# Theory Lessons

> Animated music theory lessons covering scales, chords, intervals, and analysis. (iPhone/iPad app by musictheory.net.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theory-lessons/id493157418 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [musictheory.net](https://appshunter.io/developer/459313479)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 126 App Store ratings · 154 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.8 · 4 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-01-17
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theory-lessons/id493157418/reviews.md

## What is Theory Lessons?

Theory Lessons features 39 music theory lessons from musictheory.net, presented in their original animated versions.

Complete lesson list:

• The Staff, Clefs, and Ledger Lines
• Note Duration
• Measures and Time Signature
• Rest Duration
• Dots and Ties
• Steps and Accidentals

• Simple and Compound Meter
• Odd Meter

• The Major Scale
• The Minor Scales
• Scale Degrees
• Key Signatures
• Key Signature Calculation

• Generic Intervals
• Specific Intervals
• Writing Intervals
• Interval Inversion

• Introduction to Chords
• Triad Inversion
• Seventh Chords
• More Seventh Chords
• Seventh Chord Inversion

• Diatonic Triads
• Roman Numeral Analysis: Triads
• Diatonic Seventh Chords
• Roman Numeral Analysis: Seventh Chords
• Composing with Minor Scales
• Voicing Chords
• Analysis: O Canada

• Nonharmonic Tones
• Phrases and Cadences
• Circle Progressions
• Common Chord Progressions
• Triads in First Inversion
• Triads in Second Inversion
• Analysis: Auld Lang Syne

• Building Neapolitan Chords
• Using Neapolitan Chords
• Analysis: Moonlight Sonata

## Key features

- 39 animated music theory lessons
- Covers staff, clefs, and ledger lines
- Explains note and rest duration
- Details major and minor scales
- Teaches intervals and chord inversions
- Includes Roman numeral analysis
- Features musical analysis examples

## Chart rankings

- #11 in Top Paid · Music (US App Store)
- #186 in Top Paid (US App Store)

## What do users think of Theory Lessons?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Efficient and easy to use
- 👍 Clear and concise explanations
- 💡 Helpful visual aids and animations
- 🤩 Excellent learning tool for beginners
- 🔍 Comprehensive coverage of music theory

**Cons**

- 🐛 Audio issues on some devices
- 🔍 Limited content compared to website
- 🤔 Keyboard-centric approach may not suit non-pianists
- 💰 Paid app when website is free

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Directional arrows and guidance symbols not working on iPad
- Text panels cut off at the bottom and unable to be resized

**Most requested features**

- Add more advanced theory topics
- Incorporate practice exercises and quizzes
- Include support for other instruments beyond piano
- Integrate with the Tenuto app for a more complete experience

## Recent user reviews (10 of 154)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theory-lessons/id493157418/reviews.md

### 5/5 — 实用且易于查阅的乐理知识库

*2026-05-06*

如题，知识结构易于上手，适合想系统性学习乐理知识的人。 本app唯一美中不足的是缺少深色模式。

en: [PR] dark mode needed.

### 4/5 — Needs lessons on sus chords.

*2026-04-06, version 3.2*

I love the app and I find it very useful, but it lacks any information regarding suspended chords.

### 5/5 — Très bien

*2026-03-30*

Très intéressant et instructif. Un petit point à améliorer : ajouter un marque page.

### 1/5 — No sound

*2025-11-19*

It looks like an interesting app, however it has no sound and the forward and bacheards arrows don‘t work as well.

### 5/5 — ~ 9 years later

*2025-10-19*

I have to say.  I appreciate apps like this that stand the time with needing much updating.  This app has been instrumental in learning music theory and what’s great is you can use it as a reference as well as a walkthrough. Love this app. Thanks to the developers

### 5/5 — Music Theory

*2025-06-19, version 3.2*

Very informative app, one of the best that I have seen! One thing you could do is add a section to where you can test your knowledge on what you have learnt. But other than that, amazing 🤩

### 4/5 — Language

*2025-02-21*

This is a very friendly software for people who are starting to learn music theory knowledge, but it is not very friendly for some foreigners or people who do not understand English. Although we can learn English in this way, most people still want to learn music theory, so I hope the official can see this comment and help us who do not understand English add some language options like Chinese, Japanese, etc. Thanks again to the official for giving those of us without much financial strength or time a platform to learn our own interests and hobbies.

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2025-01-05*

Please add German language support!

### 3/5 — IPad issue

*2024-12-29*

None of the directional arrows work, nor any other guidance symbols. Also, text panels are cut off at the bottom and cannot be resized. The course does not begin at the beginning, and I can’t go back to see what I missed, though having some theory already, it’s mostly review at this point. But if you’re going to charge ANYTHING, make sure what you’re charging for actually works.

### 1/5 — No exercises

*2024-11-13, version 3.1.1*

I thought there would be exercises like the online version but there isn’t. Quite disappointed

## Frequently asked questions about Theory Lessons

### What does the Theory Lessons app do?

The Theory Lessons app provides 39 animated lessons covering a wide range of music theory topics. These lessons are sourced from musictheory.net and are presented in their original animated format to aid understanding.

### What specific music theory topics are covered?

The app covers fundamental concepts such as the staff, clefs, ledger lines, note and rest durations, time signatures, scales (major and minor), key signatures, intervals, chords (triads and seventh chords), chord inversions, and various types of musical analysis.

### Is Theory Lessons free to use?

Yes, the Theory Lessons app is completely free to use. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements, allowing for an uninterrupted learning experience.

### What are the common use cases for this app?

This app is ideal for music students, aspiring musicians, or anyone looking to build a strong foundation in music theory. It can be used for self-study, supplementing formal music education, or as a reference tool for understanding musical concepts.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.2.1 — 2026-04-21

- Fixes an issue where opening a link to a lesson could fail.
- Updates the app icon used in Dark, Clear, or Tinted modes.
- Fixes an issue where the wrong image would show in "The Staff, Clefs, and Ledger Lines".
- Corrects typographical errors in "The Minor Scales", "Diatonic Seventh Chords", and "Roman Numeral Analysis: Seventh Chords".

### 3.2 — 2025-05-17

- Fixes an issue where audio might not play after watching a video in another app. If you encounter audio issues in this version, please contact us so we can further diagnose.

### 3.1.1 — 2021-01-26

• Improves compatibility with newer devices.
• Fixes an issue with swipe gestures.
• Fixes an audio glitch with certain piano sounds.

### 3.0.1 — 2017-11-01

• Adds full support for iPhone X.

### 3.0 — 2017-10-14

• iOS 11 Compatibility (including support for Smart Invert)
• Updated lesson graphics
• Bug fixes

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## More apps by musictheory.net

- [Tenuto](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tenuto/id459313476)

All apps by musictheory.net: https://appshunter.io/developer/459313479

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*