Documentation
Note Reading
Documentation Note Reading
Note Reading is accessible via the main menu.
Note Reading chapter block
The chapters can be reached via the Note Reading chapter block.
Chapters
Note Reading is divided into 10 chapters, from Chapter 1. Natural Notes up to and including Chapter 10. G-clef.
The basics are contained in Chapter 1. Natural Notes up to and including Chapter 6. Accidentals. The principles of reading notes are explained and practised in these six chapters.
- Chapter 7. Ledger Lines is the continuation of Chapter 5. Reading All Notes.
- Chapter 8. C-clef is intended for instruments which use the C-clef (such as viola, bassoon, cello and double bass).
- Chapter 9. F-clef is intended for voices and instruments which use the F-clef (such as bass, baritone, bassoon, trombone, double bass).
- Chapter 10. G-clef is intended for voices and instruments which use the G-clef (such as soprano, violin, trumpet, guitar, hobo, clarinet).
Practise
- Exercises: links to the Note Reading Exercises page.
- My Exercises: the results of all your completed exercises.
Support
- Documentation: links to this manual.
- Forum: ask a question on the Forum.
Theory, Practice and Audio example
A chapter is subdivided into the tabs: Theory, Practice and Audio Example.
If no exercise or audio example is available for a chapter, the corresponding tab is omitted.
The Theory tab: theory, video, more explanation and tracking progress
You can find the theory of this chapter in the Theory-tab.
- Tracking progress: by clicking on you can keep track of your progress.
- Explanation with video: for more video explanation.
- More explanation with piano: for more piano keyboard explanation.
- More explanation with images: for more image explanation.
- Audio example: theory is made alive with an audio example.
- Note Reading exercises button: links to the corresponding exercise.
The Practise-tab
With the Note Reading exercise button you go to the corresponding exercise.
Exercises page
An overwiew of all exercises can be viewed in the Note Reading Exercises page. It is important to practise these exercises – and often. The exercises can be repeated as often as needed. The questions are randomly arranged, with new questions.
Tip: use an instrument as often as possible when practising an exercise.
For more information about exercises see Documentation Exercises.
For more information about My Exercises see Documentation My Exercises.
The Audio example-tab
Note Reading is made alive with an audio example.
- Tooltip: if the text is underlined in blue, an image or a musical sample appears.
- Audio example: theory is made alive with an audio example.
The progress block
The progress block shows an overview of your progress for all chapters.
By clicking on you can keep track of your progress.
For more information see Documentation Tracking progress.
Table of Contents Note Reading
Table of Contents Note Reading
Chapter 1: Natural notes
- The layout of the keyboard.
- Names of the white keys, natural notes.
Exercises
- Exercise 1: Natural notes: practise the names of the white keys.
Chapter 2: Staff
- Notation of natural notes on the staff.
- Introduction of clefs.
Table of Contents Note Reading
Chapter 3: Clefs
- Meaning of clefs.
- The C-clef, F-clef and G-clef.
Chapter 4: Grand staff
- The two staves used for the piano.
- Using the F-clef and G-clef.
- Learning to read smart notes.
Exercises
- Exercise 2a: Smart notes: practise reading smart notes.
- Exercise 2b: Smart notes with time limit: practise reading smart notes with time limit of 4 minutes.
Table of Contents Note Reading
Chapter 5: Reading all notes
- Using smart notes to read all notes.
- Learning to read all notes.
Exercises
- Exercise 3a: Reading G-clef notes.
- Exercise 3b: Reading F-clef notes.
- Exercise 3c: Reading all notes: practise reading all notes.
- Exercise 3d: Reading all notes with time limit: practise reading all notes with time limit of 4 minutes.
- Exercise 3e: Reading all notes with invisible clef.
Table of Contents Note Reading
Chapter 6: Accidentals
- Names of the notes with a sharp or flat.
- Learning to read notes with sharp and flat.
- Names of the notes with a double sharp or double flat.
- Learning to read notes with double sharp and double flat.
Exercises
- Exercise 4a: Accidentals: reading notes with sharp and flat.
- Exercise 4b: Accidentals: reading notes with sharp and flat additional exercise.
- Exercise 4c: Accidentals: reading notes with double sharp and double flat.
Table of Contents Note Reading
Chapter 7: Ledger lines
- How to write notes above or below the staff.
- Using ledger lines.
- Learning to read smart notes with ledger lines.
- Learning to read all notes with ledger lines.
Exercises
- Exercise 5a: Smart notes with ledger lines: practise reading smart notes.
- Exercise 5b: Smart notes with ledger lines with time limit: practise reading smart notes with time limit of 3 minutes.
- Exercise 6a: Reading all notes with ledger lines: practise reading all notes.
- Exercise 6b: Reading all notes with ledger lines with time limit: practise reading all notes with time limit of 5 minutes.
Table of Contents Note Reading
Chapter 8: C-clef
- Reading notes in C-clef.
- Alto clef and Tenor clef.
- Learning to read smart notes.
- Learning to read all notes.
Exercises
- Exercise 7a: Alto clef: practise reading smart notes.
- Exercise 7b: Alto clef: practise reading all notes in alto clef.
- Exercise 7c: Tenor clef: practise reading smart notes.
- Exercise 7d: Tenor clef: practise reading all notes in tenor clef.
- Exercise 7e: Alto clef and Tenor clef: practise reading all notes in alto clef and tenor clef.
Table of Contents Note Reading
Chapter 9: F-clef
- Reading notes in F clef.
- Learning to read smart notes.
- Learning to read all notes.
Exercises
- Exercise 8a: F-clef: smart notes.
- Exercise 8b: F-clef: smart notes with time limit.
- Exercise 8c: F-clef: reading all notes.
- Exercise 8d: F-clef: reading all notes with time limit.
- Exercise 8e: F-clef: reading all notes with invisible clef.
