Music Theory Simplified

Overview

What you'll learn

• The Physics of Sound Understand the 12-note Equal Temperament system, the science of frequency and how it contrasts with Indian Classical tuning.
• Intervals & Intuition Move beyond "semitone maths". Learn to identify intervals by their emotional quality, internalising the DNA of melody and harmony.
• Scales & Modes Master the Major, Natural, Harmonic and Melodic Minor scales. Explore specific moods using Modes to expand your emotional palette beyond the standard box.
• Chord Architecture Construct complex chords, from suspended chords to the tension of Diminished chords and lush Extensions (7ths, 9ths, 11ths).
• Functional Harmony Understand why chords create tension and release. Master concepts like Secondary Dominants and Inversions to create smooth, professional voice leading.
• Cinematic Techniques Learn the "dark arts" of composition, including Chromatic Mediant Modulation, Negative Harmony and how to distinguish between true Modulation and Borrowed Chords.
• The Circle of Fifths Master this essential map to navigate key changes, calculate sharps/flats instantly and understand harmonic relationships for songwriting.
• The Energy Graph Arrange tracks effectively by visualising dynamic curves. Learn to structure Verses, Choruses and Bridges to manage listener gratification and energy flow.
• Melodic Craft Discover the strategies behind memorable melodies, utilising Motifs, Contour and phrasing.
• Texture & Counterpoint Create rich, professional arrangements by layering independent melodic lines (Counterpoint) rather than just relying on block chords.
• Rhythm & Notation Navigate complex Time Signatures (4/4, 6/8, 7/8), rhythmic subdivisions and gain a working knowledge of reading notes on the staff.
• Analyse the Hits Modern Classics (Rehna Tu, Tamizha Tamizha / Bharat Humko, Roja, Airtel Tune, Dil Chahta Hai, Kaisi Hai Yeh Rut, Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin, O Re Piya) and Retro Gems (Nakhrewali and Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na).
• Professional Case Studies Step inside a working professional's studio. Explore the actual DAW sessions of original ad campaigns (including Cadbury and Good Knight) to see how a composer interprets briefs and crafts a complete narrative in 30 seconds.
• The Indian Context A unique approach that connects Western Music Theory concepts to their Indian parallels, relating Major/Minor scales to Thaats and intervals to Shuddha/Komal Swaras, making complex theory intuitive for musicians with an Indian musical background.
• The Technical Foundation Gain essential knowledge of Digital Audio (Sample Rates, Bit Depth, Quantisation) to ensure productions meet professional technical standards.

About this course

Captions and quizzes are being added to all courses and will be available soon.

Curriculum

51 items · 9h 39m of video

1. Why Music Theory1 min
2. The Keyboard3 min
3. The Tuning System and The Basics of Sound3 min
4. Intervals12 min
5. The Major Scale13 min
6. Triads15 min
7. Harmonizing a Scale14 min
8. Intervals Continued with Song Examples17 min
9. Natural Minors, Relative Minors and Parallel Minors6 min
10. Learning through Deconstruction - O Re Piya2 min
11. Harmonic Minor Scale and Suspended Chords9 min
12. Melodic Minors3 min
13. Learning Through Deconstruction - Functional Harmony and Tamizha Tamizha: Bharat Humko (Part 1)30 min
14. Extended Chords and Whole Tone Scale5 min
15. Learning through Deconstruction - Inversions and Nitin's Cadbury Ad 114 min
16. Functional Harmony in Minor Scales7 min
17. Modes22 min
18. Learning through Deconstruction - Dil Chahta Hai27 min
19. Learning through Deconstruction - Modulation and Rehna Tu21 min
20. Enharmonic Nomenclature3 min
21. Circle of Fifths - Sharps12 min
22. Pentatonic Sclaes, Blue Note and 12 Bar Blues10 min
23. Learning Through Deconstruction - Chromatic Mediant Modulation29 min
24. Learning Through Deconstruction - Extended Chords and Tamizha Tamizha: Bharat Humko (Part 2)9 min
25. Secondary Dominants12 min
26. Advanced Modes and Scales7 min
27. Circle of Fifths - Flats7 min
28. Initial thoughts on melody5 min
29. What Makes a Good Melody23 min
30. Diatonic Chords of the Harmonic Minor Scale14 min
31. Notes on the Staff6 min
32. Time Signatures and Rhythm41 min
33. Tone, Timbre, Texture and Counterpoint10 min
34. Cadence17 min
35. The Old Way of Naming Harmonic Inversions2 min
36. Half Cadence - More Examples4 min
37. Learning through Deconstruction - Nakhrewali12 min
38. Learning through Deconstruction - Nitin's Cadbury Ad 215 min
39. Advanced Modulation Trick9 min
40. Learning through Deconstruction - Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin26 min
41. Modulation vs Borrowed Chords2 min
42. When is a Relative Minor Movement a Modulation?3 min
43. How to Know Whether It Is a Modulation or Tonicization1 min
44. Triads vs Extensions3 min
45. Learning through Deconstruction - Nitin's Good Knight Ad23 min
46. How to Get Inspired10 min
47. Random Thoughts9 min
48. Structure - The Energy Graph of a Song11 min
49. Negative Harmony14 min
50. Bonus Content - Audio Basics11 min
51. Music Theory Simplified - Session NotesNotes

