The study of how music works, seeking to identify structures and patterns in music.
2
votes
3answers
321 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 RĂ© 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
144 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
6k 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
2k 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
344 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
262 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
409 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 ...
3
votes
3answers
140 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
662 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
135 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
296 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
838 views
What are the characteristics of Negro Spiritual vocal arrangements?
I've tried several times to write vocal arragnements that are in the style of Negro Spiritual music.
Here's an example of the style I'm referring to.
Typically, I use simple SATB style arrangements, ...
1
vote
1answer
187 views
Learning for entry level exam for music school
On Sunday I am going to take a entry level exam in music theory. They didn't give me any sample exam or references to where can I learn this stuff. All I have is a list of what will be in the exam ...
14
votes
7answers
426 views
Where should I go to learn about non-Western scales (particularly Turkish & Greek)
Apart from Turkey and Greece, I mean.
I'm looking for fairly abstract musicological and comparative descriptions, not "how to play"-style information. Particularly interested in departures from the ...
1
vote
2answers
452 views
How to develop musicianship skills?
There are a lot of books that teach music theory, but are there any books that teach how to develop musicianship? Such as how to acquire it?
I'm reading "Revisiting Music Theory", the author said the ...
2
votes
1answer
182 views
What is the frequency interval length of k semi-tones? (k = 1…11)
Go up 12 semi-tones from frequency f on a guitar, and the frequency interval difference in terms of f is f = 2f - f. What is the formula for the intermediate 11 non-trivial intervals? So for k=2, ...
13
votes
4answers
409 views
Is it possible to create the illusion of a sub-harmonic?
The way I understand it, a normal plucked tone consists of a great many overtones in addition to the base tone. A pinched harmonic, however, shifts the base tone higher into the overtone series by ...
3
votes
3answers
221 views
Why did Lou Reed make Metal Machine Music?
For background, it's a record that was made "without musical instruments" by rigging up ring-modulators and envelope filters and tone generators to create a sort of living shape of feedback.
But ...
9
votes
1answer
209 views
Why is Italian the standard for expressive markings in music?
I was reading through the music for Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy a few days ago and I realized that I am often surprised when I see expressive markings (dynamics, tempo, accents and the like) that ...
2
votes
4answers
202 views
Can the the same note be trilled two different ways?
C# and Db are one and the same, as shown in the first measure of the example. If you trill the two, as seen in the second measure, you'd expect the two trills to be the same. However, a trill is ...
6
votes
3answers
336 views
How do you compose tuplets against straight notes?
I would like to know how to compose tuplets of odd numbers against even numbers on the piano (ie. 3 against 2). How would you go around composing something like this? I have been composing for some ...
1
vote
2answers
241 views
Notating Augmented Chords
When writing an Augmented chord, which inversion of the chord should I use?
The problem came up while I was composing (piano). I came to an augmented chord and couldn't think of which version to use ...
9
votes
2answers
802 views
Can an accidental carry over to the next measure?
I have been practicing this piece (The Stars and Stripes Forever) for a while. On the first note of the second measure of the second line, there is a natural sign. I have always understood accidentals ...
5
votes
3answers
309 views
“slash” chords, e.g. B/F♯ - are these only for inversions, or can any note be the bass note?
I'm trying to work out whether it is technically correct to have a "slash" chord where the bass note is not one of the notes in the chord.
I thought the main reason for slash chords is to show which ...
8
votes
2answers
440 views
What makes african blues so distinctive?
When you listen to the music by Ali Farka Toure, Rokia Traore, Afel Bocoum and other african blues artists you can recognize it in a second.
What is it what makes the african blues so distinctive?
Is ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
How do classical composers write music?
I am starting to learn about music theory and today it hit me how do classical composers such as Mozart and Beethoven are able to write music for instruments they don't play, such as (for example ...
2
votes
3answers
202 views
What is the most classically correct way to play this fast run?
I am trying to figure out the best way to play the first run in Francesco Tarrega's Caprice Arabe. This run is meant to be played really really really fast.
First way:
p i p i ...
7
votes
3answers
824 views
What defines a Tango?
Is there something about a song that can be used to classify it as "a Tango"? There's different Tango styles (Finnish Tango music, for instance, is different from Argentinian) and there seem to be ...
4
votes
2answers
195 views
Collective word for sharps and flats in the key signature
On a mailing list I'm subscribed to, someone recently asked what the collective name was in English for the sharps and flats you find in the key signature. Apparently, the closest translation from ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
Do all chords in a progression usually fit within a scale
I am wondering if when writing a chord progression, all the notes fit within a single scale.
If not, what is the logic behind chord progressions?
6
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the most common ways to “decorate” a melody?
Yes, I know, there are way too many possibilities and it depends on the style of the music... I would be happy with an incomplete list for beginners (like me). Here is what I have so far:
...
13
votes
7answers
2k views
What is the “theory” behind “odd time signatures”?
There are a number of bands, Genesis, The Police, Crack the Sky, Gentle Giant, that have all incorporated unusual time signatures as their core sound - some entire "pop"songs, "Ordinary World - Duran ...
1
vote
1answer
288 views
tanpura - 7 notes?
I overheard that indian music disputes the notion that 7 notes are equally divided. Hence, people should use tanpura (instead of harmonium or piano) to practice with. I googled about it, and I read ...
3
votes
1answer
123 views
Is there an amp power formula?
I'm looking to buy a new amp for my keyboards, and I was wondering if there's a formula I can use to help me calculate some of the objective specs I should look for. Something along the lines of: I ...
9
votes
2answers
501 views
What are the shared fundamental components of Baroque and Minimalist music that make them sound similar?
Baroque and minimalist music are two of my favorite genres. In particular, I like the repetitive note sequences with variations. J.-S. Bach's Goldberg Variations and Phillip Glass's Naqoyqatsi are ...
8
votes
2answers
855 views
What time signatures are used in flamenco and related styles?
Recently I've been trying to get some flamenco spirit into my playing. I've already experimented with some 'gypsy' scales and it feels good ... but I've also realized that part of the secret is in ...
2
votes
2answers
165 views
is there a modulation in boogie-woogie?
Consider the standard boogie-woogie bass such as this one. The C, F and G phrases are each in its own mixolydian. Is that a modulation from C to F and G?
If no, why?
9
votes
2answers
340 views
What is an “open tuning”?
I know that Keith Richards has been known to use open tunings on some songs, but what is an open tuning exactly and when/why would you use it?
33
votes
11answers
793 views
I need help getting out of my scalar rut.
I'm a well versed and experienced guitarist. I have a decent sense for rhythm and melody, but I have a VERY hard time with soloing. I know you've heard it all before.. I'm one of those guys that got ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
How do you compose using the chromatic scale?
Writting a piece of music using the chromatic scale would be interesting, but I can't think of a way to start it? What kind of structure would a piece have? Is it all subjective and up to the composer ...
3
votes
2answers
124 views
How could I create a musical vocabulary based on a group of similar classical pieces?
Sometimes I'll be working on a group of pieces and realize that I'd like to experiment with abstracting some of the musical ideas (rhythms, harmonies, etc) into a musical vocabulary that I could use ...
6
votes
3answers
884 views
Most important musical concepts for writing songs on acoustic guitar
I want to be able to write catchy/"cool sounding" guitar parts for songs. I am currently studying music theory extensively. I am just wondering, are there any guitar-specific musical concepts that I ...
5
votes
1answer
176 views
What are the names of these scales? [closed]
I noticed recently that quite a few Jewish songs (e.g. Havah Nagila) tended to use certain scales. I thought they were normal minor scales, but then I played them on the piano and noticed that the ...
9
votes
4answers
381 views
Theory of improvisation
I am looking for improvisation theory ressources. I mainly focus on free jazz and improvised music but I am also interested in dance, drama and pictural improvisation.
I want to know if a ...
8
votes
7answers
336 views
Is looking for chord after having the melody unusual?
Most people I encounter seem to have the opinion that the definitive way is to first have the chords and then "mess around" with the harmony notes until one founds a desirable succession of notes, ...
9
votes
1answer
154 views
Help me understand this progression
A friend showed me this progression:
G7, F#m7b5, B7, Em7, A7, Dm7, G7, CMaj7, Cm7, Bm7, Bdim7, Am7, Ab7, Bm7, Bb7, Am7, Ab7
For the most part, I understand that at its heart it is built on a I vi ii ...
15
votes
3answers
494 views
How do you remember your music and how do I improve in this regard?
Okay, let me start with my own story. I jumped straight into playing classical pieces on the piano without much in the way of formal musical education. By now I know how chords are built (but it takes ...
1
vote
2answers
384 views
Why piano keys are not integer factors of octave notes?
In one of the answers of this question, some pianos with 44, 61, 76, and 88 keys are introduced. I just don't get it. Why notes are not following any formula? I mean, a piano with 63 keys means that ...
10
votes
4answers
622 views
With sheet music, how do you determine whether the song is in the major key or the minor key?
For example, if the key signature on the left doesn't have any sharps or flats then it could theoretically be in either the C Major scale or the A Minor scale. How do you determine which one?