- Exercise 8f: F-clef: accidentals: sharps and flats.
- Exercise 8g: F-clef: accidentals: double sharp and double flat.
Table of Contents Note Reading
Chapter 10: G-clef
- Reading notes in G-clef.
- Learning to read smart notes.
- Learning to read all notes.
Exercises
- Exercise 9a: G-clef: smart notes.
- Exercise 9b: G-clef: smart notes with time limit.
- Exercise 9c: G-clef: reading all notes.
- Exercise 9d: G-clef: reading all notes with time limit.
- Exercise 9e: G-clef: reading all notes with invisible clef.
- Exercise 9f: G-clef: accidentals: sharps and flats.
- Exercise 9g: G-clef: accidentals: double sharp and double flat.
Music Theory
Documentation Music Theory
The theory of music is a wide-ranging and complex business! There are many different components, all with something in common. So, for example, it’s impossible to learn about chords without possessing a knowledge of intervals or scales. All the levels in Music Theory are connected and build on each other. With each new level, it is important that the lesson plan in the levels are thoroughly studied and practised..
The Music Theory page
You can navigate to the Music Theory page by clicking Music Theory in the menu.
Music Theory is divided into 8 levels
The lowest level is level 1. The highest level is level 8.
Each level is shown separately on the Music Theory page.
Learning path, Elementary Music Theory, Harmony and Ear Training
Learning path
Learning path offers the possibility to learn all parts of Music Theory through an optimal step-by-step order. Each level has its own learning path.
You can stick to the recommended learning path, but you can also follow your own path.
Theory
Music Theory is divided into:
- Elementary Music Theory
- Harmony
- Ear Training
Here you can navigate to Elementary Music Theory, Harmony and Ear Training for each level.
Download theory: for each level you can download a pdf with a summary of the theory.
Elementary Music Theory
Documentation Elementary Music Theory
Elementary Music Theory encompasses the theoretical knowledge of musical notation, measure and rhythm, triads, scales, associated vocabulary – and a lot more.
Elementary Music Theory can be reached via the Music Theory page.
Elementary Music Theory: lesson plan
The lesson plan is divided into several chapters. Click on a chapter to open it.
Per chapter: theory, more explanation and tracking progress
- Theory: in every chapter the theory is surrounded by a green block.
- Tooltip: if the text is underlined in blue, an image or a musical sample appears.
- Tracking progress: by clicking on you can keep track of your progress.
- More theory: you can learn more by navigating to Harmony or Ear Training.
- More explanation: for more image explanation.
Tooltip extra: images can be made larger, click on the quarter note below.
Elementary Music Theory: practise
With this Elementary Music Theory exercise button, which can be found under the theory, you go to the corresponding exercise.
The Music Theory block and Elementary Theory block
In the Music Theory block you see:
- Learning path: links to the recommended learning path for this level.
- Theory: links to Elementary Music Theory, Harmony en Ear Training for this level.
You can also download a pdf with a summary of the theory. - Exercises: links to My exercises, where you will find an overview of all your exercises.
In the Elementary Theory block you see:
- Exercises: links to the available exercises.
- Forum: ask a question on the Forum.
- Progress: shows an overview of your progress of all chapters.
By clicking on you can keep track of your progress.
Table of Contents Elementary Music Theory
Table of Contents Elementary Music Theory
Musical notation
Musical notation is any system used to visually represent aurally perceived music played with instruments or sung by the human voice through the use of written, printed, or otherwise-produced symbols. The founder of what is now considered the standard music stave was Guido d'Arezzo, an Italian Benedictine monk who lived from about 991 until after 1033.
Measure and time signature
A measure is a segment of time corresponding to a specific number of beats in which each beat is represented by a particular note value and the boundaries of the bar are indicated by vertical bar lines. The time signature is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats (pulses) are to be contained in each bar and which note value is to be given one beat.
Table of Contents Elementary Music Theory
Notes, rests and accidentals
A note is a sign used in musical notation to represent the relative duration and pitch of a sound.
Dynamic signs and markings
Dynamics are instructions in musical notation to the performer about hearing the loudness of a note or phrase. More generally, dynamics may also include other aspects of the execution of a given piece.
Abbreviations and signs
The abbreviations in music are of two kinds, namely, abbreviations of terms relating to musical expression, and the true musical abbreviations by the help of which certain passages, chords, etc., may be notated in a shortened form, to the greater convenience of both composer and performer.
Table of Contents Elementary Music Theory
Articulation
Articulation refers to the direction or performance technique which affects the transition or continuity on a single note or between multiple notes or sounds. Articulation specify how notes should be performed, either in terms of duration or stress.
Tempo
The speed (tempo) at which a piece or passage of music is meant to be played, usually indicated by a musical direction (tempo marking) or metronome marking.
Table of Contents Elementary Music Theory
Musical forms
The term musical form (or musical architecture) refers to the overall structure or plan of a piece of music, and it describes the layout of a composition as divided into sections.
Ornaments
Ornaments or embellishments are musical flourishes that are not necessary to carry the overall line of the melody (or harmony), but serve instead to decorate or "ornament" that line.
Harmony
Harmony is the subject within the music theory that deals specifically with intervals, chords and scales.
Harmony
Documentation Harmony
Harmony is the area within music theory that specifically covers intervals, chords and scales.
Harmony can be reached via the Music Theory page.
Harmony: lesson plan
The lesson plan is divided into several chapters. Click on a chapter to open it.
Theory, Summary, Practise and Ear Training
A chapter is subdivided into the tabs: Theory, Summary, Practise and Ear Training.
If no exercise or Ear training is available for a chapter, the corresponding tab is omitted.
The Theory-tab: theory, video, more explanation and tracking progress
You can find the theory of this chapter in the Theory-tab.
- Tracking progress: by clicking on you can keep track of your progress.
- Explanation with video: for more video explanation.
- More explanation with images: for more image explanation.
