For lifelong learners
It's not too late.
Today is the perfect time.
You've carried "learn music someday" for decades. Here's what nobody told you: someday doesn't require talent, childhood lessons, or hours you don't have. It requires one concept, twelve minutes at a time — and your brain will thank you for every session.
Begin this weekNo experience needed. No instrument needed to start — a free piano app works. Concepts apply to other instruments
The probleM
Common Misconceptions
- It takes 10,000 hours to learn music
- You need hours of practice every day for years
- Music theory is difficult to understand
- You have to play songs perfectly to make progress        Â
The Reality
Learning music is easier than you think; it's just that most people learn music backwards.
Most courses have students spend their energy learning concepts before they understand why they exist, how they connect, or where they fit into the bigger picture.
For example, most courses ask you to practice scales before explaining:
- What a scale is
- Why scales exist
- How scales are created
- How many there are
That disconnect is where confusion begins and where we step in.Â
Before You Learn starts with the big picture of how music works and how everything is connected.Â
Understand the big picture. Then everything makes sense!
The Solution
Tension and Release
This one concept is so powerful because it's all you need to understand how everything in music works- it's the hidden link that connects everything.
Every term, every topic you're going to learn—scales, melody, harmony, rhythm—isn't a separate, disconnected subject. They're all just different ways to create and vary tension.
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The good news? You're already familiar with this concept.Â
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Try This
Press both keys.
Which one has more tension?
Now — which would you use to relax?
That choice is exactly what musicians make.
Each sound you heard felt different because it had a different level of tension.
If this makes sense, you already understand the key to understanding all music theory!
Every scale, chord, melody, and harmony sounds and feels different for the same reason: each creates different levels of tension.
Start with the concept-
“Learning how sound and music work has been made painless.”
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“This course makes musical concepts accessible and easy to understand. My kids are already using what they’ve learned to improvise and create.”
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“After just four hours, I could explain why intervals and scales create different moods and emotions.”
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“I could read music, but I had no idea how to simply sit down and play. This course changed that.”
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“It’s simple, practical, and helped me explore musical elements I never consciously considered when composing.”
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“A comprehensive and easy-to-follow introduction to music theory.”
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“Everything finally clicked. The concepts were simple, my confidence grew, and I was soon playing piano and creating my own music.”
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“Concise, clearly explained, and filled with exercises that make each concept easy to understand. An excellent course.”
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“Instead of endless drills, I was creating music from the start. It made learning music exciting again.”
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“Easy to understand and stress-free. I can’t believe how much I learned in such a short time.”
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“An inspiring and easy-to-follow way to understand what lies beneath the music we hear.”
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“An approachable and insightful introduction to music theory, even with no prior knowledge.”
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“A unique approach that takes the frustration out of music theory and makes learning enjoyable.”
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“Easy to read, easy to understand, and it helped me improve my piano skills. Highly recommended.”
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“A completely different way to learn music—relatable, enjoyable, and easy to understand.”
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“A great starting point for your music theory journey.”
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“After wanting to learn music for more than 20 years, this course finally made it possible. Even at 58, I was able to learn, retain, and play music—and I loved every minute of it.”
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“This turned music theory on its head for me. Concepts that once confused me finally made sense—and it made me excited to learn more.”
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“It’s hard to put the course down!”
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“I witnessed firsthand the enthusiasm this course inspires. This approach is interactive, accessible, and builds creativity and confidence.”
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“This is more than a game changer—it’s a paradigm shift.”
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“As an educator, I can clearly see how impressive this new method is. I’ve recommended it to our children’s school.”
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“I wish I had this book when I taught music theory and composition.”
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“This course makes complex concepts simple and easy to understand.”
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“I wish Berklee had this course. This should be the way music is taught.”
“The clearest introduction to music theory out today. You never feel lost or confused—instead, you feel inspired to learn more. I wish I had it during my freshman year at Berklee.”
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“The Tao of Music Learning? An innovative, accessible approach that explains music through tension and release—much like the Daoist idea of yin and yang as two forces working together as one.”
