Basic Music Theory: A Practical Guide for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 20 June 2023 8 min read

Whether you're just starting out as a musician or simply wanting to better understand the language of music, mastering basic music theory is a fundamental skill. In this practical guide, we'll explore the essentials of music theory, making it approachable and easy to understand for beginners. So, let's dive into the world of music notation, scales, chords, and more!

Understanding Music Notation

Music notation is the system used to visually represent music, making it possible to communicate and share ideas with other musicians. Let's start by looking at the key components of music notation that you'll need to know.

Reading Staff and Clefs

The staff is the foundation of music notation, consisting of five parallel lines on which notes are placed. Notes can be located on the lines or in the spaces between them. The position of a note on the staff indicates its pitch. There are two main clefs used in music notation:

Treble Clef: Used for higher-pitched instruments and voices, such as the violin, flute, and soprano voice. It's also known as the "G Clef" because it circles around the second line from the bottom, where the note G is located.
Bass Clef: Used for lower-pitched instruments and voices, such as the cello, bassoon, and bass voice. It's also known as the "F Clef" because it has two dots surrounding the fourth line from the bottom, where the note F is located.

By learning to read both clefs, you'll be able to understand music for a wide range of instruments and voices.

Note Values and Rests

Notes and rests are the building blocks of rhythm in music. Each note has a specific duration, while rests indicate silence. Here are some basic note values and their corresponding rests:

Whole Note: Lasts for four beats; represented by an open circle. The whole rest is a small rectangle hanging from the second line.
Half Note: Lasts for two beats; represented by an open circle with a stem. The half rest is a small rectangle sitting on the third line.
Quarter Note: Lasts for one beat; represented by a filled-in circle with a stem. The quarter rest is a squiggly line.
Eighth Note: Lasts for half a beat; represented by a filled-in circle with a stem and a flag. The eighth rest is similar to the quarter rest but with an additional hook at the bottom.

As you progress in your basic music theory studies, you'll encounter more complex note values and rests, but these are the most common ones to start with.

Time Signatures

Time signatures tell you how many beats are in each measure and which note value receives one beat. Time signatures consist of two numbers, written like a fraction:

The top number indicates the number of beats in a measure.
The bottom number represents the note value that gets one beat.

For example, a 4/4 time signature means there are four beats in a measure, and the quarter note receives one beat. This is also known as "common time" because it's widely used in many genres of music.

Now that you have a basic understanding of music notation, let's move on to scales and keys!

Scales and Keys

Scales are a sequence of notes played in ascending or descending order. They provide the foundation for melodies and harmonies in music. A key, on the other hand, is a group of notes from which a piece of music is primarily composed. Understanding scales and keys is crucial in basic music theory, as they help you identify the tonal center of a piece and create harmonious melodies and progressions.

Major Scales

Major scales are the most familiar and widely used scales in Western music. They have a bright and uplifting sound. A major scale consists of seven distinct notes, with the eighth note repeating the first note an octave higher. The formula for building a major scale is a specific pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H):

W - W - H - W - W - W - H

For example, the C major scale has no sharps or flats and follows this pattern: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.

Minor Scales

Minor scales have a darker and more somber sound compared to major scales. There are three types of minor scales: natural, harmonic, and melodic. The natural minor scale is the most basic of the three, and its formula is:

W - H - W - W - H - W - W

For example, the A natural minor scale also has no sharps or flats: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A.

Harmonic and melodic minor scales have slightly different patterns, but for now, focus on understanding the natural minor scale as you begin your journey into basic music theory.

Circle of Fifths

The Circle of Fifths is a visual representation of the relationships between all 12 major and minor keys. It's a helpful tool for understanding key signatures, building scales, and finding closely related keys. The Circle of Fifths is arranged clockwise, with each key being a perfect fifth apart from the previous one. For example, starting with C major and moving clockwise, the next key is G major, followed by D major, and so on.

As you move around the circle, you'll also notice that the number of sharps or flats in each key increases by one. This pattern helps you quickly determine the key signature of any major or minor key.

Now that we've covered scales and keys, let's explore chords and harmony.

Chords and Harmony

Chords are a group of notes played simultaneously, creating harmony in music. When you combine chords with melodies, you add depth, emotion, and richness to a piece. Understanding the basics of chords and harmony is essential in basic music theory, as it helps you compose and arrange music effectively.

Building Chords

Building chords starts with understanding intervals, which are the distance between two notes. The most basic and common chords are triads, which consist of three notes—a root, a third, and a fifth. There are four types of triads:

Major: Root, major third, perfect fifth
Minor: Root, minor third, perfect fifth
Augmented: Root, major third, augmented fifth
Diminished: Root, minor third, diminished fifth

For example, the C major triad is made up of C (root), E (major third), and G (perfect fifth).

Chord Progressions

Chord progressions are a series of chords played in a specific order. They provide the harmonic foundation for a piece of music. A common progression in basic music theory is the I-IV-V progression, where the Roman numerals represent the scale degrees of the chords in a major key. In the key of C major, this would be:

C major (I) - F major (IV) - G major (V)

Another popular progression is the ii-V-I, which is widely used in jazz music. In the key of C major, this would be:

D minor (ii) - G major (V) - C major (I)

By understanding chord progressions, you can create interesting and engaging harmonies for your music.

