Overview

Rating:
4.10
(11)
Version:
2.3.0
Last updated: 2023-11-19
Ranking
#361,959 29,259
Overall

Features & Capabilities

Embark on a musical journey! Follow the Hooktheory Book Series in a smart, fun, skill-building journey. Learn how to craft melodies and chord progressions like professional musicians, and discover an intuitive and deep understanding of how music works. Validated by over 30,000 hobby and pro musicians like you, the Hooktheory Book Series is the best-selling how-to series for musicians around the world for a reason.

Hooktheory I isn’t like other music theory books.

Hooktheory teaches with an easy-to-understand music format that emphasizes chord and melody function. Rich audiovisual animations play along as you learn. We dissect popular songs and show you how the pros do it. Immediately practice concepts and tactics with our companion musical sketchpad, Hookpad. There is nothing else like it!

Fun to read. Easy to understand. Full of practical knowledge.

Learn from 41 interactive exercises and 88 audiovisual examples from artists like The Beatles, Journey, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Adele, Coldplay, Billy Joel, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Maroon 5, and more!

In Hooktheory I, you’ll learn the following skills:

• Composing music based on a scale. • Understanding the six basic chords that underlie all great chord progressions. • Writing chord progressions based on function (understanding which chords go together and which ones don’t) • Making melodies “chord aware” - learn why certain melodies sound good with a chord progression and why others don't • Controlling the natural tension and release in melodies over a chord progression

Benefits:

• Simple piano roll notation (sheet music knowledge not required) • Every concept + technique demonstrated through an actual song • 88 audiovisual examples from artists like The Beatles, Journey, and Taylor Swift • Reinforce learning at every step with 41 exercises • Designed to be used with Hookpad Music Making Software. Hookpad lets you practice every concept and tactic you learn in the books immediately

To sum it up, Hooktheory I will teach you the essential basic techniques for crafting effective and compelling chord progressions and melodies.  

Reading Hooktheory I doesn’t require any previous music knowledge or the ability to read sheet music. On average, it takes about five hours to read so it isn't a huge time commitment. Dedicate only a few hours to reading this book and gain a lifetime of skills that will give your music that professional edge.

User Growth & Download Statistics

App
By:
Hooktheory LLC
Rating:
4.10
(11)
Version:
2.3.0 Last updated: 2023-11-19
Version code:
853460796
Creation date:
2014-04-25
Compatible devices:
Size:
140.43MB
Price:
14.99
URLs:
Website ,Privacy policy
Full description:
See detailed description
Source:
Apple Apps Store
Data ingested on:
2026-07-26
Compare stats and ranking:

Contact the developer

Chrome-Stats does not own this Apple app. Please use these information below to contact the Apple app developer.
Developed by:
Hooktheory LLC
Apple Apps Store
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hooktheory-i/id862112892
Website:
https://www.hooktheory.com/books

User Reviews

Overall, users praise Hooktheory I for high-quality, well-structured theory content and helpful visuals that aid learning and songwriting. However, persistent playback issues, questions about value, device compatibility problems, and the book-like format undermine the experience. The core material is valued, but reliability and hardware support need attention.
Pros
  • Clear, well-written music theory content with practical explanations.
  • Helpful visualizations and examples that make theory intuitive and easier to apply.
  • Strong value for both beginners and experienced musicians; supports songwriting and composition.
  • Organized structure and pacing that help users grasp concepts step by step.
  • Many users report the material helps music theory click and is engaging.
Cons
  • Frequent audio/video playback issues (sound not playing, videos not loading, requiring restarts).
  • Perceived high price for the amount of content; many feel it is overpriced.
  • Device compatibility and stability problems (no iPhone X support; occasional crashes when opening videos).
  • Feels more like a book than an interactive app, reducing the expected interactivity.
Recent reviews
The interactive charts showing toggleable chord tones is the most insanely helpful thing I’ve ever seen. If I could give any feedback on room for improvement, the yellow and green are pretty similar in color tone, so they’re difficult for me to distinguish with even my mild red-green colorblindness. I would recommend darkening the green a touch to bring it closer to like a Forrest green [to remove some of the yellow tones from the green]. This wouldn’t change anything in the content of the lessons, simply make it easier for us who have visual impairments to distinguish between the colors. Incredible information presented in a brilliant way. Thank yall for making this
by Sp*****, 2026-05-14

Purchasing the DLC does not unlock the full content. It spins on “Validating receipt” or some such. Contacting support will get them to unlock the content on their website, but the app remains unusable. This applies to both HookTheory I and II. The text itself is great, but the app should be pulled from the App Store until it is again functional.
by Ee*****, 2026-04-18
View all user reviews ›

Best Hooktheory I Alternatives

Here are some Apple apps that are similar to Hooktheory I: