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.

Watch

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’

Watch

Most shared music theory features

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
Fibonacci sequence in music

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

Nirvana, but in a major key

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

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

Period Table from Tone Deaf Comics

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

Can you pass Grade 1 music theory?

QUIZ: Could you pass Grade 1 music theory?

Lifestyle

Music theory Valentine’s Day cards

16 Valentine’s Day cards perfect for music theory nerds

Trending on Classic FM

Julie Berthollet, 25, was attacked on the road where she currently lives in Paris

25-year-old classical violinist mugged twice within minutes, on the streets of Paris

Camille & Julie

Andrea Bocelli facts – wife, children, songs

Andrea Bocelli: wife, famous songs, family and everything to know about the Italian tenor

Andrea Bocelli

PRODIJIG Vivaldi dance

Vivaldi meets Riverdance: Irish dancers create thrilling take on ‘The Four Seasons’

Videos

10 pieces of classical music for a perfect night’s relaxation

10 pieces of classical music for a perfect night’s relaxation
I am an opera singer

7-year-old asked to describe her opera singer dad’s job gives the cutest response
Have you ever tested your musical IQ?

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

Lifestyle

Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov’s estate was engulfed in flames over the weekend

Rimsky-Korsakov’s estate devastated by fire, destroying over 1,000 valuable artefacts

Rimsky-Korsakov

Is Austin Butler really singing and playing guitar in his role as rock 'n' roll legend, Elvis Presley?

Is Austin Butler really singing and playing guitar in ‘Elvis’ movie?
Hakuna matata

What does ‘Hakuna matata’ in The Lion King actually mean?

This week’s on-air highlights – including Album of the Week and Drive Discovery

This week’s on-air highlights – including Album of theThis week’s on-air highlights – including Album of the Week and Drive Discovery

Latest music theory features

Mr Bean soundtrack joke

A fan of the original ‘Mr Bean’ series has discovered the hilarious hidden joke in the soundtrack

5 months ago

Threatening Music Notation

13 horrifying music notations that will make you want to tear up your sheet music

5 months ago

What makes Christmas music sound so Christmassy?

What makes Christmas music sound so Christmassy?

6 months ago

The history of the Christmas carol

The surprising origins of Christmas carols: explained

6 months ago

Christmas

Auld Lang Syne

What are the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne, and what does Auld Lang Syne actually mean?

6 months ago

Latest quizzes

See more Latest quizzes

QUIZ: Can you unscramble these iconic classical composer names?

QUIZ: Can you unscramble these iconic classical composer names?

1 month ago

Lifestyle

Can you guess the John Williams film score from the cryptic emoji sequence?

Can you guess the John Williams film score from the cryptic emoji sequence?

2 months ago

Lifestyle

Which opera character is your soulmate?

We’ll reveal your opera soulmate from this in-depth personality quiz

3 months ago

Lifestyle

Pick your favourite classical music and we’ll reveal your best personality trait

Pick your favourite classical music and we’ll reveal your best personality trait

4 months ago

Lifestyle

Mozart knows your deepest desires...

This classical music personality test will reveal your deepest desire

5 months ago

Lifestyle

Latest features

See more Latest features

What are the lyrics to ‘O Fortuna’ from Carmina Burana?

What are the lyrics to ‘O Fortuna’ from Carmina Burana?

5 days ago

Hardest piano pieces

These are the hardest pieces ever written for the piano

5 days ago

Beethoven meme

A maths teacher accidentally made a music meme that trolled the world

5 days ago

Andrew Lloyd Webber at the 2016 Broadway revival of CATS

Andrew Lloyd Webber: wife, children, musicals and everything you need to know

6 days ago

Lloyd Webber

Be Thou My Vision has Irish origins – pictured, Letterkenny cathedral in Donegal, Ireland

Be Thou My Vision: what are the lyrics and who wrote the hymn?

6 days ago