Music Student 101 artwork

Music · Jeremy Burns, Matthew Scott Phillips

Music Student 101

by Jeremy Burns, Matthew Scott Phillips

We are musicians, composers, engineers, teachers and students alike. The path of a musician can be challenging and uncertain but it can also be enriching and great fun! This is the path we chose and we are here as your resource. Explore theory, history, ear training, technique, special topics and overall musicianship.

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

159-Intro To 20th Century Music

Almost all of the music theory we've discussed at this point, in Western music, has been based on tonal music. In the 20th century, atonal music and a host of other style

Aug 30
1 h 19 min

158-10 Year Anniversary

This episode will be a celebration of the 10 years we've been doing this show! Let's talk about where we've been, where we are and where we're going. We will also have a

Jul 30
1 h 28 min

157-Harmonic Progression Pt.13 (All 7th Chords)

This ear training episode will be like many others. The difference? All chords (except the tonic) will be full 7th chords! Will these additions muddy up our analysis? Let

Jun 29
1 h 10 min

156-Women In Music Pt.3

Continuing where we left off on episode 97, we will now cover several influential female composers from the Romantic Period!

May 29
1 h 10 min

155-Orchestration-Woodwinds Pt.2

On episode 154, we began a discussion on orchestration for the woodwinds section and it's instruments: the flute, the oboe, the clarinet, the saxophone and the bassoon. W

Apr 29
1 h 20 min

154-Orchestration-Woodwinds Pt.1

Orchestration is the art of choosing the right instruments, and the proper balance thereof, for a composition. Different considerations go into conveying different moods

Mar 29
1 h 07 min

153-Tips For A Gigging Musician Pt.1

It's time to discuss playing a live show for money (a.k.a. "gigging")! We hope most musicians will experience this at some point. In this episode, we will focus on practi

Feb 28
1 h 26 min

152-Polytonality Pt.1

What is polytonality? Can a piece of music be in more than one key at a time? Where do atonality and polytonality differ? What does this music even sound like? If you hav

Jan 30
1 h 26 min

151-Listener Compositions Pt.9

This, our 9th listener compositions episode, is all about our talented listeners and their ever growing writing skills. We are calling this "The Reunion" because we have

Dec 31 2025
1 h 45 min

150-The Big Recap Pt.5

It is again time to reminisce on some of the topics we've covered in past episodes. This, part 5 of our recaps, will cover episodes 101-130. These episodes cover a lot of

Nov 29 2025
1 h 21 min

149-The Baroque Period (Early)

Departing from episode 148, Renaissance Music Pt.2 (Late), we now arrive at the Early Baroque period! Up for discussion will be some pioneer composers of this period such

Oct 28 2025
1 h 25 min

148-Renaissance Music Pt.2 (Late)

Continuing from episode 144, Renaissance Music Pt.1 (Early-Mid), we will now get into the late Renaissance period! In this episode, we will cover the composition techniqu

Oct 6 2025
57 min

147-Shenkerian Analysis Pt.3

We will now further our discussion of Shankerian analysis with linear intervalic progressions, compound melodies, transition between voices, more on the neighbor note and

Aug 29 2025
1 h 25 min

146-The Big Recap Pt.4

It is time to dedicate another episode to the purpose of reviewing some of the topics we've covered. This episode, part 4 of our recaps, will cover episodes 71-100. By ep

Jul 29 2025
1 h 40 min

145-Music Apps 2025

We've touched on music apps in past episodes. But we thought it might be nice to dedicate an episode to some great apps that cover ear training, rhythm, notation and prac

Jun 29 2025
1 h 24 min

144-Renaissance Music Pt.1 (Early-Mid)

Continuing from episode 134, Middle Ages Music Pt.2, we will now get into the early to mid Renaissance period. In this episode, we will cover the composition techniques a

May 29 2025
1 h 13 min

143-The Big Recap Pt.3

We decided to dedicate another episode to the purpose of reviewing some of the topics we've covered up to a certain point. This episode, part 3 of our recaps, will cover

Apr 27 2025
1 h 27 min

142-Melodic Dictation Pt.8-Locrian Mode

Melodic dictation, the act of transcribing and notating a melody by ear, is a crucial skill for a musician to cultivate. In this episode, we will focus on the ever elusiv

Mar 28 2025
1 h 27 min

141-The Blues Pt.3-Piedmont and Texas Blues

In episodes 64 and 89, we discussed the roots of blues and country and delta blues. Now we spread out from these genres to cover Texas blues and Piedmont blues. We will d

Feb 28 2025
1 h 03 min

140-Listener Compositions Pt.8

This, our 8th Listener Compositions episode, is all about our fine listeners and their fine talents. Let's hear what they've been up to! This episode will feature the ori

Jan 29 2025
1 h 38 min

Chart trend

Position in the Music chart (US), last 90 days.

#56
all-time peak
110
days in the top 100 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where Music Student 101 ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 21, 2026).

#166 Music US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

Whether you’re a music student in college, someone who is just curious about how and why music works, or are like me and going back to school after a very long break, this is the podcast you’re looking for. Well planned, relaxed, and thorough, these guys do a fantastic job at making music accessible to everybody. (Spoiler: music theory isn’t some magical out-of-reach concept for all but a select few. 😆) I have a Bachelor’s degree in music and am starting a Master’s, and I have either refreshed my memory or learned new things in every episode. Well worth the listen!

KBmusicnerd · Jul 2025

I've been a bass player for 20 years and I've tried many times to learn music theory on my own without much success. This podcast really made a lot of things click and I enjoy each and every episode. Keep up the good work!

richardthepratt · Jun 2025

If you search Top Ten best Music Theory Podcasts, you will find Music Student 101 in every list that is made. Most lists name it the #1 because it is. Jeremy and Matt love to teach and is clear they want you to learn. They have taught me so much and I very grateful for them. Thank you guys for taking my music to the next level.

jmegam · Jun 2025

Originally found this podcast in the fall due to getting turntables and wanting to learn more about music theory. 6 months later all caught up on the episodes and I’m learning to sight read on bass…. Great podcast that you can feel Jeremy and Matt’s passion in every episode.

HuffnPropayne · May 2025

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About Music Student 101 on Reason.fm

Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Music Student 101, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.

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