Learning Music Theory Online

Daniel_uk · Post by **Daniel_uk** » Sun Mar 15, 2026 11:47 am

Has anyone here learned music theory just from free resources online (no courses)? I’m a very beginner guitar player — I can only play a few songs — but I started feeling like learning music theory might be a better way to keep improving on guitar. If you learned theory this way, what helped you the most? Any resources or advice for beginners?

Post by **Olly** » Sun Mar 15, 2026 11:59 am

I always used to use this website for excersises when I used to be a little more dedictated probably 20 years ago. Nice to find the site still going strong.

https://www.musictheory.net/

The tools are really good for ear training and learning the notes on the fretboard etc if that is your sort of thing. I have not visited the site in quite a while but it looks like they have added some additional lesson material. No experience on the quality but I would thing it would be good based on the quality of the tools.

GearNerd · Post by **GearNerd** » Mon Mar 16, 2026 9:00 am

I highly recommend checking out Scotty West's Absolutely Understand Guitar series on YouTube. It's a great free resource for beginners looking to learn music theory.

BluesGuy · Post by **BluesGuy** » Mon Mar 16, 2026 9:03 am

I personally learned a lot from the Applied Guitar Theory website. It's mostly free and has some great resources for beginners looking to dive into music theory.

MetalPlayer · Post by **MetalPlayer** » Mon Mar 16, 2026 9:08 am

A French guy on YouTube has a complete music theory course that I found really helpful. Definitely worth checking out for free resources.

StudioPro · Post by **StudioPro** » Mon Mar 16, 2026 9:12 am

I suggest listening to the Music Student 101 podcast. Music theory can be applied to any instrument, so don't feel like you need something guitar-specific. It has really helped me improve my understanding of scales and chords.

UKPete24 · Post by **UKPete24** » Mon Mar 16, 2026 9:15 am

I've learned a ton of theory online as well. There are so many resources out there, you can pretty much learn everything except reading notation. Keep exploring and you'll find some great free options.

MetalPlayer · Post by **MetalPlayer** » Mon Mar 16, 2026 9:17 am

Desi Serna's Fretboard Theory book is also a great resource for beginners looking to learn music theory. It's around $20 but definitely worth the investment.

sam54 · Post by **sam54** » Mon Mar 16, 2026 9:21 am

I've been using the Justin Guitar beginner course videos and they have been a great help in understanding music theory. Definitely recommend it for beginners.

Solarflares · Post by **Solarflares** » Mon Mar 16, 2026 10:14 am

This will explain why Justin’s tuning method can never work. After that, it really isn’t worth digging deeper into his world.

https://islandguitarstudios.com/tuning- ... ml#methods