Lesson 1: Introduction
Pop Music Theory is a
free, online, music theory and
songwriting course.
Pop Music Theory
starts at the beginning (no prior music knowledge
required). Our goal is for you to learn to
analyze how real songs are
composed, and apply the ideas you learn to
creating your own music.
Pop vs. Classical
Different "music theory languages" are used for different types of music:
-
Traditional "classical" or "common practice period" music theory is
used for music in the styles of, for example, Bach or Beethoven.
-
"Pop" music theory works better for understanding modern "popular"
music styles (including rock, blues, R&B, country, jazz, etc.).
The basics (pitch names, major scales, written notes) of classical and
pop theory are the same, but they quickly diverge as we get more advanced.
This
Pop Music Theory course uses pop theory language, and we focus on
understanding modern
popular music.
Playing vs. Composing
Music theory can be divided into:
-
"Playing" theory: Things you need to know just to play pop
music, e.g. playing chords or reading rhythms.
-
"Composing" theory: Understanding how songs are actually written,
e.g. choosing chords and composing melodies.
This course covers both playing theory and composing theory. We cover "playing
theory" because it's the foundation of "composing theory"; but our main goal
is the "composing theory", to understand how real songs are created, to help
you
create your own music.
A Plan for Beginners
This course
starts at the beginning; you can start these lessons with
no music knowledge at all. However, this is not a one-stop "complete music
course". In addition to the "theory" and songwriting tips in these lessons,
you also need to:
Learn to play lots of songs!
Once you've worked through
Lesson 16: Minor Triad Games in this course, you'll
know enough to start learning to play real songs. This course doesn't teach
you to
play songs; it would take too long, and most people do best with
a real in-person piano/keyboard or guitar teacher.
After
Lesson 16: Minor Triad Games, once you've learned to play a few songs,
then you'll be ready to continue in these lessons (but keep learning to play
more songs too!), to understand how the songs are created and help you create
your own. Of course, you
can take this whole course without playing any
songs, but you'll understand it much better if you're playing songs also.
Next:
