Music theory can be daunting for beginners, but fortunately, technology has made it easier to learn on-the-go. With the rise of music theory apps, you can now study music theory anytime and anywhere, even without the presence of a music teacher. In this article, we’ll be exploring the best free music theory app available on Android that can help you master this discipline and improve your musical skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician looking to refresh your knowledge, these apps are perfect for you. So, let’s get started!
10 Best Free Music Theory App Android
Below is a compiled list of 10 Best Free Music Theory App Android for your consideration, which have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by our team of experts.
1. ABRSM Music Theory Trainer
The ABRSM syllabus from grades 1 to 5 is covered by the ABRSM Music Theory trainer, which contains over 6,000 questions to test music theory knowledge. The basics can be learned before testing oneself to achieve perfect scores and unlock the next level. The app covers various topics, including the musical stave, scales, keys, chords, rhythm, time signatures, musical terminology, signs, voices, and instruments, among others. Although the app is best viewed on a tablet, it can still be used on a smaller phone. Music theory is essential for developing well-rounded and confident musicians.
2. Chord! Free (Guitar Chords)
Chord! is a chords and scales app for guitar and other fretted instruments like bass and banjo. Instead of relying on a database of charts, the app computes and analyzes all possible fingerings, making it the most complete app of its kind. With the app, you don’t even need to know music theory as it can handle subtleties of music by itself. The free version has fully functional chord search, but only with 5 scales and 8 tunings. The app can also search for practically any chord, split or not, and it is useful for beginners and advanced players. The app fully supports left-handed instruments and is available in several languages.
3. Complete Ear Trainer
The ultimate ear training app for musicians is available, which is designed to improve your aural skills and music theory knowledge. Many aspects of your life as a musician can be enhanced, such as improvisation, composition, arrangement, interpretation, singing, or playing in a band. With strong pedagogical concepts in mind, this app is designed like a video game and will enable you to truly master each interval, chord, and scale before moving on to the next. The app features 150+ progressive drills arranged over 4 levels/28 chapters, 11 drill types, cloud sync across various devices, and a nice and clean material design user interface with 2 display themes. The full version can be unlocked with a one-time in-app purchase of $4.99 on all Android devices.
4. Functional Ear Trainer
Ear training can be made easy and fun with the right approach. Learning to transcribe or play music by ear is essential for a musician. A good musical ear aids in composing, improvising, transcribing melodies, or playing with others. Although various programs teach to recognize intervals or even acquire perfect pitch, Alain Benbassat’s program called “Functional Ear Trainer” is the most effective. The program teaches to distinguish between tones in the context of a particular musical key. Anyone can gradually develop this skill, irrespective of their age, experience, or musical instrument they play, by practicing for 10 minutes a day. An Android app based on the Alain Benbassat method is available for download.
5. Learn music theory with Sonid
The music education app Sonid allows you to learn music theory in a fun and organized way. It is designed for both beginners and advanced musicians. Unlike other apps, Sonid focuses on one topic at a time, allowing for a more natural understanding of music. Its features include learning about various musical subjects, answering questions, and unlocking new modules. By completing all the classes, you will learn how to build and play any existing scale, recognize keys and progressions, and understand chord symbols. Learning music theory can help you improve your playing, sound unique, compose new melodies, communicate with fellow musicians, and find the right notes at the right time. You can subscribe to Sonid Plus for even more content. If you encounter any bugs, you can report them through the Play Store app comments or by emailing info@tocadovision.nl.
6. Music Theory – Chords in Keys
Music Theory – Chords in Keys’ is an app that can be used by anyone to learn music theory. Users will be trained to think their way around musical keys and understand the three and four note chords within all 12 major, natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales. The app has a simple layout and requires no music-reading skills. With practice, users can improve their knowledge of music theory, chords, and keys. The app is suitable for guitarists, pianists, brass players, wind and strings players, and singers. It was created by guitarist and music educator Stuart Bahn to help music students improve their knowledge of music theory. A summary of all relevant music theory of chords within each of the scales is included in the help pages. The app is available on Android smartphones and comes with a money-back guarantee. If users encounter any technical problems, they can contact the developers for a resolution or refund.
7. Music Theory Helper
This app has been created to assist individuals in easily comprehending and finding information about music theory. To enhance your skills in ear training, music theory, and sight-reading, use the tools and exercises included. If you have any issues with the app or want to provide feedback, please contact us. The app incorporates essential components of music theory, such as intervals, chords, and note values, among others. Tools such as chord builder, scale builder, and mode builder are included, in addition to the Practice Helper, which is accessible through a paid subscription. Training exercises, including listening and reading exercises, as well as mental practice exercises, are included. The app is available in English, Italian, Russian, German, and Swedish and is free, but some features require a subscription.
8. Music Tutor (Sight Reading)
Music Tutor allows sheet music reading and sight-reading improvement through timed sessions and the identification of music notes. The app offers practicing between treble, bass, and alto clefs for 1, 5, or 10-minute durations, along with ear training and listening skills. Mistake review and progress tracking are available, as well as options for practice range and Solfège and German note names. Additionally, it provides a sheet music reference chart and a Stats page to monitor progress.
9. MyMusicTheory – music theory
Music theory can be practiced and sight reading skills can be trained with this app. All important topics of music theory can be learned, from simple notes for beginners to identification of exotic scale modes. Key signatures, intervals, chords, scales, diatonic chord degrees, and rhythm exercises are covered. Notes can be practiced in different clefs and note naming schemes. This app can help prepare for Levels 1 – 5 of ABRSM, although it does not cover all topics. The app is not affiliated with Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and all names, copyrights, and trademarks belong to their respective owners.
10. Perfect Ear: Music & Rhythm
High quality ear training, rhythm training, solfège and music theory lessons are provided by Perfect Ear, along with note reading lessons. It is recommended by music teachers worldwide and is perfect for both beginners and professionals to enhance their musicianship. Customizable exercises, beginner-friendly theory articles, melodic dictation exercises, sight-reading training, note singing training and a comprehensive scale dictionary are among the key features of this app. You can use a piano or guitar for ear training exercises and plug in your MIDI keyboard for the sight-reading trainer. Perfect Ear is considered the best free ear training app available, with excellent Play Store reviews.