Music Theory in 16 Minutes

Hi everyone – just want to let you know about our course, Learn Music Theory. It's quick, practical and fun, and takes you from square one through to more advanced topics like modes and chromatic harmony.

Over 12 hours of video, quizzes, course text and much more. Check it out here:

For the FREE PDF mentioned in this video, and a free micro series in music theory, check out our email series 'Getting Started with Music Theory':

00:00 Introduction
00:26 Basics principles and piano layout
02:14 Note names
04:25 Major & Minor scale
08:37 Intervals
10:23 Chords
12:25 The circle of fifths

Join composer Guy Michelmore as he explains the essentials of music theory in just 16 minutes! What is an octave? How do you make scales? What are intervals? What's the difference between major and minor? What is the circle of fifths?! All explained in less time that it takes to make and drink a fresh cup of tea.

[guruuDev]

I like when he switches cameras. I was getting bored of being over there -- but now I'm over here -- yay!

[mikespink]

Wouldn’t it be great if all teachers were as passionate, energetic, knowledgable, enthused & personable as Guy !!! Genuinely brilliant stuff ...

[BorkBork]

I’ve been playing music for about 10 years actively, and I’ve never been able to wrap my head around the theory more than a few basics. I even tried attending a school but I felt like I understood even less after that. This! The part about the intervals and the scales, it blew my mind! Thank you! I finally get it! Can’t wait to explore this further!!

[Stingray]

Simply amazing! The music theory what teachers could not patiently explain me 40 years ago and I quit music school at 8 thinking it was dreadful. Boring people that have no passion should not be anywhere near schools. People like Guy Michelmore are a gift to us! Thank you!

[dawnydoodah]

This is how music should be taught, quick and concise without room for confusion. Wish I'd found you sooner. Thank you so much.

[leewilson]

I’m 64. Years old now. Where was this gentleman 50 years ago? You Sir, are the teacher I needed. And I learned lots today to share to my 3 and 5 year old daughters and hope the can learn this lovely language that is music in their early years. Cheers!

[Andle]

Your simple explanation of scales as essentially just patterns of intervals immediately made it click in my head. So much more engaging than just being told "these are major and these are minor because that's how it is" by my music teacher so many years ago.

Thanks for the amazing video Guy.

[lh]

Kids have it easy today. My parents paid for a private piano teacher for me back when I was 10. She was wasn't even half the teacher that this guy is. We all are lucky to have someone like Guy to take time out to enrich us.

[rudolffrajman]

Guy: It's not rocket science

Science teachers: It's not music theory

[davidgronlund]

From one music teacher to another: this is true professionalism. I am truly amazed on just how simply you laid it all down for us. Thank you!!! And greetings from Vasa, Finland.

[ConradW]

Understanding that a major scale is TTSTTTS makes all of this make so much more sense. Minor is TSTTSTT, meaning they're exactly the same but start at different places.

[halfcoconut]

15:15 to 15:25 is the GOAT 10 seconds of this video

Awesome presentation and teaching style

[PsychoticSalamander]

This man is a legend. My scottish higher music exam is tomorrow and throughout the whole year i was never able to understand how scales worked because my teacher never taught us the TTSTTTS method! Same goes for the circle of fifths. That is going to help me greatly tomorrow. Thank you.

[tedcruzkidneyhunter]

Put it at 2x speed, now learn music theory in 8 minutes

[kathyratino]

This is wonderful! Just one thing: The major scale is actually the same pattern twice, as is the minor. Knowing this saves you from having to memorize that long pattern. You can just remember that the half step comes between the third and fourth notes in both four-note halves of the major scale and between the second and third notes in both four-note halves of the minor.

[kjamison]

You do your mum and dad proud. You have a great talent to educate. Many can teach, few can educate.

[Gearhead_]

Ive played guitar for 20 years and never learned theory. This made it click in my mind related to the frets and now i might pick up piano because it makes sense now. Thank you so much very well spoken

[dubster]

I've just learnt more in 16minutes than I was ever told by any music teacher or guitar tutor when I was younger. Great video.

[ashleyedwards]

This is the kinda guy I wish I had as a music teacher.

[avi]

I absolutely love how quickly you jump into the lesson, we need more people like you on YouTube. This is perfectly crafted.