- More explanation with piano: for more piano keyboard explanation.
The Summary-tab
Here is a summary of the lesson plan that is covered in the Theory-tab.
- Summary theory: a summary of the theory.
- Summary video: a summary of the theory that has been covered in the video, is surrounded by a green block.
- Summary images: the green block also contains a summary of the theory explained with images.
- Tooltip: if the text is underlined in blue, an image or a musical sample appears.
The Practise-tab
The Harmony exercise button links to the corresponding exercise.
The Ear training-tab
Theoretical music knowledge should be directed towards its practical application, towards the ability to hear that knowledge put into practice. Ear training can enhance the lesson plan, hence the inclusion of ear training exercises here. The Ear training-tab links up with the ear training lesson plan and exercises.
- Audio example: the theory is made alive with an audio example.
- Tooltip: if the text is underlined in blue, an image or a musical sample appears.
- Ear Training button: links to the lesson plan and exercises in Ear training.
The Music Theory block and Harmony block
In the Music Theory block you see:
- Learning path: links to the recommended learning path for this level.
- Theory: links to Elementary Music Theory, Harmony en Ear Training for this level.
You can also download a pdf with a summary of the theory. - Exercises: links to My exercises, where you will find an overview of all your exercises.
In the Harmony block you see:
- Exercises: links to the available Harmony exercises.
- Forum: ask a question on the Forum.
- Progress: shows an overview of your progress of all chapters.
By clicking on you can keep track of your progress.
Table of Contents Harmony
Table of Contents Harmony level 1
Chapter 1.1 Natural notes
- Exercise 1: Natural notes: practise the names of the white keys
Chapter 1.2 Half and whole steps
- Exercise 1a: half and whole steps
Chapter 1.3 Sharps and flats
- Exercise 4a: Accidentals: sharps and flats
Chapter 1.4 Intervals
- Exercise 1b: names of the intervals
Table of Contents Harmony level 1
Chapter 1.5 Harmonic and melodic intervals
Chapter 1.6 Second, third, fourth and fifth
- Exercise 1c: second, third, fourth and fifth
- Exercise 1d: making second, third, fourth and fifth on the natural notes
Chapter 1.7 Major and minor second
- Exercise 1e: major and minor second
- Exercise 1f: making major and minor second on the natural notes
Chapter 1.8 The major scale
Chapter 1.9 The C major scale
Chapter 1.10 The G major scale
Table of Contents Harmony level 2
Chapter 2.1 Sixth, seventh and octave
- Exercise 2a: sixth, seventh and octave
- Exercise 2b: making sixth, seventh and octave on the natural notes
Chapter 2.2 Making major and minor second on all notes
- Exercise 2c: making major and minor second on all notes
Chapter 2.3 Chords
Chapter 2.4 Triads
- Exercise 2d: Triads: root, third and fifth
Chapter 2.5 Root position and inversion
- Exercise 2e: Triads: root, root position and inversion
- Exercise 2f: Triads: determining the root
- Exercise 2g: Triads: determining position
Table of Contents Harmony level 2
Chapter 2.6 Degrees: triads and scales
Chapter 2.7 Scales: tonic, dominant tone and leading tone
Chapter 2.8 Degrees I, IV and V: tonic, subdominant and dominant
Chapter 2.9 The dominant seventh chord
Chapter 2.10 The primary degrees in the C major scale
- Exercise 2h: the primary degrees in C major
Chapter 2.11 The primary degrees in the G major scale
- Exercise 2i: the primary degrees in G major
Chapter 2.12 The D major scale
Chapter 2.13 The primary degrees in the D major scale
- Exercise 2j: the primary degrees in D major
Table of Contents Harmony level 3
Chapter 3.1 Major and minor third
- Exercise 3a: major and minor third
- Exercise 3b: making major and minor thirds on the natural notes
- Exercise 3c: making major and minor thirds on all notes
Chapter 3.2 Perfect fifth
- Exercise 3d: making perfect fifths on the natural notes
- Exercise 3e: making perfect fifths on all notes
Chapter 3.3 Major and minor triads
- Exercise 3f: major and minor triads
- Exercise 3g: making major and minor triads on the natural notes
- Exercise 3h: making major and minor triads on all notes
Table of Contents Harmony level 3
Chapter 3.4 The C, G, and D major scale
Chapter 3.5 The F major scale
Chapter 3.6 The primary degrees in the F major scale
- Exercise 3i: the primary degrees in F major
Chapter 3.7 The chromatic scale
Chapter 3.8 The minor scale
Chapter 3.9 The leading tone in the minor scale
Chapter 3.10 The harmonic and melodic minor scale
Table of Contents Harmony level 3
Chapter 3.11 The A minor scale
Chapter 3.12 The harmonic A minor scale
Chapter 3.13 The melodic A minor scale
Chapter 3.14 The primary degrees in the A minor scale
- Exercise 3j: the primary degrees in A minor
Chapter 3.15 The D minor scale
Chapter 3.16 The harmonic D minor scale
Chapter 3.17 The melodic D minor scale
Chapter 3.18 The primary degrees in the D minor scale
- Exercise 3k: the primary degrees in D minor
Chapter 3.19 Chord symbols
Table of Contents Harmony level 4
Chapter 4.1 Perfect fourth and octave
- Exercise 4a: perfect fourth, fifth and octave
- Exercise 4b: making perfect fourths on the natural notes
- Exercise 4c: making perfect fourths on all notes
Chapter 4.2 Major and minor sixth
- Exercise 4d: major and minor sixth
- Exercise 4e: making major and minor sixths on the natural notes
- Exercise 4f: making major and minor sixths on all notes
Chapter 4.3 Major and minor seventh
- Exercise 4g: major and minor seventh
- Exercise 4h: making major and minor sevenths on the natural notes
- Exercise 4i: making major and minor sevenths on all notes
Table of Contents Harmony level 4
