Music Theory For Songwriters

Navigate the piano by identifying white keys, the two- and three-key black key groups, mapping notes A–G, and learning that sharps go up while flats go down.

Learn how half steps and whole steps form the building blocks for tetrachords and major scales, with practice on chromatic and whole-tone scales across piano, guitar, and more.

Explore tetrachords as scale fragments built from whole steps and a half step, the building blocks of scales, using the pattern whole step, whole step, half step and alphabet naming.

Explore tetrachords on the piano by building tetrachords for each natural note with a whole-step, whole-step, half-step pattern, and practice writing C–D–E–F, E–F#–G#–A, and F–G–A–Bb.

Build the major scale from two tetrachords, then assemble C and D major scales, applying the whole-step and half-step formula with sharps or flats.

Discover how to build diatonic chords from a major scale, creating the I through VII triads in any key, using the scale notes and intervals.

Distinguish major and minor chords by the interval from root to third: major third equals two whole steps, minor third equals a whole step and a half step.

Discover primary chords and auxiliary chords in major and minor contexts, including diminished seventh chords, learning that the one chord is always major and patterns persist in every key.

Practice the G major scale using the every-other-note method to map one, four, five as major, two, three, six as minor, and seven diminished, then play to improve improvisation.

Explore how to create effective chord progressions using diatonic chords (1-4-5) and auxiliary chords (2-3-6), practice in different keys, and study jazz, classical, rock, metal patterns like the 12-bar blues.

Analyze chord progressions by tracing the one, two, four, five, and six chords from heart and soul, don't stop believin, and heart will go on, using scale degrees in c.

Write melodies by selecting notes from the major scale in the current key, stay in key to avoid wrong notes, and note that 1, 3, and 5 feel most resolved.

Learn to build melodies from scale degrees using familiar tunes like Ode to Joy, Mary Had A Little Lamb, and The Scientist, in a chosen key, then improvise.

Match melody notes to chords, using notes like C, E, and G under the C chord, then explore primary chords 1, 5, 4 and six minor to keep melodies flexible.

Write your own simple melody, anchor it with chords, then transpose the progression into several keys to practice scales, chords, and key relationships for songwriters.

This ear training basics lesson teaches you to hear melodic intervals by singing and matching notes, then recognize diatonic chords from one to six, noting their moods.

Explore whether melody or lyrics should lead a song, embrace off‑the‑cuff creativity by turning off judgment, chase goosebumps, and learn to finish or repurpose unfinished ideas through practice.

Learn sheet music basics by reading treble and bass clefs and identifying guide notes g and f. Practice recognizing whole, half, and quarter notes, and understand simple time signatures.