia’s invasion

8 days ago

13 great gift ideas for classical music lovers this Christmas

13 great gift ideas for classical music lovers this Christmas

9 days ago

Christmas

The Royal Albert Hall has been the home of Christmas in London for the last 150 years.

Christmas 2022 at the Royal Albert Hall – tickets on sale now!

10 days ago

Events