Chapter 4.4 Triads: the first and second inversion
- Exercise 4j: Triads: root position, first and second inversion
- Exercise 4k: Triads: lowest tone of an inversion
- Exercise 4l: Triads: making inversions with given root (natural notes)
- Exercise 4m: Triads: making inversions with given root (all notes)
- Exercise 4n: Triads: making inversions on the natural notes
- Exercise 4o: Triads: making inversions on all notes
Chapter 4.5 The B flat major scale
Chapter 4.6 The primary degrees in the B flat major scale
- Exercise 4p: Chords: the primary degrees in B flat major
Table of Contents Harmony level 4
Chapter 4.7 The E minor scale
Chapter 4.8 The harmonic E minor scale
Chapter 4.9 The melodic E minor scale
Chapter 4.10 The primary degrees in the E minor scale
- Exercise 4q: Chords: the primary degrees in E minor
Chapter 4.11 The G minor scale
Chapter 4.12 The harmonic G minor scale
Chapter 4.13 The melodic G minor scale
Chapter 4.14 The primary degrees in the G minor scale
- Exercise 4r: Chords: the primary degrees in G minor
Chapter 4.15 Chord symbols
Table of Contents Harmony level 5
Chapter 5.1 Inversion of intervals
- Exercise 5a: inversion of intervals
Chapter 5.2 Seventh chords
- Exercise 5b: Seventh chords: root, third, fifth and seventh
- Exercise 5c: Seventh chords: determining the root
Chapter 5.3 Seventh chords: root position and inversions
- Exercise 5d: Seventh chords: root position and inversions
- Exercise 5e: Seventh chords: determining position
- Exercise 5f: Seventh chords: lowest tone of an inversion
- Exercise 5g: Seventh chords: making inversions with given root
- Exercise 5h: Seventh chords: making inversions on the natural notes
Table of Contents Harmony level 5
Chapter 5.4 The A major scale
Chapter 5.5 The primary degrees in the A major scale
- Exercise 5i: the primary degrees in A major
Chapter 5.6 The Eb major scale
Chapter 5.7 The primary degrees in the Eb major scale
- Exercise 5j: the primary degrees in Eb major
Chapter 5.8 The B minor scale
Chapter 5.9 The harmonic B minor scale
Chapter 5.10 The melodic B minor scale
Table of Contents Harmony level 5
Chapter 5.11 The primary degrees in the B minor scale
- Exercise 5k: the primary degrees in B minor
Chapter 5.12 The C minor scale
Chapter 5.13 The harmonic C minor scale
Chapter 5.14 The melodic C minor scale
Chapter 5.15 The primary degrees in the C minor scale
- Exercise 5l: the primary degrees in C minor
Chapter 5.16 Chords: secondry degrees: the second degree (II)
- Exercise 5m: the second degree
Table of Contents Harmony level 6
Chapter 6.1 Double sharps and double flats
- Note reading exercise 4c: Accidentals: double sharp and double flat
Chapter 6.2 Augmented fourth, diminished and augmented fifth
- Exercise 6a: perfect, diminished and augmented fourth and fifth
- Exercise 6b: making augmented fourth, diminished and augmented fifth on natural notes
- Exercise 6c: making augmented fourth, diminished and augmented fifth on all notes
Chapter 6.3 The five types of intervals
- Exercise 6d: making intervals on all notes
- Exercise 6e: making intervals under all notes
Chapter 6.4 Overview of the intervals
Table of Contents Harmony level 6
Chapter 6.5 Diminished and augmented triad
- Exercise 6f: diminished and augmented triads
- Exercise 6g: making diminished and augmented triads on the natural notes
- Exercise 6h: making diminished and augmented triads on all notes
- Exercise 6i: making inversions of diminished and augmented triads with given root (natural notes)
- Exercise 6j: making inversions of diminished and augmented triads with given root (all notes)
- Exercise 6k: making inversions of diminished and augmented triads on the natural notes
- Exercise 6l: making inversions of diminished and augmented triads on all notes
Chapter 6.6 The E major scale
Chapter 6.7 The primary degrees in the E major scale
- Exercise 6m: the primary degrees in E major
Table of Contents Harmony level 6
Chapter 6.8 The Ab major scale
Chapter 6.9 The primary degrees in the Ab major scale
- Exercise 6n: the primary degrees in Ab major
Chapter 6.10 The F# minor scale
Chapter 6.11 The harmonic F# minor scale
Chapter 6.12 The melodic F# minor scale
Chapter 6.13 The primary degrees in the F# minor scale
- Exercise 6o: the primary degrees in F# minor
Chapter 6.14 The C# minor scale
Chapter 6.15 The harmonic C# minor scale
Chapter 6.16 The melodic C# minor scale
Chapter 6.17 The primary degrees in the C# minor scale
- Exercise 6p: the primary degrees in C# minor
Chapter 6.18 Chords: secondry degrees: the sixth degree (VI)
- Exercise 6q: the sixth degree
Chapter 6.19 Chord symbols
Table of Contents Harmony level 7
Chapter 7.1 Embellishing tones: nonharmonic tones
- Exercise 7a: embellishing tones
Chapter 7.2 Triads and scale degrees
- Exercise 7b: triads and scale degrees
Chapter 7.3 Chords: the third (III) and seventh (VII) degree
- Exercise 7c: the third and seventh degree
Chapter 7.4 The seven types of seventh chords
- Exercise 7d: structure of the seven types of seventh chords
- Exercise 7e: the seven types of seventh chords
- Exercise 7f: making seventh chords with major and minor triad on the natural notes
- Exercise 7g: making seventh chords with diminished and augmented triad on the natural notes
- Exercise 7h: making seventh chords with major and minor triad on all notes
- Exercise 7i: making seventh chords with diminished and augmented triad on all notes
Table of Contents Harmony level 7
Chapter 7.4 The seven types of seventh chords (continuation)
- Exercise 7j: making inversions of seventh chords with major or minor triad with given root (natural notes)
- Exercise 7k: making inversions of seventh chords with diminished or augmented triad with given root (natural notes)