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“Before You Learn has reframed my understanding of music theory. It made the complex concepts I knew more intuitive and experiential.”
“This course simplifies music theory in a way I’ve never seen before.”
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“Eric’s approach makes complex musical concepts easy to understand by connecting them to things we already know.”
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“After seeing Eric’s course, I asked him to teach his method to the 30 teachers in our district.”
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“After Eric demonstrated his course, I instantly saw the advantage of his approach.”
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“I wish I had this resource when I began teaching. It fills an important gap in music theory education.”
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“I base my preschool and elementary curriculum on Mindology, a student-centered approach to how children think and learn. I immediately saw the same philosophy in Before You Learn—making learning intuitive, engaging, and centered around the student.”
“I can see this course being used not only to teach music, but as a Social and Emotional Learning course as well.”
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Before You Learn presented at the 2026 Balance Mind Conference, NY.
what you'll learn
Nine modules. One concept. Complete understanding.
Each lesson builds on the last, so everything you learn helps you understand what comes next. Lessons average 12 minutes. Â
How You'll Learn
A proven step-by-step learning path
01
Learn
one music element (one building block) at a time, in plain language.  — each lesson averages 12 minutes
02
Experiment
with each building block. — growth built on experimentation, not repetition
03
Create
music with each new building block. — simple, but yours
04
Apply
everything you learned to understand the next lesson.
05
Rinse and Repeat
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Where it leads
A limitless foundation.
After nine modules, you’ll have a clear understanding of how music works—and receive your Course Completion Certificate. More importantly, you’ll have the confidence to improvise, compose, and express yourself freely through music.
At this point, you'll naturally desire to read and write music. Learning is easier when you want to learn.
You’re now ready for the three included companion courses:Â
- History of Music Genre
- History of Note Names
- History of Sheet Music
The exciting story behind note names, sheet music, and genres turns rules into reasons. Â
Coming Soon
The Song Library
Come learn the songs you love with our step-by-step videos —then use 'song mapping' to create your own versions.
Micro-Lessons
Stuck on anything? Book a private twenty-minute online session with Eric and get it resolved on the spot.
A Learning CommunityÂ
Join fellow students in our private community group — share what you're creating, ask questions, stay inspired.
Begin this week
Years of wanting.
Nine weeks of doing.
ReadÂ
Foundation Course PDF Download
$144Â or 5 Ă— $28.80
In this option, you will read all the course material and go through the practice sessions on your own.
Includes-
- PDF downloads
- 4 Bonus Video Practice sessions
- 9 Quizzes and Assessments to ensure growth and progress
Also Included:
- 3 Companion Courses -Â history of note names, sheet music, and genres
- Bonuses and Gifts
- Course Completion Certificate
While this is the most affordable option, it provides everything you need to succeed. The bonuses and gifts will encourage you to complete the tasks, while the course library will help you stay organized and track your progress.
Begin With A 7-Day Money-Back GuaranteeWatch
Foundation Course Guided Videos
$220Â or 5 Ă— $44
In this option, I will guide you through all the course material and practice sessions using 18 instructional videos.
Includes-
- 9 Step-by-Step Video Lessons
- 9 Guided Video Practice SessionsÂ
- 9 Lesson Review and Study Guides
- 18 Quizzes and Assessments to Ensure Your Growth and ProgressÂ
Also Included:
- 3 Companion Courses -Â history of note names, sheet music, and genres
- Bonuses and Gifts
- Course Completion Certificate
This option offers the best value! For roughly the price of a couple of private lessons, you will feel as though you have your own personal teacher. The bonuses and gifts will encourage you to complete the tasks, while the course library will help you stay organized and track your progress.
Begin With A 7-Day Money-Back GuaranteelCommon Questions
Honestly — am I too old for this?
I don't have hours to practice. Will this still work?
I failed at lessons before. Why would this be different?
Someday has a start date now.
One concept. Twelve minutes at a time. A lifelong skill, a sharper mind, and the quiet satisfaction of finally doing the thing.
Begin this week