The study of how music works, seeking to identify structures and patterns in music.
3
votes
1answer
214 views
How to become a DJ
I'd like to become a DJ, and to tell the truth, I also have made many tracks using Encore notation software. But, now that I want to bring it to reality, I don't know what instruments to purchase. A ...
1
vote
1answer
142 views
What note(s) are a diminished 3rd above D-flat?
In
What is the interval between Db and D#
some of the comments indicate that the interval Db->Eb can be considered as a diminished third. I would think that Fbb (double-flatted F) is a diminished ...
6
votes
3answers
637 views
How many (major and minor) keys are there? Why?
I am wondering about how many major and minor keys there are and why.
Here are some suggestions:
24 keys
One could argue that there should be one major and one relative minor key for each of the 12 ...
9
votes
8answers
1k views
What is the difference between a mode and a scale?
I can't seem to find a straight definition for both.
12
votes
4answers
333 views
Are the any great open questions in music theory?
In many sciences there a are a number open questions that are well known in the field, and for which a solid answer would gain the answerer much Prestige. For example, maths has many open questions, ...
14
votes
6answers
1k views
Is it possible to write a song without a key?
"This song is in F Major", "That song is in A Minor", "This song is in D Minor, but modulates to F Major in the middle", etc.
Can we say "This song has no key"? Are there songs that have/follow no ...
3
votes
3answers
372 views
What makes a song a “rock” song?
I mean, sometimes I'm not completely sure when a song is a "rock song" or when it is from another music genre or even a "something-rock" song, how do you recognize it?? is it some bass rithm? some ...
7
votes
5answers
512 views
tips for writing the drum notes to a song in a band
I play the drums in a band, and the song has already been written and everything that the vocalist, guitarist and bassist will play. The drums were left out and I have to write them to fit the song.
...
13
votes
5answers
333 views
Is there any way to improve composing?
Beside playing drums I'm toying with software to create music. The problem is when I need to advance further. I may have some good, let's say "riffs" (or pieces, or melodies, or ideas), and I'm pretty ...
12
votes
4answers
196 views
What are modes and how are they useful?
I'm a self-taught guitarist with zero to little experience in music theory. After marrying a violinist I found that there's a lot to music theory that I know tribally but don't understand the ...
16
votes
5answers
4k views
What does it mean to write a song in a certain key?
I have been searching for a while to try to correctly understand this.
What exactly does it mean if for example a song is written in C Major? Does it mean the song's notes cannot contain any sharps ...
9
votes
2answers
136 views
Do different modes have the same cadence structure?
In major and minor keys, the perfect cadence is V to I
Will this structure remain the same in a different mode?
I.e. E Phrygian Mode in the key of C (E F G A B C D), the tonic chord is the iii of ...
1
vote
2answers
101 views
Which note is consonance and which is dissonance
1) I did some reading saying 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th note are unstable note. where 7th note tends to move towards the tonic and it is the most unstable note. Is it true? When I play through the scale, i ...
3
votes
3answers
212 views
Musical Harmony: When to use more than three chords
I understand that I, IV, and V chords in both major and minor keys are common chords that make up a good progression. I understand that those 3 chords cover all the notes diatonic to the key that we ...
1
vote
1answer
94 views
How to come over nervousness while stage performance? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can I overcome the fear of performing in front of an audience?
I have played guitar several time on stage. But every time I start performing I feel a lot nervous. I ...
0
votes
4answers
132 views
Is music always supposed to be dependent on timing? [closed]
I wanna know, is music supposed to be dependent on timing, or what we more specifically call Beats Per Minute (BPM) or time signatures?
10
votes
5answers
855 views
33
votes
6answers
1k views
What's the difference between a G♭ and an F#?
I've heard it said that, whilst on most instruments these notes are played with the same fingerings/technique/etc there is a subtle difference.
This isn't specific to this particular note ...
2
votes
3answers
341 views
How to understand layering of multiple elements in composition (pop/jazz)
I'm trying to understand more about how to compose music and most importantly combine multiple instruments at the same time.
I'm quite capable of composing a bass-line, chord progression, or main ...
6
votes
2answers
190 views
What are the major differences in a composition of metal and progressive metal?
I am a bit confused about the differences in the composition of metal and progressive metal. Are there major differences in their orientation of sound, or it is just the difference of incorporating ...
5
votes
4answers
751 views
Why does the Dorian mode on C have two flats?
I'm studying scale modes and I just found on Wikipedia that the Dorian mode on C has two flats...
Why is this? Because the Dorian mode is just the major scale (Ionian) starting from the second ...
11
votes
5answers
1k views
Why are the white and black keys on the piano placed the way they are?
I am pretty convinced it is not just for historical reasons.
I have found a mathematically-sound explanation of the twelve-tone musical scale, thanks to this question. Does anyone know a similar, ...
4
votes
1answer
323 views
Using modes and static harmony
Edit: i know what modes are and how they are related to major scale..etc. question is about modal harmony and chord progression in modal harmony. not what is a mode and name of other modes..etc
What ...
-3
votes
3answers
97 views
Which Music Instrument Have The Widest Variety of Sounds and Effects? [closed]
Can anyone let me know which instrument can be used for large number of music effects and different varieties of sounds produced.
13
votes
1answer
207 views
Is this piece of renaissance music really in the locrian mode?
A fifteenth-century dance manual contains this piece of music:
which appears to be (uncharacteristically) in the locrian mode. Is it really, or am I mis-reading? Does anybody know of other music ...
6
votes
4answers
199 views
Lorem Ipsum in music
I would like to use some Lorem Ipsum like thing for synthesizer sound demonstration. To be specific, I want the following properties
Polyphonic (Some sounds like pads really needs a chord)
It should ...
