01
What Is Sound?
Sound is a vibration that travels through the air to your ear. Learn the four properties of every musical sound: pitch, duration, intensity, and timbre.
Module 1 · Reading Music
Learn music theory — free course
One idea per lesson. A detailed page plus a short video capsule, from absolute beginner to expert.
Lesson 1 of 7 · 2:44What Is Sound?
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01Module 1 · Beginner
Reading Music
6 chapters · 46 lessons · 9 of 46 lessons online
Chapter 1Sound, music and writing
7 of 7 lessons online
02
Pitch in Music
Pitch is how high or low a sound is: fast vibrations make high sounds, slow vibrations make low sounds. Learn to hear pitch and understand frequency.
03
Duration in Music
Duration is how long a sound lasts, from a ringing bell to a quick clap. Learn how long and short sounds combine to create rhythm in music.
04
What Is Intensity in Music?
Intensity in music is how loud or soft a sound is, set by the amplitude of its vibration. Learn to hear it, see it as a wave, and control it as you play.
05
What Is Timbre in Music?
Timbre is what makes a piano and a violin sound different on the same note. Learn how sound color works, where it comes from, and how to hear it fast.
06
What Is Music?
Music is the art of organizing sounds in time using pitch, duration, intensity, and timbre. Learn what separates music from noise, with clear examples.
07
Why We Write Music Down
Music notation is memory and a universal language: it writes pitch up and down and time left to right. Discover why written music changed everything.
Chapter 2The notes and the piano keyboard
2 of 10 lessons online
09
A B C D E F G
The seven letters A B C D E F G name every note in music: A is la, C is do. Learn how the musical alphabet works, loops after G, and maps to do re mi.
8 more lessons coming soon
- Chapter 3The staff and the anatomy of a note4 lessonsComing soon
- Chapter 4Clefs and the grand staff13 lessonsComing soon
- Chapter 5Accidentals and enharmonics7 lessonsComing soon
- Chapter 6Reading notes fast: the method5 lessonsComing soon
The whole course
Nine modules, one path
From your very first sound to fugue and orchestration: the complete curriculum, published module by module.
Reading Music
Beginner – IntermediateOpen now
Rhythm, meter & tempo
Beginner – ExpertComing soon
Intervals, scales, keys & modes
Beginner – AdvancedComing soon
Functional harmony I: chords, degrees & cadences
Beginner – AdvancedComing soon
Expression, interpretation, ornaments & reading
Beginner – ExpertComing soon
Harmony II: advanced harmony, jazz & popular music
Beginner – ExpertComing soon
Counterpoint & voice leading
Beginner – ExpertComing soon
Form, analysis & composition
Beginner – ExpertComing soon
Instruments, orchestration, acoustics & world music
Beginner – ExpertComing soon
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