Advanced Music Theory!


Ready to move on to Advanced Music theory?

Assuming you've been playing the piano for some time and have reached a stage where, if you listen to a new song or come across any piece of music, you can play it on your own... then it's time for you to move ahead.

At this stage, you probably are well versed with notations, scales, chords, time and key signatures - these are the key topics that one needs to know to be able to play most of the songs.


Advanced Music Theory
What Do You Learn Here?


To learn about the advanced music theory concepts would mean understanding more about:

  • The various musical styles
  • Harmonising, Chord progressions & improvisations
  • Music/composers of the different eras
  • Writing the songs that are in your head and putting them on paper
  • Arranging concepts


    • This is where things start becoming clearer as you start learning how all the elements of music gel together.

    For instance, if you have been thinking why do you have so many keys or why modulation is used...here is an example.

    If played on any musical instrument, a song in one particular scale may sound similar to what it may sound on another scale... but when you here the complete arrangement with all the tracks of the song, you will find that the song sounds better in certain scales.

    This is where the various keys help the composers. Though changing a key may bring in additional challenges.

    The performers may find it technically challenging to play in a particular key on their instrument. The singer may not have the vocal range to sing in a particular key.

    So it is up to the composer to decide on which key he should base his composition, considering all these factors in mind.

    The composer may even decide to use a key change, also known as modulation, within the piece to add more variety and prevent monotony within the piece.

    So here you go, you already know so much about composing!


    Advanced Music Theory
    Resources To Learn From


  • Music Theory and History Online - by Dr. Brian Blood.


  • The Norton Anthology of Western Music - Two volume series of classical music scores, contains music history with commentaries.


  • Learn With a Teacher - As mentioned earlier, a teacher's experience will help you go through the advanced theory in a more structured manner and in a quicker way.


  • College music theory class - Many local colleges should have a music program on this.


    • Serious About Music?


    From here, you can go ahead only if you are serious about music...and I am sure you must be if you are reading this.

    The time and effort you spend here will definitely help you, in terms of opportunities, if at all you decide to choose a career associated with music in the future.

    Happy learning!



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