Composing Beginner Course
6 core steps + 3 bonus for people who want to write music
▸ About this course
Build the theory you need to write melodies, chords, and progressions — one tool per step, all in order. Each step assumes the previous one, so work from the top.
For: people who want to compose, build chord progressions, or write melodies
Progress
Steps
- 1
Hear the distance between two notes
Intervals are the foundation of all music theory. Start by training your ear on perfect 5ths, major 3rds, and minor 3rds.
→ Identify P5, M3, and m3 by ear alone
- 2
Collect melodic material with scales
Major, minor, pentatonics, world scales — see and hear them as the 'usable notes' for melody.
→ Internalize the major and minor scale shapes
- 3
See which chords work in a key
Diatonic chords are the 7 chords that fit naturally in a key. Use the T / SD / D color coding to learn each chord's role.
→ Memorize the 7 diatonic chords of C major and the T/SD/D roles
- 4
Internalize classic progressions
Canon, Royal Road (IV–V–IIIm–VIm), Komuro, and more — hear them as patterns your ear recognizes.
→ Recognize 3–5 standard progressions just by hearing them
- 5
Build your own progression
Pick diatonic chords and arrange them into a vibe you want. Filter by mood (bright, melancholic, etc.).
→ Complete one original 8-bar progression
- 6
Write a melody over your progression
Over each chord, the piano highlights which notes work. Build a melody around the chord tones.
→ Write a 4-bar melody over the progression from step 5