1
vote
2answers
267 views
Determining modes in a minor Key
Speaking of Functional harmony; If a song is in key C, then we call the C major scale from E to E is a Phyrigan mode. Good, what if a song is in key Am, which is actually relative of C and also Am ...
8
votes
9answers
4k views
What chord is formed by the open strings of a guitar in standard (EADGBe) tuning?
Here is something that I have been wondering about for a while:
If you strum all six strings of a guitar in standard (EADGBe) tuning what chord would you play?
I think it would be some variety of a ...
10
votes
2answers
217 views
What is the name of the interval Db - D#?
I know that Db - Eb is a major second/diminished third. What is the interval Db - D# called (and why)?
EDIT: oops, Db - Eb is NOT a diminished third.
4
votes
1answer
168 views
What are these aspects of song structure called?
In songs, we often have very similar melodies and rhythm patterns being repeated over and over again. The following is an approximate melody of one stanza of Willy O' Winsbury as performed by ...
5
votes
3answers
160 views
Is solfege systems octave-agnostic?
I'm writing a somewhat comprehensive music theory programming library - Both to have the ability to make "intelligent" theory programs, and to refresh all the theory to myself.
I've however just met ...
0
votes
0answers
121 views
Song Analysis Foo Fighters - Arlandria [closed]
In the process of trying to improve my songwriting skills, I decided to do a little more "structured" transcription (see also Justin's explanation why this is helpful). I'm posting my progress here ...
14
votes
6answers
7k views
How to know what notes/chords go together while improvising?
This is 3 questions in one, so it might take a slightly involved answer, or some good links.
I'm a very good classical pianist, but I skipped theory entirely in my early days and learned to play well ...
3
votes
1answer
189 views
Is there such a thing as “pop music theory”?
There is large body of work describing the theory of Western classical music;
I'm unaware of the state of analysis of popular music forms.
Are the differences between, say post-50's American ...
5
votes
4answers
292 views
I need help understanding the concept of chord inversions.
This article from wikipedia, states:
In the first inversion of a C major triad the bass is E—the 3rd of the
triad—with the 5th and the root
stacked above it (the root now shifted
an octave ...
4
votes
1answer
106 views
Sixth and Minor Seventh inversions conflicts
For example consider C6 [C-E-G-A] and Am7 [A-C-E-G] which share the same notes in different order.
When we play [E-G-A-C] how is it called?(is this a inversion of C6 or Am7)
Generally, how are these ...
11
votes
5answers
8k views
What is the first scale one should learn on guitar
The title really sums it all up but I'll try expand it slightly. Lets say I'm learning guitar and would like to improve my guitar work. Which of the scales should I learn first and why?
26
votes
4answers
1k views
Purpose of double-sharps and double-flats?
In a few pieces of music I have read through, I have come across double-sharps and flats.
To my understanding, they are two semitones above/below the note indicated. What is, then, the point of ...
2
votes
3answers
315 views
International notation system
I would like to know if there is a special order for notes in English and/or an international notation system.
In french, our order is Do Ré Mi Fa Sol La Si which is equivalent to C D E F G A B, what ...
25
votes
4answers
3k views
What are some chord substitutions for a I-IV-V blues progression?
I was watching a video of SRV and one of the things that really stood out was the fact that he seemed to have a different iteration of the I-IV-V turnaround - and made it look/sound effortless. Any ...
-1
votes
2answers
143 views
Why is the note name “a” not on any important scale position? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why is C the base note of standard notation and keys?
The note names are derived from the alphabet, which starts with "a".
But why is our note "a" not on any important ...
18
votes
4answers
5k views
What is the relationship between “do re mi” and note letter names?
When the people sing the song, we use do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti (or si).... but some time I hear that the music people say A, B, C, or C flat..., what is their relationship? or are they two ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the difference between a riff and a lick?
That's it. I was wondering what is the difference between a riff and a lick.
The Wikipedia page for lick is somewhat confusing-- what do you think?
4
votes
4answers
332 views
Chord books and theory
I have some basic knowledge on chords but I was wondering what books on chords and theory were the best for expanding my musical knowledge? As in, intermediate to advanced level books ?
6
votes
2answers
258 views
Relative Major/Minor keys question
I've got a question, I thought perhaps one of you fine human beings could help me out.
I am under the impression that you can find the relative minor key of a major key by counting down 3 steps, ...
9
votes
3answers
389 views
Why do these progressions sound good?
I have always wondered why these progressions sound so exiting. I don't really know how the I-IV-things work, so I'll just write the chords. An explanation of what's really going on would be much ...
2
votes
3answers
133 views
What's “species counterpoint”? Are there any other types of counterpoint?
I believe the title says it all. On Wikipedia it shows the five species but I have the idea that there is another type of counterpoint not based on those species. Is that vague idea of mine correct?
I ...
3
votes
2answers
595 views
What's the difference between sixteenth century counterpoint and eighteenth century counterpoint?
What's the difference between sixteenth century counterpoint and eighteenth century counterpoint? Is sixteenth century counterpoint melody or modal based (as this answer suggests) and eighteenth ...
1
vote
1answer
130 views
Can modal counterpoint be studied without studying harmony? Where to start?
I have a background 1 year of harmony study and I'm now taking a non-western modal approach to music (trough Indian Classical Music, which is mainly monophonic and have no concept of harmony). I have ...
2
votes
2answers
290 views
Am I understanding time signatures correctly?
I think that the reason my compositions in DAW's have seemed off is because they've actually been changing time signatures throughout, and I haven't accounted for it.
I tested this by making this tab ...
