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Home > Music Resources > Music Theory
The web sites featured below provide music theory lessons, exercises and reference information.
Some of the web sites also offer other facilities, such as audio training - links to web sites which provide online aural training can be found on the Aural Trainers page.
Which web site explains music theory in the best way for you? Check how each site explains a sample page:
either click the link given on each slideshow image to go to the individual theory web site ...
... or click the thumbnails for a quick pop-up image of a page which explains Time Signatures
EXERCISES
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LESSONS
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(+ additional fee services)
EXERCISES
iOS-app
LESSONS
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for quick pop-up, click thumnail
With thanks to mymusictheory, musictheory, musictheoryonline, ThinkQuest, Dolmetsch and teoria for the use of images of their web sites.
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Links to other music resources on Polkadot Music include links to web sites about free sheet music, aural trainers, classical composers and classical music forums.
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mymusictheory provides a mixture of free and paid-for resources. In addition to free online courses and exercises, students can also subscribe to supplementary resources including a coaching and marking service. There are courses and exercises for all theory grades up to Grade 7, plus composition training for Grade 5 students.
The musictheory web site has lessons and online
exercises. Those relating to the staff cover the identification of notes, key signatures, intervals and chords. Lessons can be viewed either in image or slideshow format, and an audio interactive pop-up keyboard is available. Either British or American terminology can be selected.
The musictheoryonline web site is UK-based and geared to the ABRSM and Trinity examinations in music theory. It is split into Fundamental and Advanced As well as lessons and exercises, the web site also contains practice exam papers for both examination boards up to Grade 5, together with past exam papers for Trinity up to Grade 8.
The ThinkQuest web site is written by students for students. It provides clear and concise explanations of the fundamentals of music theory. Because it is a US site, the terminology sometimes differs from that used in the UK - for example it refers to half-steps instead of semitones, and quarter-notes instead of crotchets.
The Dolmetsch web site is a comprehensive and immense resource. It does not offer lessons, but provides detailed reference information about music theory/history. In 2007 its contribution to music education was recognised with an award from MERLOT (Califonia State University's Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching).
English/Spanish web site teoria aims to introduce to students the fundamental concepts of music theory. It provides tutorials and exercises, using both British and American terminology, and also a reference section. In 2006, it was awarded the MERLOT Classic Award, with a 5-star rating for content, ease of use and effectiveness.
Please note that information is given in good faith and Polkadot Music cannot be held responsible if it is changed without our knowledge.