Open Music Theory

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Freedom report

Two barsScore 6.3

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely1 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

Open Music Theory is ranked #13 of 27 in music theory software on Freedom251. It runs on Web. There is a free plan.

Open Music Theory plans and pricing

All plans

Open Music Theory Free No pricing or usage limits stated on the pages opened openmusictheory.github.io · 9 Oct 2026

Compared on music theory software

Free plan: Yes
Interactive exercises: Yes
Notation tools: basic
Harmony tools: Yes
Supported platforms: Web

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The record

What it is: Open Music Theory is an open-source, interactive online textbook for college-level music theory courses.
Teaching approach: The textbook is designed to support active student engagement and is used by its original authors in flipped courses.
Reference style: The pages are intended as a quick reference alongside musical activity, with minimal graphical and audio examples.
Topics: The table of contents includes fundamentals, voice-leading, harmony, form, post-tonal music, pop and rock music, and text and music.
Interactive notation: The book includes interactive music notation modules built with technology supported by Trinket.
Trinket embedding: The site says Trinkets can be added to websites that support iFrames and that several are embedded in Open Music Theory.
Notation limits: The Trinket guide says the tool supports a limited set of musical features to keep notation simple.
Analysis layer limit: A page on applied chords states that Trinket supports only one layer of lyrics or harmonic analysis.
Open license: The textbook is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, which permits use, modification, distribution, and sale with attribution and the same licensing terms for derivatives.
Customization: The about page says users can fork the GitHub project and edit, add, or remove text, graphics, videos, and the HTML and CSS theme.
Download option: The about page says individual files can be downloaded for conversion into classroom handouts.
Publisher and editors: The textbook is published by Hybrid Pedagogy Publishing under editors Robin Wharton and Kris Shaffer.
Audience: The site describes the textbook as intended for college-level music theory courses.
Founded: 2014
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Music Theory Software in 2026#13 of 27

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Sources

openmusictheory.github.io· checked 9 Oct 2026
openmusictheory.github.io/about.html· checked 9 Oct 2026
openmusictheory.github.io/contents.html· checked 9 Oct 2026
openmusictheory.github.io/trinket.html· checked 9 Oct 2026
openmusictheory.github.io/appliedChords.html· checked 9 Oct 2026