Reviews

What students say about learning with Nitin.

• Nitin has a very open approach to teaching that enabled all of us to feel at home asking him questions, learning fundamental concepts and have a good time building relationships. Nitin was able to give me insights into music theory that my previous music teachers simply glossed over, and I now feel more empowered to compose and arrange music myself. Highly recommended!

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• Recently participated in Nitin's music theory workshop, and I must say, the way he effortlessly explained complex topics shattered the misconception that music theory is inherently challenging. Grateful for the insightful session, and a big thank you to Nitin for making the intricate world of music theory accessible. Highly recommend to anyone looking to delve into the subject with clarity and ease. 👏 Best part for me was I was learning the concepts by deconstructing my all time favourite songs. The approach is pretty awesome!

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• I followed Nitin Sir after watching his A.R. Rahman song breakdown sessions on Instagram. After a few weeks or months, he announced his second theory workshop and I was excited to enrol. Little did I know I would be provided more value than what I asked for. Not only did he help us go through music theory, he deconstructed numerous songs so we could understand how to put in practice what we had learnt.

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• Nitin's music theory workshop is totally one to do if you want to expand and explore the theoretical aspect of music. For the first time in my 25 years of musical journey, I can finally start to realise and understand how beautiful the western theory of music is which I have always dreaded.

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• I attended this music theory workshop recently, and let me tell you, it was mind-blowing! I went in thinking I had a good grasp of music theory, but really, I was in for a surprise. The workshop took us from basics to advanced concepts that I had never explored before. Nitin Sir is simply brilliant. His teaching style is fantastic; he patiently explains everything until you truly get it. Now, I have the understanding of how to deconstruct any song and truly comprehend why they sound the way they do. You all might think you can learn this stuff online, but trust me, this workshop is on a whole new level. Every music enthusiast should join; it's totally worth your time and money.

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• I am a complete newbie in music, this is the first music class of my whole life. But I can say that, the kind of articulation of complex music theory and its concepts, nitin sir is really the best as a music composer too and especially as a music teacher. His expertise you can sense in just 5m of a any music conversation with him. Thank you so much @nitindubeymusic sir. Immense respect for you❤️

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• Learning from Nitin has opened my beginner eyes / ears to so much depth yet in a simple way. Thankful to be part of this amazing cohort that has so much talent. I am hoping to keep up.

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• I was looking for such sessions and thought music theory!? Is it really required to join? I can learn it! But after speaking to Nitin, I was convinced, and post sessions I can 100% assure that it will be more than worth it with theory and practical & applicable ways. More importantly, the stuff that's most important for any music learner to understand - the beauty in a song, more than basic understanding. Nitin has helped us to look with a wider perspective whenever we listen to the other songs and then onwards!!!! If you can afford the time & money, I would strongly recommend to join the sessions or get his courses.. Thank you @nitindubeymusic for some wonderful sessions!!!❤️

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• Happy to be a part of this workshop and the amazing group of people! Music theory whilst important can often be intimidating for somebody starting out. On a personal level, I have always struggled with understanding harmony. @nitindubeymusic excels at breaking down complex musical concepts and distilling them with examples from popular music. I am looking forward to rest of sessions and to finally having a strong foundation to build on.

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• I am simply grateful to be a part of this amazing cohort. It has given me a reason to believe that I can learn music.

• Amazing workshop which doesn't feel like a workshop. Extremely interactive and sprinkled with examples of Bollywood Hollywood and classical music. Anyone interested in music should consider going for this.

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