Common Chord Structures

Beyond triads, there are other common chord structures you'll encounter in basic music theory. These include:

Seventh chords: A four-note chord with an additional seventh interval from the root. For example, C major seventh (Cmaj7) includes the notes C, E, G, and B.
Suspended chords: These chords replace the third with either a second or fourth interval from the root, creating a sense of tension or suspension. For example, C suspended second (Csus2) includes the notes C, D, and G.
Slash chords: A chord with a different note in the bass position (written as a "slash" chord, e.g., C/E, which is a C major chord with an E in the bass).

By mastering these chord structures, you'll have a solid foundation for creating harmonies and arrangements in your music. Now let's move on to rhythm and meter.

Rhythm and Meter

Rhythm and meter are the building blocks of music, providing the framework for melodies, harmonies, and chords. They set the pace, create movement, and establish the overall "feel" of a piece. In this section, we'll explore the basic concepts of rhythm and meter in basic music theory.

Pulse and Tempo

The pulse, or beat, is the steady, underlying rhythm that drives a piece of music. Tempo is the speed at which the beats occur, measured in beats per minute (BPM). There is a wide range of tempos in music, from slow and relaxed to fast and energetic. Some common tempo markings include:

Adagio: Slow and stately (around 66-76 BPM)
Andante: At a walking pace (around 76-108 BPM)
Moderato: Moderately (around 108-120 BPM)
Allegro: Fast and lively (around 120-168 BPM)
Presto: Very fast (around 168-200 BPM)

By setting the tempo of your piece, you can create a specific mood or atmosphere, from calm and soothing to intense and exciting.

Basic Rhythmic Patterns

Rhythmic patterns are combinations of note values and rests that create the rhythmic structure of a piece. In basic music theory, you'll encounter various note values, including:

Whole notes: 4 beats
Half notes: 2 beats
Quarter notes: 1 beat
Eighth notes: 1/2 beat
Sixteenth notes: 1/4 beat

By combining these note values and rests, you can create a wide range of rhythmic patterns to bring your melodies and harmonies to life.

Syncopation and Accent

Syncopation is a rhythmic technique where emphasis is placed on off-beats or weaker beats, creating a sense of surprise or excitement. This can be achieved by using accents, ties, or rests to shift the emphasis away from the expected beat. Syncopation is commonly used in many genres of music, including jazz, funk, and pop.

Accents, on the other hand, are markings that indicate a note should be played with more emphasis or force than the surrounding notes. This can help you create dynamic contrast and interest in your music.

By incorporating syncopation and accents into your compositions, you can create engaging and memorable rhythms that keep your listeners hooked.

Now that we've covered rhythm and meter, let's move on to melody and form to complete our journey through basic music theory.

Melody and Form

Melody and form are integral parts of basic music theory as they bring structure, beauty, and emotion to a musical piece. Melodies are the memorable tunes that catch our ears, while form gives the music a sense of organization and progression. Let's dive into these two essential components.

Phrasing and Contour

Phrasing is the way in which a melody is broken up into smaller, cohesive units, similar to sentences in writing. Good phrasing gives a melody its shape, making it easier to follow and remember. Phrases usually last for four to eight bars and often end with a cadence, a harmonic progression that signals the end of a phrase.

Contour refers to the shape of a melody, created by the pattern of ascending and descending pitches. By varying the contour of your melodies, you can create different moods and emotions. Some common melodic contours include:

Arch: Starts low, rises to a peak, then descends
Descending: Gradually moves downward
Ascending: Gradually moves upward
Wavelike: Alternates between ascending and descending patterns

Experimenting with different phrasing and contour techniques can help you create captivating and memorable melodies.

Repetition and Variation

Repetition and variation are essential tools in composing melodies. Repetition helps to establish a theme, making the melody more recognizable and memorable, while variation adds interest and prevents the music from becoming monotonous. Some ways to incorporate repetition and variation include:

Sequence: Repeat a melodic pattern at a higher or lower pitch
Inversion: Flip the melody upside down, so ascending intervals become descending and vice versa
Retrograde: Reverse the order of the melody
Augmentation: Increase the duration of the note values
Diminution: Decrease the duration of the note values

By balancing repetition and variation in your melodies, you can create a sense of unity while maintaining interest for your listeners.

Common Song Structures

Song structure refers to the organization of different sections within a piece of music. In basic music theory, there are several common song structures that are used across various genres. Some examples include:

Verse-Chorus: Alternates between verse and chorus sections, often with a bridge near the end
ABA: Features an A section, followed by a contrasting B section, and returns to the A section
ABAB: Alternates between two distinct sections (A and B)
Rondo: A main theme alternates with contrasting episodes (ABACA, ABACABA, etc.)

Understanding and experimenting with different song structures can help you create more engaging and satisfying musical compositions.

With this practical guide to basic music theory, you now have a solid foundation to start exploring the world of music composition and analysis. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting and learning to become a more skilled musician. Happy composing!

If you're fascinated by the idea of creating music from unconventional sources, don't miss the workshop 'Making Music From Everyday Sounds' by Tom Glendinning. This workshop will teach you how to transform ordinary sounds from your surroundings into extraordinary musical masterpieces. Dive into the world of sound design and unleash your creativity!