About Akousia
Akousia helps you understand the music you hear and make. Why does changing one note turn a major chord into a minor one? What makes a rhythm swing? Explore the explanation, hear the difference, then try an idea of your own.
Why this exists: change one note, hear what happens
A chord name means more when you know its sound.
Play C, E and G: C major. Lower just the E to E-flat: C minor. The outside notes stay put, but the chord's character changes. That middle note is the third, and now the name has a sound attached to it.
That connection is why Akousia exists. The knowledge base explains chords and rhythm, but also the decisions you make when writing a melody, arranging a band or mixing a recording. The aim is to help you notice a musical detail, understand how it works and use it yourself.
Some questions take a quick comparison. Others need a few examples and a little practice. You can follow the beginner lessons or go straight to the thing that caught your ear.
How the site works
- Follow a questionStart with the beginner lessons, or look up a topic in the knowledge base. Find out what an interval is, how chord inversions work or what a compressor changes.
- Try a changeUse the Pianolab to compare chords and their notes, or the Drumlab to move a hit and hear the rhythm change. A small experiment can make an explanation click.
- Test your earOpen an ear training exercise, listen and choose an answer. Replay the sound and use the feedback to work out what you missed.
The rules behind the explanations
- Sound with a purposeListening examples give you something specific to compare, such as the changed note in a chord or the spacing of a swung rhythm.
- Plain languageMusic terms come with an explanation and an example. You should not need to decode a sentence before you can try the idea.
- Room to exploreFollow the lessons or jump between topics. You can read, play and practice without creating an account.
- Context mattersA minor chord can sound sad, but it can also sit in an energetic dance track. We explain what changes in the music without telling you there is only one way to feel about it.
Remi Erskine
Remi is the maker of Akousia. Piano came first, guitar later, with plenty of time spent knowing the theory words before recognizing their sound.
Akousia grew out of wanting those two things closer together. If you read about a chord inversion, you should be able to hear the same chord with a different note at the bottom. If an explanation leaves you wondering what to listen for, it needs another pass.
How we keep the explanations useful
- Check the detailsWe use music references and practical examples to check definitions, notes and techniques. Where terminology varies, the explanation should make the convention clear.
- Keep examples honestA synthesized chord can demonstrate its notes. It cannot stand in for everything a singer, guitarist or orchestra brings to a performance.
- Correct what is wrongIf a note, explanation or example seems off, send the page link and tell us what you noticed. Clear questions help us improve the next version.
The socials
Find Akousia as akousiamusic on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Short listening challenges give you a sound to identify and a reason to listen again.
Contact
A question, a correction, or a sound you would like us to explain? Write to [email protected].