Openmusictheory

Open Music Theory is an open-source interactive online textbook for college-level music theory courses.

openmusictheory.github.io
Openmusictheory homepage screenshot

About Openmusictheory

Open Music Theory is an interactive online textbook for college-level music theory courses. It was built on resources authored by Kris Shaffer, Bryn Hughes, and Brian Moseley, is edited by Kris Shaffer and Robin Wharton, and is published by Hybrid Pedagogy Publishing. The site describes itself as open-source, and its interactive music notation modules were built with technological support from the team at Trinket. The first major edition was funded through a crowdfunding campaign in the summer of 2014. Content is in English, and the site provides a table of contents and an about page listing project donors. No pricing information is given on the homepage.

Key features

  • Interactive music notation modules built with Trinket technology
  • Table of contents covering the full textbook
  • Written for college-level music theory courses
  • Edited by Kris Shaffer and Robin Wharton
  • Published by Hybrid Pedagogy Publishing
  • Online, browser-based text in English
Best for: College music theory instructors and students who want an interactive, openly described online textbook for coursework.
Good for
  • Interactive notation modules integrated into the text
  • Edited and published scholarly work with named authors and publisher
  • Site describes the textbook as open-source
Watch out for
  • No pricing information is provided on the homepage
  • Content is offered in English only
  • Interactive notation modules rely on third-party technology from Trinket

Openmusictheory at a glance

Type
Website
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Web
Open source
Not stated
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026

Openmusictheory alternatives

Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.

All 10 alternatives

LightNote

lightnote.co

LightNote teaches basic music theory through short interactive lessons on chords, progressions and melodies.

Agora

agora.community

Agora.community offers animation learning material, with a focus on studio-level skills.

Popular in Hobbies & DIY

Well-known listings from the same topic.

All 165

Openmusictheory FAQ

Who created Open Music Theory?
It was built on resources authored by Kris Shaffer, Bryn Hughes, and Brian Moseley, is edited by Kris Shaffer and Robin Wharton, and is published by Hybrid Pedagogy Publishing.
What powers the interactive music notation modules?
The team at Trinket provided major funding and technological support, including building the technology behind the interactive music notation modules found in the text.
How was the first major edition funded?
A crowdfunding campaign in the summer of 2014 made the first major edition possible financially; donors are listed on the about page.
Is something wrong or out of date?

Tell us and an editor will check it.

Own this website?

Claim the listing and suggest updates yourself. An editor checks every claim first.

Claim this listing