"The course has a really creative approach to putting theory into context, and Guy makes it so fun to learn. I don't have writer's block anymore – I've learned different approaches."

Martin Booth
Course student

LEARN MUSIC THEORY

WITH GUY MICHELMORE


$49

Online course. Lifetime access. 



QUICK, PRACTICAL AND FUN. THE WAY MUSIC THEORY SHOULD BE

An entertaining and straightforward 12-hour course in how music works and how it is written down. If you have struggled to get your head around scales and chord progressions, then this course is for you. Whether you are a guitarist, electronic musician, songwriter or just love music, Learn Music Theory will give you techniques to apply to your music straight away.

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LEARN TECHNIQUES FOR WRITING BETTER MUSIC

The course is divided into two parts. Part one begins with the fundamentals, looking at pitch, octaves, scales, and keys. Then you will learn about chords and harmony, before moving on to rhythm and music notation.

The second part takes you into deeper ideas, such as extended chords and progressions. It is these ideas that can show you how music theory can make you a better musician and songwriter.

By the end, you will also understand extended chromatic chords, how a full orchestral score works, and how to create a lead sheet.

  • First fundamentals through to advanced concepts – it is a complete music theory journey.
  • Tutorials to support every level of knowledge and curiosity – choose your own path.
  • Over 12 hours of video tutorials explaining every aspect of music theory in Guy's distinctive and uniquely accessible style.
  • Music theory for guitarists.

What you'll learn

PART 1: MUSIC THEORY FUNDAMENTALS

1. PITCH, OCTAVES AND NAMING NOTES

Starting with the fundamentals, we look at how notes are identified and organised.

2. SCALES & KEYS

An introduction to structured harmony, looking at basic scales and how keys relate to one another.

3. THE BASICS OF CHORDS & HARMONY

How to label the aural relationship between two notes, and learn to build chords using intervals of thirds.

4. RHYTHM

Identify how notes are subdivided rhythmically within a bar of four beats.

5. HOW MUSIC IS WRITTEN DOWN

Music notation - how we notate pitch and rhythm, alongside performance directions such as structure and tempo.

PART 2: MUSIC THEORY IN ACTION

6. APPLYING THEORY TO YOUR MUSIC

Putting all this in practice, we discuss how your music can benefit from learning music theory and how this helps your improvisational skills.

7. MORE ADVANCED HARMONY & CHORDS

Extended and suspended chords, jazz chord charts, key changes, and more. These are more complex harmonic techniques you can use to add additional interest to your music.

8. THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF MODES

Scales that do not fit into the traditional major and minor format. What they are, and how they work. Plus, a guide to playing these on guitar.

9. INTRODUCTION TO THE ORCHESTRA

A look at how orchestral instruments are used, and specific notation information you may need to know before writing for them.

10. EXTRAS

Extra information and terminology that may be of interest, such as classical structures, forms, and musical devices.

YOUR EXPERT INSTRUCTORS

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GUY MICHELMORE

Guy Michelmore is a multi award-winning film, games and television composer whose clients include Marvel, Disney, Dreamworks, Lionsgate and dozens of major TV networks around the world. He is best known for his work with Marvel on eight animated feature films including Ultimate Avengers and Thor, as well as hundreds of episodes of television including Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Iron Man: Armoured Adventures, Hulk and many more.

His unique and accessible style has made him a popular YouTuber with over 300,000 subscribers.

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TOM JANES

Joining Guy is Tom Janes — classical guitarist extraordinaire and music theory guru. Tom is a first class graduate from the Arts University Bournemouth in composition. As a music theory enthusiast, Tom has written numerous blog posts and course texts for ThinkSpace Education.

Tom is a regular gigging musician, playing numerous festivals and venues across the UK, and as a recording artist has performed on TV shows, documentaries, apps, podcasts and more.

WATCH A FREE SAMPLE

MAJOR AND MINOR TRIADS

In this video tutorial from the course, Guy Michelmore breaks down how to build triads from a major scale, the difference between Major and Minor chords, and how to tell each chord type apart.

"I now feel like the idea of music theory as a language is now more tangible for me as an untrained musician."

Josh McCausland
Course student

ONLINE LEARNING THAT's MADE FOR MUSIC

Course videos, notes and quizzes are all available inside the ThinkSpace Course Reader — the same custom-built system used by our Master’s Degree students. It works seamlessly on computers, tablets and phones.

Video Tutorials explain essential concepts and ideas in a straightforward manner. Didn’t quite get it first time? Don’t worry, many of the main ideas are supported by Further Explanation Videos. It’s just like asking your teacher to explain something again.

If you do get it first time, you can move on, or choose one of the Going Deeper tutorials — which look at more complicated and advanced ideas. You can then check your understanding with a short quiz.

Finally, Course Notes give you a detailed, written explanation of the ideas in the video tutorials, supported with illustrations and diagrams.

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Buy Today, start anytime

Guy Michelmore at Piano
Guy Michelmore Teaching Music Theory
Guy Michelmore Composing on Guitar
  • Over 12 hours of engaging video tutorials.
  • Check your progress with short quizzes
  • Comprehensive course notes and illustrations 
  • Lifelong access to the course and all videos
Buy Now — $49

Lifetime access. Start, finish and revisit anytime. 
30-day money-back policy

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you are thinking about taking the course, there are some requirements you may want to consider. Here are the most frequently asked student questions to help you to assess whether the course is right for you.

have a question? contact us

Need some advice? Or just want to talk music? We’re always here to lend a professional ear.

contact@thinkspace.ac.uk

+44 (0)1243 256049