- Exercise 7l: making inversions of seventh chords with major or minor triad with given root (all notes)
- Exercise 7m: making inversions of seventh chords with diminished or augmented triad with given root (all notes)
- Exercise 7n: making inversions of seventh chords with major or minor triad op the natural notes
- Exercise 7o: making inversions of seventh chords with diminished or augmented triad op all notes
- Exercise 7p: making inversions of seventh chords with major or minor triad op the natural notes
- Exercise 7q: making inversions of seventh chords with diminished or augmented triad op all notes
Table of Contents Harmony level 7
Chapter 7.5 The B major scale
Chapter 7.6 The primary degrees in the B major scale
- Exercise 7r: the primary degrees in B major
Chapter 7.7 The Db major scale
Chapter 7.8 The primary degrees in the Db major scale
- Exercise 7s: the primary degrees in Db major
Chapter 7.9 The F minor scale
Chapter 7.10 The harmonic F minor scale
Chapter 7.11 The melodic F minor scale
Chapter 7.12 The primary degrees in the F minor scale
- Exercise 7t: the primary degrees in F minor
Chapter 7.13 The G# minor scale
Chapter 7.14 The harmonic G# minor scale
Chapter 7.15 The melodic G# minor scale
Chapter 7.16 The primary degrees in the G# minor scale
- Exercise 7u: the primary degrees in G# minor
Chapter 7.17 Chord symbols
Table of Contents Harmony level 8
Chapter 8.1 The cadential six-four chord
- Exercise 8a: cadential six-four chord
Chapter 8.2 Chords with altered tones
- Exercise 8b: borrowing from the major/minor and Neapolitan sixth chord
Chapter 8.3 The secondary dominant chord
- Exercise 8c: secondary dominant chords
Chapter 8.4 Augmented sixth chords - triads
- Exercise 8d: double-diminished flat-fifth and major flat-fifth triad
- Exercise 8e: making double-diminished flat-fifth and major flat-fifth triad on the natural notes
- Exercise 8f: making double-diminished flat-fifth and major flat-fifth triad on all notes
Table of Contents Harmony level 8
Chapter 8.4 Augmented sixth chords - triads (continuation)
- Exercise 8g: making Italian sixth chords and augmented six-four chords with given root (natural notes)
- Exercise 8h: making Italian sixth chords and augmented six-four chords with given root (all notes)
- Exercise 8i: making Italian sixth chords and augmented six-four chords on the natural notes
- Exercise 8j: making Italian sixth chords and augmented six-four chords on all notes
Chapter 8.5 Seventh chords and scale degrees
- Exercise 8k: seventh chords and scale degrees
Chapter 8.6 Augmented sixth chords - seventh chords
- Exercise 8l: double-diminished seventh chords and dominant seventh chords with flat fifth
- Exercise 8m: making double-diminished seventh chords and dominant seventh chords with flat fifth on the natural notes
Table of Contents Harmony level 8
Chapter 8.6 Augmented sixth chords - seventh chords (continuation)
- Exercise 8n: making double-diminished seventh chord and dominant seventh chord with flat fifth on all notes
- Exercise 8o: making German sixth chord and French sixth chord with given root (natural notes)
- Exercise 8p: making German sixth chord and French sixth chord with given root (all notes)
- Exercise 8q: making German sixth chord and French sixth chord on the natural notes
- Exercise 8r: making German sixth chord and French sixth chord on all notes
Chapter 8.7 Chord connections
Chapter 8.8 The F sharp major scale
Chapter 8.9 The primary degrees in the F sharp major scale
- Exercise 8s: the primary degrees in F sharp major
Table of Contents Harmony level 8
Chapter 8.10 The G flat major scale
Chapter 8.11 The primary degrees in the G flat major scale
- Exercise 8t: the primary degrees in G flat major
Chapter 8.12 The B flat minor scale
Chapter 8.13 The harmonic B flat minor scale
Chapter 8.14 The melodic B flat minor scale
Chapter 8.15 The primary degrees in the B flat minor scale
- Exercise 8u: the primary degrees in B flat minor
Chapter 8.16 The circle of fifths
- Exercise 8v: circle of fifths
Chapter 8.17 Applying the circle of fifths
- Exercise 8w: determining the key
Chapter 8.18 Alternative scales
- Exercise 8x: alternative scales
Chapter 8.19 Chord symbols
Ear Training
Documentation Ear Training
Ear Training focuses on the aural identification and transcription of music. This skill can be further used as a tool in the performance of – as well as editing and improvising on – already existing music. Indirectly, it can help in harmonising melodies or in the composition of new music.
Ear training is never an end in itself, but serves in the overall development of a musician. It gives essential and fundamental support in this area. Flawlessly identifying ten notes played together, correctly copying a dictation exam, or singing exercises perfectly in tune should never be the aim of ear training. Although useful in practice, these abilities only serve as resources. The actual aim of ear training is to train your inner hearing abilties, and, by practical means, to acquire and expand musical understanding. Ear training promotes ‘musical intelligence’.
Ear Training can be reached via the Music Theory page.
Ear Training: lesson plan
The lesson plan is divided into several chapters. Click on a chapter to open it.
The lesson plan covers five subjects:
- Melodic exercises: the melodic exercises are subdivided into: recognizing melody, melodic deviation, scale degrees, melodic dictation and two-part melodic dictation.
- Rhythmic exercises: the rhythmic exercises are subdivided into: recognizing rhythm and rhythmic dictation.
- Scales: the scale exercises are subdivided into: major scales, major and minor scales and church modes.
- Intervals: distinguishing the difference between all intervals by ear, melodic and harmonic.
