Top 10 Best Music Theory Apps To Get This 2023
What are the top music theory apps to get this year? Will these music theory apps improve my musicianship? Will it have any effect on my creativity?
Music theory is an important foundation for musicians. Or at least for those serious enough to explore all the possibilities of this art. We’ve collected 10 music theory apps that can help you increase your knowledge and practical skills on any chosen instrument.
Table of Contents
What Is Music Theory?
Music theory is an important part of the foundation for any musician for several reasons.
Music theory also helps you communicate with other musicians using a common language. This puts you at an equal footing with other like-minded individuals so that you can create something harmoniously.
Music is made up of notes, chords, scales, intervals, modes, tones, and a lot more. There are also time signatures that add more dimension to what may seem so simple to the average listener. But you’ll know better thanks to knowing more about music with these music theory apps we’ve collected.
For obvious reasons, you would want to have as much knowledge possible about the art you are passionate about right? Like a painter, your instrument is your brush. The notes, chords, and scales are your colors and palettes. Understanding how these work together helps you create a better “musical” picture that everyone can admire through their ears.
Benefits Of Learning Music Theory
What are the benefits of learning music theory?
Master Songs Easily
If you break a song down to its most basic components, you’ll find that songs are made of notes, chords, scales, and chord progressions. Understanding the relationships between these components will help you master songs easily.
Improvise Like A Pro
When was the last time a rock star wowed you onstage? It was probably the way they dressed or pranced across the stage right? But as far as music goes, all of that falls to the wayside when musical chops are called for. For most people, what’s most impressive is how adept these musicians played their instruments onstage.
So how do they do it?
Pulling notes out of thin air may seem magical at first but if you understand music theory, you’ll find that there are patterns and scales they base their licks on. Combining all of these creates a complex musical journey that musicians take their audience with for everyone’s pleasure.
You can do that too.
By using music theory apps, you’ll begin to understand all of these things and how to use them effectively. With enough discipline and practice, you’ll be improvising like a pro too!
You Can Enjoy Music More
How would you like to enjoy music more?
Music is an art. And like any form of art, you need to understand it better to better appreciate it. Using these music theory apps, you’ll learn that there are more dimensions to a simple four-chord song than what most people hear.
So, learn music theory and enjoy what’s on your playlist better! Perhaps this could even lead to you making an even better playlist in the future!
Learning Music Theory Leads To Better Songwriting
Want to make better songs? This is where learning music theory comes in real handy!
Understanding the basic building blocks of music and learning how to form chords, scales, and chord progressions will help you create great songs. Add a working knowledge of time signatures, the relationships between notes, and everything in between, and you can make a career in music possible!
Here’s Our Top Ten
We’ve collected a list of ten of the best music theory apps out there that you need to get this 2020. These apps provide a treasure trove of lessons that are fit for children and adults. Using these apps on a regular basis will help you improve your musical talents, skills, and knowledge.
Download the one you believe works best for you.
ABRSM Theory Works
Android and iOS
ABRSM (The Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music) Theory Works is the most in-depth app in this list of music theory apps we’ve collected. There are over 6,000 music theory questions here that will challenge your basic knowledge.
These tests are presented in a fun and engaging way to keep students Grades 1 to 5 entertained while being educated. This app provides instant feedback so you can check the accuracy of your answers.
Chord!
Android and iOS
Chord! is a guitar-centric app that helps guitarists of all levels to learn about music theory. It is one of the most complete music theory apps for this select group of instrumentalists and covers everything from notes, chords, and scales. As an added bonus, it includes a piano for a better understanding of the linear scales.
EarMaster – Music Theory & Ear Training
iOS
Master your ears by using EarMaster! This is one of the most complete music theory apps in the market today. Teachers can use this as an effective tool for beginners as well as pros. This app has everything you need to learn about music theory as well as improve your rhythmic skills and sight-reading abilities. At the end of using this app, you should be able to confidently read sheet music without any problem.
Music Theory Illustrated
iOS
Sometimes music can be enjoyed through a visual approach. That’s what Music Theory Illustrated helps you with. This is one of the music theory apps that provide a complete guide to notes, scales, chords, modes, intervals, and chord progressions. Think of it as a map as you navigate through the musical landscape.
Music Theory Pro
iOS
Serious about music? Then get this app. Music Theory Pro trains your ears to identify notes, chords, and scales by listening to what is played and making a connection in your brain. By using this app, you will learn about key signatures, intervals, and other important musical information so that you can play with confidence as a pro.
Music Tutor (Sight-reading)
Android and iOS
Music Tutor improves your ability to read sheet music. It also helps improve your sight-reading skills giving you an advantage over other musicians by adding the visual ability to interact with music aside from relying on your auditory skills. The music theory you will learn along the way will also help sharpen your brain to the point where you automatically know where to go and what notes to play along a chord or a scale.
Rhythm Cat Pro HD – Learn To Read Music
Android and iOS
This is one of the best music theory apps for kids because of the great visuals it provides. It also has simple songs within the app that are easy to follow as your child progresses. To add more challenge, you can change the tempo and try to win points through completing the levels.
Tenuto
iOS
Tenuto has 15 customizable exercises to help you improve your musicianship. It also includes a calculator for intervals, chords, and more. The great thing about this app is that you can use this offline, so you’re not reliant on an internet connection to learn. To test your knowledge, go to challenge mode and answer those for some points.
Theory Lessons
iOS
Theory Lessons has 39 animated lessons covering important topics like notes, notations, chords, scales, degrees, intervals, and everything in between. This is perfect for beginners to advanced musicians who want to learn or touch up on their knowledge of music theory.
Treble Cat HD – Learn To Read Music
Android and iOS
This is a great app for anyone who wants to learn about the notes on a treble clef. Using this on a regular basis will definitely give you the skills needed to identify the notes with a single glance and then transfer that onto your instrument.
Conclusion
Music makes the world go round. Learning about music theory through these music theory apps can help you improve your talent. It doesn’t matter at what skill level you are at this point. There are music theory apps fit for you.
Music theory gives you a better understanding of the art. This ultimately has an effect on your practical skills and ability to perform on your chosen instrument. The knowledge you can get from using these music theory apps can then break down the boundaries of your creative abilities.
Related Questions
Will Learning About Music Theory Hurt My Creativity?
No. Here’s one myth that badly needs to be debunked. Music is an art. As an art, there are certain rules tried and tested through time. These rules are the reasons why misinformed musicians believe it affects their creativity. After all, music is all about freedom right? But, when you look at it from a different perspective, learning music theory gives you a better understanding of the art, breaking down all the boundaries that inhibit your full potential as a musician.
It is through learning music theory and then breaking conventions that you can fully be creative in the end.
Should I Learn The Piano Before Moving Onto Guitars?
Yes and No. The piano and the guitar, although essentially the same type of instrument have different practical applications. Where the piano has a linear design, the guitar on the other hand is multi-linear. Think of the piano as a great starting off point to find all the notes and chords in a scale and transfer that knowledge to the guitar. Learning both instruments can only enhance your musicality even more!
Are There Music Theory Lessons For Drums?
Yes. Drums are musical instruments as well. That means there are different tones and timbres involved when playing one. All you need to do is look beyond the banging and crashing and you’ll recognize the notes each individual drum produces. Learning music theory for drums will help your timing, technique, and application of different sounds through percussions.
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