The map of music theory The 57 concepts on this site and what each one asks for first. One column per level: the further right, the more has to be understood before it. Click a concept to see what comes before it and what rests on it.
57 concepts · 95 dependencies · 2 starting points · 7 levels
level 0 level 1 level 2 level 3 level 4 level 5 level 6 level 7 1 Notes and semitones 2 Rhythm and meter 3 Staff notation 5 Intervals 4 Enharmonic equivalence 6 Tempo 7 Ties and rests 8 Syncopation 10 Major scale 9 Articulation and dynamics 11 Fretboard geography 13 Score navigation 15 Tritone 16 Brazilian rhythms 14 Triads 12 Interval recognition 17 Key signatures 23 Seventh chords 18 Scale degrees 19 Modes 20 Chord inversions 21 Chord quality recognition 22 Diatonic harmony 26 Chord symbols 25 Minor scales 24 Circle of fifths 27 Sixth chords 28 Transposition 29 Extended chords 31 Harmonic rhythm 30 Harmonic function 32 Pentatonic scales 40 Roman numeral analysis 44 Voice leading 35 Cadences 33 Relative and parallel keys 34 Suspended chords 37 Functional ear training 38 Minor key harmony 39 Non-chord tones 43 Secondary dominants 41 The II-V-I 42 Modal interchange 36 Diminished chords 49 Modulation 45 Blues scale 46 Figured bass 47 Altered dominants 48 Four-part writing 50 Musical form 51 Pedal point 52 Species counterpoint 53 Turnaround 54 Bossa nova harmony 55 Choro harmony 56 Tritone substitution 57 Pivot chord modulation