- Chords: distinguishing the difference between type and position of all triads by ear, melodic and harmonic. Distinguishing the difference between all seventh chords in root position by ear. The chords exercises (chords and scale degrees) are subdivided into: recognizing degrees, notating degrees and degrees and melody.
Practise, Example question and Theory
One chapter is subdivided into the tabs: Practise, Example question and Theory.
If no theory is available for a chapter, the corresponding tab is omitted.
The Practise-tab: theory, video, more explanation and tracking progress
You will find the exercises in the Practice-tab.
- Tracking progress: by clicking on you can keep track of your progress.
- Ear Training exercise button: links to the corresponding exercise.
- Tooltip: if the text is underlined in blue, an image or a musical sample appears.
- Audio example: the theory is made alive with an audio example.
The Example question-tab
Example questions are supplied with the exercises in order to illustrate how they should be executed.
- Question: the question is asked in this section.
- Solution: practical steps and the solution of the question.
The Theory-tab
The exercises contained in Scales, Intervals and Chords in ear training connect to the theory in Harmony. The Theory-tab links up with the Harmony lesson plan and exercises.
- Theory: a summary of the theory.
- More theory: you can learn more by going to the corresponding Harmony chapter.
The Music Theory block and Ear Training block
In the Music Theory block you see:
- Learning path: links to the recommended learning path for this level.
- Theory: links to Elementary Music Theory, Harmony en Ear Training for this level.
You can also download a pdf with a summary of the theory. - Exercises: links to My exercises, where you will find an overview of all your exercises.
In the Ear Training block you see:
- Exercises: links to the available Ear Training exercises.
- Forum: ask a question on the Forum.
- Progress: shows an overview of your progress of all chapters.
By clicking on you can keep track of your progress.
Table of Contents Ear Training
Table of Contents Ear Training level 1
Chapter 1.1 Recognizing melody
- Exercise 1a: recognizing melody entry-level
- Exercise 1b: recognizing melody
Chapter 1.2 Melodic deviation
- Exercise 1c: melodic deviation entry-level
- Exercise 1d: melodic deviation
Chapter 1.3 Melodic dictation
- 35 melodic dictations
Chapter 1.4 Recognizing rhythm
- Exercise 1e: recognizing rhythm
Table of Contents Ear Training level 1
Chapter 1.5 Rhythmic dictation
- 44 rhythmic dictations
Chapter 1.6 Second, third, fourth and fifth
- Exercise 1f: second, third, fourth and fifth
Chapter 1.7 Major and minor second
- Exercise 1g: major and minor second
Chapter 1.8 The major scale
- Exercise 1h: recognizing the major scale
- Exercise 1i: scales
Table of Contents Ear Training level 2
Chapter 2.1 Recognizing melody
- Exercise 2a: recognizing melody
Chapter 2.2 Melodic deviation
- Exercise 2b: melodic deviation
Chapter 2.3 Scale degrees
- Exercise 2c: scale degrees entry-level
- Exercise 2d: scale degrees
Chapter 2.4 Melodic dictation
- 24 melodic dictations
Chapter 2.5 Recognizing rhythm
- Exercise 2e: recognizing rhythm
Table of Contents Ear Training level 2
Chapter 2.6 Rhythmic dictation
- 42 rhythmic dictations
Chapter 2.7 Sixth, seventh and octave
- Exercise 2f: sixth, seventh and octave
Chapter 2.8 The major scale
- Exercise 2g: scales
Chapter 2.9 Recognizing degrees
- Exercise 2h: chords: recognizing degrees
Chapter 2.10 Notating degrees
- Exercise 2i: chords: notating degrees
Chapter 2.11 Degrees and melody
- Exercise 2j: chords: degrees and melody
Table of Contents Ear Training level 3
Chapter 3.1 Recognizing melody
- Exercise 3a: recognizing melody
Chapter 3.2 Melodic deviation
- Exercise 3b: melodic deviation
Chapter 3.3 Scale degrees
- Exercise 3c: scale degrees
Chapter 3.4 Melodic dictation
- 20 melodic dictations
Chapter 3.5 Recognizing rhythm
- Exercise 3d: recognizing rhythm
Table of Contents Ear Training level 3
Chapter 3.6 Rhythmic dictation
- 20 rhythmic dictations
Chapter 3.7 Major and minor scales
- Exercise 3e: scales
- Exercise 3e: major and natural minor scale
- Exercise 3f: natural and harmonic minor scale
- Exercise 3g: natural and melodic minor scale
- Exercise 3h: harmonic and melodic minor scale
- Exercise 3i: all minor scales
- Exercise 3j: major and minor scales
- Exercise 3k: scales
Table of Contents Ear Training level 3
Chapter 3.8 Major and minor thirds
- Exercise 3l: major and minor thirds
- Exercise 3m: major and minor thirds and seconds
Chapter 3.9 Major and minor triads
- Exercise 3n: major and minor triads
Chapter 3.10 Recognizing degrees
- Exercise 3o: chords: recognizing degrees
Chapter 3.11 Notating degrees
- Exercise 3p: chords: notating degrees
Chapter 3.12 Degrees and melody
- Exercise 3q: chords: degrees and melody
Table of Contents Ear Training level 4
Chapter 4.1 Recognizing melody
- Exercise 4a: recognizing melody
Chapter 4.2 Melodic deviation
- Exercise 4b: melodic deviation
Chapter 4.3 Scale degrees
- Exercise 4c: scale degrees
Chapter 4.4 Melodic dictation
- 20 melodic dictations
Chapter 4.5 Recognizing rhythm
- Exercise 4d: recognizing rhythm
Table of Contents Ear Training level 4
Chapter 4.6 Rhythmic dictation
- 36 rhythmic dictations
Chapter 4.7 Major and minor scales
- Exercise 4e: scales
Chapter 4.8 Perfect fourth, fifth and octave
- Exercise 4f: perfect fourth, fifth and octave
Chapter 4.9 Major and minor sixths
- Exercise 4g: major and minor sixths
Chapter 4.10 Major and minor sevenths
- Exercise 4h: major and minor sevenths
- Exercise 4i: major and minor sixths and sevenths
