Free Music Theory Poster
The core references for anyone learning music theory, on one wall: the circle of fifths, major and minor scales, key signatures, intervals, chords and how they move. Our Music Theory Essentials poster, free in eight sizes, in US or UK music terms.
Make it yours: see it in another style
Any US home printer (8.5 × 11 in). A binder, desk or music stand.
Download the PDFLetter, US · 94 KB
Customize this posterChange the sections, style and colors, and add your own title, in the Music Theory Poster Maker. $9 PDF.
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Make this poster yours
- Your own title, like “Mrs. Green’s Music Room”
- Only the sections you teach, or add more
- A different style: Dark, Modern or Minimal
Customize this poster →$9 PDF · try it free first
On the Letter poster (5 sections)
- Circle of Fifths
- Major Scale
- Natural Minor Scale
- Intervals
- Chord Formulas
Plus a practice tip in the space left over.
The bigger the poster, the more fits: A2 and larger have all 11 sections.
All sizes and files
| Size | Dimensions | Sections | US terms | UK terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | 216 × 279 mm · 8.5 × 11 in | 5 | PDF, 94 KB | PDF, 94 KB |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm · 8.3 × 11.7 in | 5 | PDF, 93 KB | PDF, 93 KB |
| 11 × 17 in | 279 × 432 mm · 11 × 17 in | 5 | PDF, 151 KB | PDF, 151 KB |
| A3 | 297 × 420 mm · 11.7 × 16.5 in | 7 | PDF, 121 KB | PDF, 121 KB |
| A2 | 420 × 594 mm · 16.5 × 23.4 in | 11 | PDF, 161 KB | PDF, 161 KB |
| 18 × 24 in | 18 × 24 in · 457 × 610 mm | 11 | PDF, 160 KB | PDF, 160 KB |
| A1 | 594 × 841 mm · 23.4 × 33.1 in | 11 | PDF, 228 KB | PDF, 227 KB |
| 24 × 36 in | 24 × 36 in · 610 × 914 mm | 11 | PDF, 240 KB | PDF, 240 KB |
What’s on the music theory poster
- Circle of Fifths: every major key with its relative minor and its number of sharps or flats.
- Major Scale and Natural Minor Scale: C major and A minor on the staff, with the pattern of whole and half steps under the notes.
- Key Signatures: the order of sharps and flats, and how to name the key from them.
- Intervals: every interval from unison to octave, its size in half steps, and whether it sounds consonant or dissonant.
- Chord Formulas: major, minor, diminished, augmented, suspended and seventh chords, as scale degrees and as notes from C.
- Chords in a Key, Roman Numerals and Common Progressions: the seven chords of a major key, what I, IV and V mean, and the progressions behind most songs.
- Cadences: authentic, plagal, half and deceptive (perfect, plagal, imperfect and interrupted in UK terms), the ways a phrase can end.
- Note & Rest Values: whole to sixteenth notes, with beats and time signatures.
On A4 and A3 there’s less room, so the poster keeps the sections you’ll look at most (the circle, the scales, intervals and chords) at a size you can read. A2 and larger have all eleven.
How to use it
- As a cheat sheet while you practice: finding a key’s sharps or the chords that go with it takes a glance instead of a search.
- Work round the circle: pick a key a day, find it on the circle, then check its key signature and the chords of that key on the same poster.
- In a theory class: at A2 or 24 × 36 in it reads from across the room, so students can check intervals or numerals during an exercise.
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.
- Circle of Fifths
- Lesson 34: The Circle of Fifths · The Circle of Fifths · Lesson 29: Key Signatures: G and F
- Major Scale
- Lesson 28: Build a Major Scale · Major and Minor Scales · Lesson 26: Half Steps and Whole Steps
- Natural Minor Scale
- Lesson 33: The Minor Scale · Major and Minor Scales · Lesson 28: Build a Major Scale
- Key Signatures
- Lesson 29: Key Signatures: G and F · Key Signatures · Lesson 34: The Circle of Fifths · Lesson 27: Sharps, Flats and Naturals
- Chord Formulas
- Lesson 31: Major and Minor Chords · Chord Formulas
- Chords in a Key
- Lesson 32: Chords in a Key · Chords in a Key · Lesson 31: Major and Minor Chords
- Roman Numerals
- Lesson 32: Chords in a Key · Chords in a Key
- Common Progressions
- Lesson 32: Chords in a Key · Chords in a Key
- Cadences
- Chords in a Key
- Note & Rest Values
- Lesson 15: How Long Is a Note? · Music Note Values · Note Value Chart · Time Signatures
Questions
Is it really free? Yes. Download it, print as many copies as you like for home or class, and share the link. No email or account.
Which size should I print? A4 or A3 at home for a desk or binder; A2 or larger from a print shop for a wall. Only A2 and up have all eleven sections.
US or UK terms? The US version says measure, half step and quarter note; the UK version bar, semitone and crotchet. The music is the same.
Wall poster or desk cheat sheet? Both, from the same page. Letter or A4 is a cheat sheet for the music stand while you practice, with fewer sections. A2 and larger make the full wall poster.
One overview poster, or separate charts? This poster gives you the main ideas at a glance. The single-topic charts, such as the circle of fifths or key signatures, go deeper on one topic. Most learners need this poster plus one chart for their instrument.