I really enjoy Music Theory.
The precision of it.
The patterns that tie everything together and bring understanding.
In 2026, I started assisting with a local face-to-face music theory course and found it very satisfying. So I used my background in developing training systems to produce these slides to expand on the established course worksheets, with two main objectives:
1. Provide improved visuals that are easier to understand.
2. To provide simple examples from real songs rather than random notes on a stave.
While you can use these slides on their own, they are designed to follow the established course workbook, which provides exercises to help you strengthen and apply what you’ve learned so the knowledge becomes locked in. You can click the images below to view the exercise workbook, and it's answers, on Amazon:
My course covers all topics in the:
Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB)
Theory of Music Grade 1
If you wish, you may take this exam online. The exam fee is paid directly to AMEB, who mark the exam and issue your certificate (65% pass mark).
But I have also tried to include interesting background information that is not found in the exam, without overwhelming the reader with trivia. Information that is not part of the exam is clearly marked.
The course is free. Click an icon below to download the PDF or MS PowerPoint version:
30/5/26 - Updated Anacrusis section. Updated Rests in specific time signatures. Added Transposition method.
18/5/26 - The course is now complete. As I use it in the classroom I'm sure I will make improvements and the links above will be kept up to date.