Chapter 4.11 Root position and inversions of triads
- Exercise 4j: major triad: root position or first inversion
Table of Contents Ear Training level 4
Chapter 4.11 Root position and inversions of triads (continuation)
- Exercise 4k: major triad: root position or second inversion
- Exercise 4l: major triad: first or second inversion
- Exercise 4m: minor triad: root position or first inversion
- Exercise 4n: minor triad: root position or second inversion
- Exercise 4o: minor triad: first or second inversion
Chapter 4.12 Recognizing degrees
- Exercise 4p: chords: recognizing degrees
Chapter 4.13 Notating degrees
- Exercise 4q: chords: notating degrees
Chapter 4.14 Degrees and melody
- Exercise 4r: chords: degrees and melody
Table of Contents Ear Training level 5
Chapter 5.1 Recognizing melody
- Exercise 5a: recognizing melody
Chapter 5.2 Melodic deviation
- Exercise 5b: melodic deviation
Chapter 5.3 Scale degrees
- Exercise 5c: scale degrees
Chapter 5.4 Melodic dictation
- 44 melodic dictations
Table of Contents Ear Training level 5
Chapter 5.5 Recognizing rhythm
- Exercise 5d: recognizing rhythm
Chapter 5.6 Rhythmic dictation
- 20 rhythmic dictations
Chapter 5.7 Major and minor scales
- Exercise 5e: scales
Chapter 5.8 Major and minor second and third, perfect fourth and fifth
- Exercise 5f: second, third, fourth and fifth
- Exercise 5g: second, third, fourth and fifth harmonically
Table of Contents Ear Training level 5
Chapter 5.9 Root position and inversions of triads
- Exercise 5h: major and minor triad: root position or first inversion
- Exercise 5i: major and minor triad: root position or second inversion
- Exercise 5j: major and minor triad: first or second inversion
- Exercise 5k: major triad: all positions
- Exercise 5l: minor triad: all positions
- Exercise 5m: major and minor triad: all positions
Chapter 5.10 Recognizing degrees
- Exercise 5n: chords: recognizing degrees
Chapter 5.11 Notating degrees
- Exercise 5o: chords: notating degrees
Chapter 5.12 Degrees and melody
- Exercise 5p: chords: degrees and melody
Table of Contents Ear Training level 6
Chapter 6.1 Recognizing melody
- Exercise 6a: recognizing melody
Chapter 6.2 Melodic deviation
- Exercise 6b: melodic deviation
Chapter 6.3 Scale degrees
- Exercise 6c: scale degrees
Chapter 6.4 Melodic dictation
- 40 melodic dictations
Chapter 6.5 Recognizing rhythm
- Exercise 6d: recognizing rhythm
Chapter 6.6 Rhythmic dictation
- 22 rhythmic dictations
Table of Contents Ear Training level 6
Chapter 6.7 Major and minor scales
- Exercise 6e: scales
Chapter 6.8 Perfect and augmented fourths and perfect fifths
- Exercise 6f: perfect and augmented fourth and perfect fifth
Chapter 6.9 All intervals up to the octave
- Exercise 6g: all intervals up to the octave
- Exercise 6h: all intervals up to the octave harmonically
Chapter 6.10 Root position and inversions of major and minor triads
- Exercise 6i: major and minor triad: type and position
- Exercise 6j: major and minor triad: type and position harmonically
Table of Contents Ear Training level 6
Chapter 6.11 Diminished and augmented triads
- Exercise 6k: diminished and augmented triads
- Exercise 6l: diminished and augmented triads harmonically
Chapter 6.12 Recognizing degrees
- Exercise 6m: chords: recognizing degrees
Chapter 6.13 Notating degrees
- Exercise 6n: chords: notating degrees
Chapter 6.14 Degrees and melody
- Exercise 6o: chords: degrees and melody
Table of Contents Ear Training level 7
Chapter 7.1 Melodic deviation
- Exercise 7a: melodic deviation
Chapter 7.2 Scale degrees
- Exercise 7b: scale degrees
Chapter 7.3 Melodic dictation
- 35 melodic dictations
Chapter 7.4 Two-part melodic dictation
- 18 two-part melodic dictations
Chapter 7.5 Rhythmic dictation
- 23 rhythmic dictations
Table of Contents Ear Training level 7
Chapter 7.6 Minor, major, diminished and augmented triads
- Exercise 7d: minor, major, diminished and augmented triads
- Exercise 7e: minor, major, diminished and augmented triads harmonically
- Exercise 7f: diminished triad: root position or first inversion
- Exercise 7g: diminished triad: root position or second inversion
- Exercise 7h: diminished triad: first or second inversion
- Exercise 7i: diminished triad: all positions
- Exercise 7j: diminished triad: all positions harmonically
- Exercise 7k: minor, major, diminished and augmented triad: type and position
- Exercise 7l: minor, major, diminished and augmented triad: type and position harmonically
Table of Contents Ear Training level 7
Chapter 7.7 Seventh chords
- Exercise 7m: seventh chords: major seventh and dominant seventh
- Exercise 7n: seventh chords: minor-major seventh and minor seventh
- Exercise 7o: seventh chords: major, dominant, minor-major and minor seventh
- Exercise 7p: seventh chords: half-diminished, diminished and augmented seventh
Table of Contents Ear Training level 8
Chapter 8.1 Melodic deviation
- Exercise 8a: melodic deviation
Chapter 8.2 Scale degrees
- Exercise 8b: scale degrees
Chapter 8.3 Melodic dictation
- 16 melodic dictations
Chapter 8.4 Two-part melodic dictation
- 16 two-part melodic dictations
Chapter 8.5 Rhythmic dictation
- 16 rhythmic dictations
Table of Contents Ear Training level 8
Chapter 8.6 Scales
- Exercise 8c: scales
Chapter 8.7 Church modes
- Exercise 8d: Church modes: ionian, lydian and mixolydian
- Exercise 8e: Church modes: aeolian, dorian and phrygian
- Exercise 8f: all church modes
Chapter 8.8 Final triad
- Exercise 8g: final triad
Chapter 8.9 Seventh chords
- Exercise 8h: all seventh chords
Learning path
Documentation Learning path
Learning path offers the possibility to learn all parts of Music Theory through an optimal step-by-step order. Each level has its own learning path.
