Piano Theory for Beginners

Want to learn piano theory? Here are many free lessons in basic music theory from beginner to more advanced. 

Why Piano Theory?

• Music theory is the knowledge about how music is constructed.
• Piano theory is music theory learned while referring to a piano keyboard.

The piano keyboard is a great tool to use when learning basic music theory. Because of the layout of the piano keys, patterns of notes, scales, chords and intervals are a lot easier to actually see, compared to other instruments.

Learning about the basics of piano theory will not only help you understand written music better, but also to learn and appreciate how music is created.

Piano Theory Lessons for Beginners

Click on the links to go to each of the free piano theory lessons.

How to Read Piano Notes

Learn the basic stuff of piano theory, like note names, the staff, note values etc.

Note Values and Rests

Learn more about different note values and rests, their names and how to count.

The Music Scale

What is it that gives a musical scale its special "sound color"? This introduction to scales will take a look at what scales are made from and some of the types that can be found in different parts of the world.

Music Scales

Find out how to combine the notes to create different scales; major scales, minor scales, blues, modal and more!

Music Intervals

Intervals are the distances between notes. Learning how to identify intervals, helps you to quickly read notes, among other things!

The Circle of Fifths

This is a super tool for understanding key signatures and more, invented by Pythagoras in the 6th Century B.C!!

The Key Signature

All those symbols in the beginning of a staff, what are they? The sharps # or flats b, clustered in the first measure are called the Key Signature. Learn more here.

Printable Staff Paper

Print your favorite. 8 or 10 staff, wide staff or grand staff paper as PDF's.

Piano Keyboard Diagram

Helpful tool for beginner pianists. Print out a keyboard, with or without note names. Use for keyboard orientation, games etc.

Layout of the  Piano Keys

Why are the keys in the order they are, and why are they in the particular layout of black and white keys? Read more here.

Printable Key Notes and Basic Chord Finder

Here is a handy-dandy tool for beginner pianists. Print out this free Pdf, fold and place behind the keys to remember the note names on the keys. On the back is a simple chart to help you find the most basic chords on the piano.

More Basic Music Theory Lessons

It may seem like music theory is really difficult... But understanding how music is built is actually both logic and simple, if you only know where to begin!

Music theory is the study of how music works. It's learning more about the different building blocks that makes up music.

Here you can dig deeper with free piano theory lessons starting from scratch. The focus is on making the knowledge of music as accessible and simple to understand as possible.

Music Theory for Beginners

Composition for Beginners

Try your hand at composition! If you know the basics of writing notes, you can begin to experiment with creating your own musical compositions with these lessons:

• How to Compose Music for Beginners
• Learn How to Write Music – Beginning Composition Lessons
• How to Write a Melody
• How to Make a Song
• How to Write Songs

The Weird Zone....

Up for some adventure?

When digging deeper into music theory you may discover some interesting and mysterious things...! 

Check it out here: 8 Musical Mysteries and Phenomena. Here I have dug up some fascinating facts about musical compositions and sound creation. Get inspired!

Recommended Piano Theory Resources for Adults

• Alfred's Basic Adult Theory Piano Book
• How to Read Music in 30 Days: Music Theory for Beginners - with exercises & online audio (Practical Music Guides)