About us
Music, explained so you can use it.
Fermata is a free, growing guide to how music works. Every idea comes with three things on one page: a clear explanation, a tool to try it, and a chart that puts it in context.
01 — Why we exist
Music knowledge is everywhere. It is rarely in one place.
The explanation is on one site, the demonstration in a video somewhere else, and the tool to try it on a third. The same idea gets explained three times in three vocabularies, depending on whether the reader is a pianist, a guitarist or a producer.
We put the pieces together. You read what a scale is, see it on a keyboard, hear it, and find the chords that fit it without leaving the page. Then the same page points you to the next step.
02 — What you get
Three things on every page
A guide
A short answer first, then the idea in plain language. Standard terms are introduced as you meet them, and every page says what level it is written for.
A tool
Something to try straight away: a scale finder, a tempo and delay calculator, a metronome. Tools run in your browser and show the method behind each result.
A chart
Reference you can read at a glance, such as instrument ranges or key signatures. Each chart states its units and says when values are approximate.
03 — Principles
What we hold ourselves to
Free to read and use
Guides, tools and charts are open to everyone, with no account needed.
Honest labels
Every number shows its unit. Approximate values are marked as approximate, and tools state the tuning and naming conventions they use.
Respect for other people's music
We do not host lyrics, chord charts or recordings of protected songs. Examples are our own or in the public domain.
Guidance kept apart from ads
Paid links are labelled and never placed inside guides, tools or charts. They do not change what a page says.
Your inputs stay with you
Tools calculate in your browser. What you type, tap or play into them is not sent to us.
Education, not verdicts
We explain how music works. We do not judge your song, and our pages on rights are general information, not legal advice.
04 — How pages are made
From draft to published
Written
Each topic follows the same page structure, so you always know where to look.
Reviewed
A musician, teacher or engineer with experience in the subject checks it before it goes live.
Dated
Every page shows its level and the date it was last reviewed.
Corrected
Every page has a "report a problem" link. When something is wrong, we fix it.
05 — Scope
What we cover, and what we don't yet
Covered now
- Western music theory: notes, scales, chords, rhythm, keys
- Production basics: recording, EQ, tempo and timing
- Music rights as general concepts: who owns a song, how royalties work
Coming later
- Instruments, songwriting, practice and gear
- Musical traditions beyond Western tonal theory
- Country-specific detail on music rights
Not what we do
- Lyrics, tabs or chord charts of protected songs
- Advice on an individual contract or dispute
- Paid rankings of gear or services
06 — Accuracy standards
How we keep the numbers right
Equal temperament by default
All frequency and interval calculations use 12-tone equal temperament at A4 = 440 Hz unless a tool states otherwise.
Approximate ranges are labelled
Instrument range charts reflect the most common orchestral or studio conventions. Unusual extensions are marked with a tilde (~).
No unsourced claims
Every factual statement comes from a textbook, a standard reference, or direct measurement. Contested points are noted as contested.
Pages carry a review date
Each published page shows the month and year it was last reviewed so you can judge how current the information is.