Music Theory App

While Sierra Schmidt studied music at Salt Lake Community College, she led a project team of students and built a useful series of spreadsheets to help teach and learn music theory concepts. Ms. Schmidt substantially improved the tool with more musical concepts and made the tool user-friendly as part of her University of Arizona Franke Honors College Thesis. Her thesis mentor was Dr. Matthew Williams.

The Music Theory Application is an interactive educational platform designed to enhance music theory pedagogy for students and educators. This bilingual (English and Spanish) web application provides instant feedback on chord identification, voice leading analysis, and harmonic progressions—addressing critical gaps in traditional music theory instruction. Students explore Western tonal harmony through hands-on tools including a 12-tone serialism matrix generator, MusicXML composition analyzer, and real-time pitch detection for ear training. The platform features comprehensive reference materials covering scales, intervals, musical forms, and figured bass notation. By combining dynamic notation rendering with integrated audio playback, the application transforms abstract theoretical concepts into accessible, interactive learning experiences.
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT
This work, titled "Sierra's Music Theory Application", including but not limited to all source code, algorithms, user interface designs, graphical elements, documentation, audio files, data structures, and accompanying materials, is protected by copyright law and international treaty provisions.
SCOPE OF PROTECTION
This copyright extends to and includes:
  1. Source Code: All original TypeScript, JavaScript, TSX, CSS, SQL, and configuration files comprising the application, totaling approximately 22,000+ lines of code across 87 React components, 8 utility modules, 6 data processing modules, and 1 serverless backend function.
  2. Algorithms: Original computational methods for chord identification, voice leading analysis, Roman numeral progression analysis, serialism matrix generation, scale collection processing, and music theory rule verification.
  3. Data Compilations: The curated 18,036-entry chord database and associated chord matching algorithms.
  4. User Interface: The visual design, layout, navigation structure, and interactive elements of the application.
  5. Documentation: All accompanying instructional materials, help text, and technical documentation.
  6. Audio Files: Original audio samples and synthesized musical content.
RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this work may be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published, or broadcast in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, digital scanning, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
DERIVATIVE WORKS
The creation of derivative works based upon this software, including but not limited to translations, adaptations, modifications, enhancements, or compilations, is prohibited without express written authorization from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2026 Sierra Music Academy