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Tomus

Music theory, explained in the order it makes sense

Eight topics, 14 lessons, connected so you can follow a thread rather than land on a stray page. Start anywhere — each page links to what it depends on.

  1. 01

    Notes and note reading

    Reading pitch off the page — clefs, staff positions and accidentals.

    • Treble clef notes
    • Bass clef notes
    • Sharps, flats and naturals
    Open topic
  2. 02

    Rhythm

    Duration and pulse — note values, rests, bars and time signatures.

    • Note values and rests
    • Time signatures
    Open topic
  3. 03

    Intervals

    The distance between two notes, and the building block for everything else.

    • What is an interval?
    • Major and minor intervals
    Open topic
  4. 04

    Scales

    Ordered sets of notes built from fixed interval patterns.

    • The major scale
    • Minor scales
    Open topic
  5. 05

    Chords

    Notes stacked in thirds — quality, inversions and how chords sit in a key.

    • Major vs minor chords
    • Chord inversions
    Open topic
  6. 06

    Keys and key signatures

    The home note of a piece, and the sharps or flats that come with it.

    • Key signatures
    Open topic
  7. 07

    The circle of fifths

    The map that arranges all twelve keys by how closely related they are.

    • How to use the circle of fifths
    Open topic
  8. 08

    Ear training

    Hearing what you can already read — intervals, chords and pitch.

    • Interval ear training
    Open topic

Suggested paths

If you would rather be told where to start.