You can stick to the recommended learning path, but you can also follow your own path.
Learning path can be reached via the Music Theory page.
Learning path Music Theory
Learning path Music Theory is divided into:
- Step: the optimal step-by-step order.
- Chapter: the name of the chapter.
- Exercises: the name of the exercise.
- Progress: if a progress has been updated for a chapter, it will also be displayed here.
- Search: search function within the Learning path.
From the Chapter and Exercises columns you can navigate directly to this chapter or exercise.
Learning path: the Step column
The first column Step shows the optimum step-by-step order. The order is numbered and starts at number 1.
Every chapter and every exercise has its own number.
Learning path: the Chapter column
The second column Chapter contains the names of the chapters. From here you can navigate directly to this chapter.
Learning path: the Exercises column
The third column Exercises shows the names of the exercises. From here you can navigate directly to this exercise.
Learning path: the Progress column
The fourth column Progress shows the the progress of a chapter. For more information see Documentation Tracking progress.
The results of completed exercises can be viewed in My Exercises. For more information see Documentation My Exercises.
Learning path: chapter and exercises
Every Step shows either a chapter or an exercise.
If a chapter also contains exercises, these exercises appear in the Learning path immediately after the chapter.
Tracking progress
Documentation Tracking progress
With every chapter it is possible to keep track of your progress.
A progress button is placed next to the title of each chapter. When a chapter is visited for the first time, no progress has yet been tracked.
Progress overview
A seperate block shows an overview of all chapters and progress.
Here too it is possible to update your progress with the progress button.
Update Progress
By clicking on the progress button you can update your progress.
You can choose from Working, Completed, Extra attention or Skip. Don't forget to click on Update.
The updated progress
Progress has now been updated in the chapter and the separate block.
Exercises
Documentation Exercises
It is important not only to understand the theory but to practise it. The theory can only be properly understood and applied by constant practise. Consequently, nearly all theory contain exercises. It is important to practise these exercises – and often.
The exercises can be repeated as often as needed. The questions are randomly arranged, with new questions.
Tip: for Harmony exercises, use an instrument as often as possible when practising an exercise.
Tip: try the Ear training exercise first without using an instrument. If an exercise is proving too difficult after several attempts, it can help to use an instrument. When you can do this successfully, then try it again, this time without an instrument.
The Exercises page
You can navigate to the Exercise page by clicking Exercises in the menu.
The exercises are divided into 8 levels
The lowest level is level 1. The highest level is level 8.
Each level is shown separately on the Exercises page.
Learning path, Elementary Music Theory, Harmony and Ear Training
Learning path
Learning path offers the possibility to do all the exercises through an optimal step-by-step order. Each level has its own learning path.
You can stick to the recommended learning path, but you can also follow your own path.
Exercises
The exercises are divided into:
- Elementary Music Theory
- Harmony
- Ear Training
Here you can navigate to Elementary Music Theory, Harmony and Ear Training exercises for each level.
Exercises Harmony and Ear Training
When you go to the Harmony and Ear Training exercises from the Exercise page, you get a list of the available exercises.
In the Exercises block you can, for each level, navigate to the exercises Elementary Music Theory, Harmony and Ear Training.
In the Music Theory block you see:
- Learning path: links to the recommended learning path for this level.
- Theory: links to Elementary Music Theory, Harmony en Ear Training for this level.
You can also download a pdf with a summary of the theory. - Exercises: links to My exercises, where you will find an overview of all your exercises.
Exercise: introduction
Each exercise starts with an introduction.
- Overview: general information about the exercise, such as Difficulty, Number of questions, Question type and a link to the Theory.
- Sample question: an example of what kind of question you can expect.
- Solution: practical steps and answer of the sample question.
- Start exercise: the exercise starts with this button.
Exercise: a question
Every question has a:
- Progress bar: indicates how much questions you have completed.
- Question: where the question is asked.
- Answer section: give your answer here.
The continuation buttons are:
- Save: continue to the next question.
- Save & Exit: the exercise is saved and can be continued at a later date.
- Terminate: the exercise isn’t saved and is started again from the beginning.
Exercise: the report
On completion of the exercise, a report is made containing:
Continuation buttons:
- Print: print your report.
- Try again: make the exercise again.
- Theory: links to the corresponding theory.
In the report you will find:
- The result: whether you passed or failed and how well you made the exercise.
- Results: the results of the entire exercise with the number of correct answers, the score in percentages and the duration.
- The question asked: an overview of a question.
- The answer: all questions with their submitted and correct answers.
This report will also be sent by e-mail.
My Exercises
Documentation My Exercises
The results of completed exercises can be viewed in My Exercises.
My exercises: the columns in a row
The columns that make up a row are:
- Quiz: the name of an exercise.
- Start date: the start date and time of an exercise.
- End date: the end date and time of an exercise.
- Score: the score of the exercise.
- Status: whether you have passed or not.
- Details: by clicking on View you get the report of this exercise.
All columns can be sorted by clicking on the title of a column.
Alphabetical order
By clicking on the Exercise column, the exercises are sorted by name.
The exercises are sorted by name as standard.
Last made exercise
By clicking on the End date column, the exercises are sorted by date.
You can view your most recently done exercises this way.
