---
title: "Music theory first steps"
description: "8 topics in Arts & Music, in the order they build on each other."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/areas/music-theory-first-steps
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/areas/music-theory-first-steps.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Music theory first steps

8 topics in Arts & Music, in the order they build on each other.

Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/areas/music-theory-first-steps

- [Finding the steady beat](https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/finding-the-steady-beat-ct_ebGLHfzz27o): Feel and keep the even beat that runs through a song.
- [Long and short sounds](https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/long-and-short-sounds-ct_x6T1ummvCdc): Say ta and ti-ti for long and short sounds on the beat.
- [Loud and quiet](https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/loud-and-quiet-ct_NoBGDceitaw): Forte means loud and piano means quiet.
- [Fast and slow](https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/fast-and-slow-ct_3D2KcLXr2bk): Tempo is the speed of the beat. Allegro is fast and adagio is slow.
- [High and low sounds](https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/high-and-low-sounds-ct_jV8R937gcGI): Pitch is how high or low a sound is.
- [The staff and where notes sit](https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/the-staff-and-where-notes-sit-ct_nPkxk0ezxeY): The staff has five lines and four spaces, and notes sit on them.
- [Note names A to G](https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/note-names-a-to-g-ct_hb_IpciuWGg): The musical alphabet and the treble clef landmarks E G B D F and FACE.
- [Reading and clapping simple rhythms](https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/reading-and-clapping-simple-rhythms-ct_OK5jHg1Uw3o): Quarter notes, eighth-note pairs, a quarter rest, and four beats in a bar.