Today we’re talking something that can feel a little intimidating at first—but absolutely doesn’t have to be: Music theory.
Whether you’ve never read a note in your life, or you’ve got a budding Beethoven in your home, this episode will help you see just how simple and rewarding it can be to include both beginning and advanced music theory in your homeschool.
And the best part? You don’t have to know any theory yourself. You don’t have to teach it. And you don’t need any fancy supplies to get started.
Let’s walk through why it’s so valuable, what makes it doable at home, and how you can start—today.
Why Study Music Theory in Your Homeschool?
So first—why study music theory at all?
Music theory is the foundation of all music learning. It’s like grammar for music—it explains the “why” behind what you play, hear, or sing.
Here are just a few benefits of learning music theory:
It strengthens sight-reading and makes learning instruments easier.
It improves listening skills and helps students recognize patterns.
It boosts mathematical reasoning, because rhythm and meter are inherently mathematical.
It builds memory and cognitive flexibility.
And—just like learning a foreign language—music theory is another form of literacy.
In a homeschool setting, music theory can fit seamlessly into your day. It doesn’t need to be long, complicated, or parent-led. With the right structure, it becomes a powerful, self-guided tool for your child’s education.
And let’s be honest—music is part of life. It’s in our churches, celebrations, movies, video games, and cultural traditions.
Understanding music adds depth to how your children experience the world.
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“But I’m not musical.” “I can’t read music.” “I wouldn’t even know where to start!”
Here’s what I want you to hear clearly: You don’t need to know music theory to teach music theory.
That’s exactly why I created these three self-paced online courses.
Each one is designed for students to do independently—with video lessons, printable worksheets, ear training exercises, and even self-grading quizzes.
Your job is simply to encourage them and press “play.” That’s it.
In fact, I’ve had many parents say they learned alongside their children—and discovered a new appreciation for music in the process!
What Makes These Music Theory Courses Different
Let me tell you what makes these courses truly unique:
They’re created specifically for homeschool families, by a homeschool mom (me!) who’s also a certified and experienced music educator for over 30 years.
They’re age-appropriate, engaging, and flexible—your child can go at their own pace.
They combine theory, listening, and performance, so students aren’t just memorizing—they’re applying.
And they cover everything you need—from the very first note to college-prep level skills.
Let me walk you through the three courses I offer and how they build on each other.
Beginning Music Theory for Elementary (7:30–10:30)
If you have an elementary-aged student, start here.
This course introduces music theory through printable manipulative, games, body movement, rhythm activities, and piano play. It’s broken into three engaging sections:
Section 1: Music Theory Lessons
Notes of the treble and bass clefs
The Friendly Music Staff Song – A catchy tune that helps kids remember note names.
Names of Notes, Symbols, and Terms
Note values (quarter notes, half notes, eighth notes, and more)
Rhythms and how to read and count them
Rhythm practice through body percussion and bucket drumming
Sight-singing with solfege hand signs
Dynamics and tempo
Intervals, scales, and chords
High andlow pitches with the body scale
Section 2: Hand-Clapping and Singing Games
Hand-Clapping Games like Miss Mary Mack, Pease Porridge Hot, Head and Shoulders Baby 1-2-3, & Four White Horses help reinforce rhythm through fine-motor and gross-motor movement and memory through learning the chants.
Singing Games such as Chester, Aiken Drum, Dum Dum Dada, and Bow Wow Wow help children match pitch, internalize steady beat, build confidence, and have fun!
Section 3: Music Theory through Piano
Students learn 4 simple songs on the keyboard.
They experiment with playing chords to accompany those songs,
Finally, they will learn the basics of improvising and exploring sound.
And it’s flexible. If your goal is exposure, you might move through a lesson a week. If your goal is mastery, take your time—repeat, revisit, and build gradually.
Beginning Music Theory for Teens
This is one of my most popular courses!
It’s designed for middle and high school students and can be completed in a semester (a half-credit course) with 4 lessons per week. It includes 72 lessons and covers:
Note names and staff reading
Time signatures, rests, ties, and slurs
Major and minor scales
The Circle of Fifths
Intervals and triads
Sight-singing with solfege
Basic piano skills
Flashcard, app, and ear training practice
Self-grading quizzes
A final exam
And the best part? Students can earn ½ high school Fine Arts credit just by completing the course.
Let me share a few student favorites:
In the ear training exercises, students listen and identify whether notes are high or low, the same or different. It’s foundational work that improves their listening across all music.
Dictation exercises help them hear melodies and write them down—just like composers!
The app-based practice and flashcards keep it engaging and reinforce concepts.
And yes—it’s beginner-friendly. If your teen has never taken a theory class before, they’ll do just fine. The course starts at square one.
Advanced Music Theory for Teens
This is a full high school credit course and goes deep into college-level concepts. It’s ideal for:
High schoolers in band, orchestra, or private lessons who have already taken the Beginning Music Theory for Teens course
Teens interested in composition or music careers
Seniors planning to major in music in college
Students preparing for the AP Music Theory exam (although they will still need a certified AP teacher in order to have access to take the exam)
Students will study:
Meter and complex rhythms
Key signatures, modes, and transposition
Triads, seventh chords, and inversions
Harmonic analysis and chord progressions
Aural skills (listening to and writing music)
Sight-singing and dictation
Chord structure and analysis
Four-part writing
Figured bass and Roman numeral analysis
Advanced scales and modes
Seventh chords and inversions
The Nashville Number System
Music history and stylistic analysis
It’s designed like a high school math course: Each concept builds on the previous one, and mastery is expected and necessary before moving on to the next lesson.
So while it’s structured to be done in one school year—about 30–60 minutes a day—you’re encouraged to pause, review, or ask questions. There’s space in every lesson to leave comments, and I personally respond.
How It All Works in Your Homeschool
Each course is:
Self-paced
Accessible on any device (there is even a Teachable app through the App Store)
Includes lifetime access
Printable worksheets included
Automatically tracks progress
And it’s all online—zero prep for mom!
Conclusion
So whether your child is just beginning or ready to tackle the advanced levels, music theory can be a rewarding and achievable part of your homeschool.
It builds skills. It nurtures creativity. It opens doors.
And with these online courses, it’s never been easier to start. Visit the links below to preview the music theory courses. You can even watch a few lessons for free before you decide which one is the right fit.
Thanks for spending time with me today! I believe every homeschool family deserves access to high-quality music education—and I’m here to help you make that happen.
Until next time, keep pressing play and making music in your homeschool!
Ready to Join Music in Our Homeschool Plus?
No matter your homeschool style or experience, Music in Our Homeschool Plus has a tier designed to make music and fine arts easy, fun, and doable.
Still not sure which tier to choose? Ask yourself these questions:
Do you want pre-planned lessons you don’t have to prep? Go Basic.
Want full access to allcourses? Choose Core.
Love live classes and extras? Go Premium.
Teaching kids from multiple families in a co-op, group, or school? You’ll need School/Co-op.
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