Start here: the basics
LESSON 1The 7 musical notes and chord symbols, explained from scratchWhat the musical notes are, why they repeat, what C, D, E, F, G, A, B mean in chord symbols and how to find each note on the keyboard. With an interactive keyboard to listen.⏱ 6 minLESSON 2Whole step and half step: music's rulerWhat whole steps and half steps are, where the natural half steps are (E-F and B-C), what sharps and flats do and what enharmonic notes are. Explained with keyboard and guitar.⏱ 6 minLESSON 3Major scale: the formula that builds them allLearn the major scale formula (whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half), build the C, G, D and F major scales and understand scale degrees and key signatures.⏱ 8 minLESSON 4Musical intervals: the distance between two notesUnderstand musical intervals: second, major and minor third, fourth, perfect fifth, sixth, major and minor seventh and octave. A table with half steps, examples to listen to and songs to help you memorize.⏱ 9 min
Chords
LESSON 5How a chord is built (the easy way)Learn how a chord is built: root, third and fifth. Formulas for major, minor, diminished and augmented triads, how to build them on any note and how that becomes a chord on guitar and piano.⏱ 9 minLESSON 6Seventh chords: how they're built and when to use themUnderstand seventh chords: 7 (dominant), 7M (major seventh), m7, m7(b5) half-diminished and °7 diminished. Formulas, notes in every key, how they sound and a chord builder to listen to them.⏱ 11 minLESSON 7Octave, ninth and chords with extensionsWhat an octave is, why it doesn't show up in chord symbols, what a power chord (C5) is, and how chords with a ninth (add9, 7(9), 7M(9)), sus2, sus4, sixth, 11th and 13th are built.⏱ 10 minLESSON 8How to read chord symbols (complete guide)Learn to read chord symbols for guitar, piano and ukulele: note letters, minor chord (m), seventh (7), major seventh (7M), diminished (°), sus, ninth (9), slash chords (C/E) and more. Full chart.⏱ 8 min
Harmony and minor keys
LESSON 9Diatonic chords: the chords that “go together” in each keyLearn the diatonic chords of the major key with triads and seventh chords (7M, m7, 7, m7(b5)), tonic, subdominant and dominant functions, a chart in every key and the I–V–VI–IV and II–V–I progressions.⏱ 11 minLESSON 10Minor scale: natural, harmonic and relativeLearn the natural minor scale (W H W W H W W), the link between a major key and its relative minor (C major and A minor), the harmonic minor, the melodic minor and the diatonic chords of the minor key.⏱ 8 min
Rhythm and reading
LESSON 11Rhythm and meter: how music is organized in timeLearn note values (whole, half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes), rests, dotted notes, ties, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8 time and what BPM means.⏱ 9 minLESSON 12How to read sheet music from scratchLearn to read sheet music: the staff, treble clef, bass clef, notes on lines and spaces, ledger lines, middle C, key signatures and tips to read faster.⏱ 10 min
Learn by playing, not just reading
The Dedilhado Vivo app shows where each finger presses and checks through the microphone whether you played the right note. Flute, guitar, violin and piano, free.
Open the free app