For players who already paid their dues
You've paid for the lessons.
Time to cash in.
Years of lessons. Thousands of dollars. You can play what's in front of you—but improvising, composing, or fully understanding why it works still feels out of reach.
 The problem isn't you. You learned the pieces before you were shown how they connect.Â
7-Day Money-Back GuaranteeCourse taught on piano, but theory applies to other instruments
Sound familiar?
The knowledge is in there.
It just never connected.
- You can read music, but creating it still feels foreign.
- Theory feels like random rules you memorized—not concepts you truly understand.
- Step away from the sheet music, and your confidence goes with it.
- Every new topic feels like starting over.
It's not your fault. You were taught music backwards—asked to learn scales, chords, keys, and other elements before you were shown the big picture of how all music works and how everything connects.
Before You Learn starts with that big picture.Â
Once you see it, everything starts to make sense.
The reframe
You don't need to start over.
You need a new foundation.
Before You Learn reorganizes what you already know around one concept-
Tension and release.
It shows you how every element of music connects to this one idea. Intervals, scales, melodies, harmonies, chords, and rhythms aren't separate facts—they all exist to create and vary tension. Those variations are what give music its emotion.
Once the pieces connect, music stops being something you simply play and becomes something you can understand, change, improvise, and create with confidence.
Music educators and students continue to endorse this course because before note names, before sheet music, before confusion, you start with a clear overview of how all music works and is created. Â
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“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.
You'll be reintroduced to everything you've learned from a new beginning. This will provide a clear, organized overview of how all music is created and how everything is connected. Lessons average 12 minutes.Â
Where it leads
A new foundation to build on.
After the nine modules, you'll have a newfound understanding of how music works and how its elements connect. More importantly, you will have the skills and confidence to improvise, compose, and freely express yourself musically.
Then explore the three included Companion Courses:
- History of Music Genres — See how different genres use the same musical blueprint in completely different ways.
- History of Note Names — Discover why sharps and flats became such an efficient way to name the notes.
- History of Sheet Music — Discover how notation evolved and why sheet music became such an efficient way to communicate music.
The history turns rules into reasons—and gives you a deeper appreciation for what you've learned.
Coming Soon
Song library
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 twenty-minute online private session with Eric and get it resolved on the spot.
Learning communityÂ
Join fellow students in our private community group — share what you're creating, ask questions, stay inspired.
Courses & pricingÂ
Choose the option that fits your needs and budget.
 Both options include the 9-module Foundation Course plus 3-Companion Courses:
- The History of Music GenresÂ
- The History of Note Names
- The History of Sheet MusicÂ
Think of this course as a "weekend workshop" that will reorganize everything you've learned while filling in the gaps. One that breathes new life into an investment you have already made.
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.
Start 7-Day Free TrialWatch
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.
Start 7-Day Free TrialA quick look inside the course library
Easy-to-Follow Lessons
Guided Practice SessionsÂ
Quizzes to Ensure Growth
Make your investment finally pay.
Think of Before You Learn as a weekend workshop that finally connects everything you've already learned—giving you the understanding and freedom to improvise and create music of your own.
Try The 7-Day Free Trial