Read · Understand · Play · Create
Make music you can be proud of.
Clear, step-by-step books and free lessons in reading music, music theory and composition, from composer and educator Matthew Ellul.
- 176,000+books sold to readers worldwide
- 6 languagesEnglish, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Portuguese
- 6 bestsellersbooks that earned Amazon’s Best Seller badge
From the first note to your own music
Four stages, each built on the one before. Free articles to begin, books when you want to go deeper.
- Stage 1
Read
What the symbols mean: notes, rhythm, clefs and time signatures, from the very first page.
Start reading → - Stage 2
Understand
How music is built: scales, intervals, keys, chords and the way they move.
Learn the theory → - Stage 3
Play
Bring it to your instrument, with books for piano and guitar. On the way.
Coming soon - Stage 4
Create
Write music of your own: melody, form and structure, from first idea to finished piece.
Start composing →
The books
Read by music students, adult beginners and teachers around the world, in paperback and ebook.
Music theory for beginners
How to Read Music in 30 Days
The bestselling step-by-step course for complete beginners: notes, rhythm, clefs and the first building blocks of theory, with exercises and online audio.
The next step
Music Theory in 30 Days
Scales, intervals, chords and keys, explained clearly with examples you can hear and exercises to make them stick.
Composition
1001 Music Composition Prompts
Unleash your creativity and beat the blank page: 1001 starting points for pieces of every kind, for the days when ideas will not come.
Also in Spanish1001 propuestas de composición musical
Sheet music
Beethoven for Classical Guitar
Beethoven’s music arranged for classical guitar, with audio of every piece.
Who is behind the school
Matthew Ellul
School of Composition was founded by composer and music educator Matthew Ellul. His books have sold more than 176,000 copies in six languages, and the school now works with fellow musicians on books for piano and other instruments.
Matthew was self-taught for his first ten years, so he knows how confusing music theory can feel. Every book and lesson here is designed to make it clear, one small step at a time.
- Master’s in Music Composition, University of Malta
- Master’s in Music Performance, University of Alicante
- Fellowship in Music Theory, London College of Music (FLCM)
Latest articles
Reading music, theory and composition: clear explanations, with examples to listen to.
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Compose More Music: Why Quantity Beats Quality (At First)
If you want to improve as a composer, you must write more music. Here’s why, and how.
5 minutes -
A Brief History of Music Theory: From Prehistory to Film
This series on music theory wouldn’t be complete without a brief exploration of its history. This is not exactly the same as the history…
25 minutes -
Is Music Theory Necessary? Who Really Needs It?
Music theory is necessary for certain musicians, depending on their musical goals. A good theoretical understanding is important for aspiring composers, orchestral musicians, conductors,…
12 minutes -
Is Music Theory A Science? [Well, It Depends]
When we hear the term music theory, it can bring to mind a frazzled scientist working feverishly over bubbling beakers and piles of messy…
12 minutes -
Do Online Music Lessons Actually Work? [Spoiler: Yes!]
In the age of the internet, you can find nearly anything you need online. That includes lessons and tutorials on every subject. But how…
8 minutes -
Am I Too Old to Learn, Play and Compose Music?
You are never too old to learn and create music. You can learn piano, guitar, violin, songwriting, or composition at any age. Science has…
18 minutes