Introduction

In 1725, Johann Joseph Fux wrote Gradus ad Parnassum (Steps to Parnassus), one of the first and most influential “music theory textbooks.” Parnassus is a mountain in Greece that is home to the Muses—the goddesses of literature, the sciences, and the arts. A number of well-known composers studied from Gradus ad Parnassum, including Mozart.

The title Steps to Music Theory has a double meaning. First, it is in homage to Fux’s Steps to Parnassus. Second, it refers to the steps students take to understand music theory. Steps to Music Theory breaks down each concept into clear, step-by-step instructions. Unlike a printed textbook, which is limited by page count due to cost, the online format allows for detailed explanations of each idea. In addition to abstract musical examples, nearly every concept includes real musical examples (many of which are by women composers). This text also contains illustrations of common errors students make.

Steps to Music Theory can be very detailed for students who prefer numerous examples; it can also be concise, with an overview box at the beginning of each section. Students can easily find the exact question or problem, and quickly refer to that section, since each chapter is divided into multiple sections.

The online format also lets students listen to musical examples while they read. The main advantage of Steps to Music Theory is the Practice Sections. Chapters are divided into sections, and almost every section contains one (and as many as six) Practice Sections, where students can verify their understanding of the concepts. Additionally, each Practice Section includes a video lecture that explains the steps to find the correct answer.