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Free Beginner Music Theory Poster

A gentle start for new musicians: how long each note lasts, the names of the lines and spaces, the major scale, the keyboard and your first chords. Our First Steps poster, free in eight sizes, in US or UK music terms.

Beginner music theory poster (First Steps), Letter: Note & Rest Values, Note Names on the Staff, Major Scale, Piano Keyboard

Make it yours: see it in another style

Size

Any US home printer (8.5 × 11 in). A binder, desk or music stand.

Music words

Download the PDFLetter, US · 54 KB

Customize this posterChange the sections, style and colors, and add your own title, in the Music Theory Poster Maker. $9 PDF.

On the Letter poster (4 sections)

  • Note & Rest Values
  • Note Names on the Staff
  • Major Scale
  • Piano Keyboard

Plus a practice tip in the space left over.

The bigger the poster, the more fits: A2 and larger have all 7 sections.

All sizes and files
SizeDimensionsSectionsUS termsUK terms
Letter216 × 279 mm · 8.5 × 11 in4PDF, 54 KBPDF, 54 KB
A4210 × 297 mm · 8.3 × 11.7 in4PDF, 54 KBPDF, 54 KB
11 × 17 in279 × 432 mm · 11 × 17 in4PDF, 55 KBPDF, 55 KB
A3297 × 420 mm · 11.7 × 16.5 in6PDF, 141 KBPDF, 141 KB
A2420 × 594 mm · 16.5 × 23.4 in7PDF, 159 KBPDF, 158 KB
18 × 24 in18 × 24 in · 457 × 610 mm7PDF, 159 KBPDF, 159 KB
A1594 × 841 mm · 23.4 × 33.1 in7PDF, 185 KBPDF, 185 KB
24 × 36 in24 × 36 in · 610 × 914 mm7PDF, 186 KBPDF, 185 KB

What’s on the beginner poster

  • Note & Rest Values: whole, half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes and rests, how many beats each gets, and the common time signatures.
  • Note Names on the Staff: the lines and spaces of the treble and bass clefs, with the sayings that help you remember them (Every Good Boy Does Fine, FACE).
  • Major Scale: C major on the staff, with the whole and half steps and the name of each degree.
  • Piano Keyboard: one octave, white keys named, and both names for every black key.
  • Intervals and Chord Formulas: the distance between two notes, and how major, minor and seventh chords are built.
  • Circle of Fifths: the keys in order, as a map for later.

Every section keeps its explanations, so it reads like a short lesson rather than a chart. A4 holds the first four sections; A2 and larger have all seven.

How to use it

  • Hang it where you practice: beside the piano or music stand, so you can check a note name or a note’s length without stopping.
  • One section a week: start with note values and note names, which you need for everything else, and come back to scales and chords later.
  • With children: say the note names out loud together, and clap the note values: one clap for a quarter note, a held clap for a half note.

Learn it step by step

The poster is a reminder; these free lessons and guides teach each part, with notes you can play and hear.

New to reading music?Start with lesson 1: free, in your browser, no account.
Start lesson 1

Questions

Who is it for? Beginners of any age, children’s music rooms, and private teachers who want something to hand a new student. It follows the same order as Trebly’s free lessons.

Is it really free? Yes. Download it, print as many copies as you like, and share the link. No email or account.

Which size should I print? A4 at home is fine for a binder or the music stand; A2 or larger makes a wall poster with all seven sections.

Is it for children or adults? Both. Posters for children usually cover fewer topics and explain each one in plain words; references for adults fit more on a page and explain less. This one explains every idea briefly, so it works for children and adult beginners alike. For a denser reference, see the music theory poster.