The study of how music works, seeking to identify structures and patterns in music.
6
votes
9answers
399 views
Where do musicians draw their melodies from?
It has been in my head for so long.
I am a visual artist, animator, I do motion graphics, 3D artwork and most of my work is done visually.
I am puzzled by this question.
Visual artists, they draw ...
3
votes
4answers
83 views
“I-vi” in Major or “III-i” in Minor?
There are some progressions that seem to move back and forth between a major key and its relative minor, like the "I-vi" progression (C, Am for example, two measures each.)
Most people would consider ...
6
votes
4answers
130 views
How to recreate a sound on a synth
Is is possible to recreate any sound you hear in a synth? Think of it like ear training, but with a synth. Being able to deconstruct a sound with your ear, know what type of waveform is being used, ...
4
votes
4answers
200 views
Does playing in scale mean only using notes from that scale?
Many melodies contain notes that are not from scale they are composed in. For example, "Stairway Heaven" solo contains an A minor pentatonic scale plus an additional F note. I've read that this is not ...
5
votes
5answers
320 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
90 views
What are the uses of Circle of Fifths? [closed]
I heard the "circle of fifths" can help a lot with chord progressions, the number of sharps in a scale, and more.
Please find questions below for which I am expecting answers:
Can we apply circle ...
16
votes
6answers
5k 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 ...
3
votes
3answers
422 views
recognizing the motif
I encounter the term motif in composition books, and still have no idea what a motif is. Many sources (including some dictionaries) try to define it as "prominent sequence of notes" or "basic theme of ...
5
votes
1answer
63 views
Raised leading tones in Phrygian mode counterpoint
In most cases the penultimate note of the counterpoint will be the
leading tone, which must be raised in minor to establish a sense of
tonality. But why is the leading tone in the Phrygian mode ...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Diatonic Function of Accidentals in Counterpoint
Why is it in counterpoint that the fourth degree of natural mode "F"
lowered to "Bb" instead of remaining as "B"?
Why isn't the fourth degree lowered for other modes? Shouldn't the "B"
...
1
vote
1answer
20 views
Voice-crossing in First Species Counterpoint
In two-part counterpoint, is it okay for the counterpoint and cantus firmus voices to cross?
Transferred from: Few Questions on Counterpoint in the Tradition of Johan Fux
1
vote
1answer
38 views
Meaning of “Battuta” in Counterpoint
What is Battuta and does it only apply to voice leading by
contrary motion?
For example, in treble clef, if going from "E-G" (major-tenth - that
is, the "E" is in the bass and the "G" is ...
13
votes
4answers
2k views
How to play chords like G/B
I heard that if there is a chord written like x/y then that means an x chord with y in the bass. This can be played by playing x normally, but then playing the y note on the 6th string, correct?
Then ...
7
votes
7answers
2k views
What is the full list of possible chord names? Are there chords that don't have a name in chord theory?
My chord book covers 35 different chord types. When I look on the web or in other tools, all the same types of chords come up.
But I don't think this is the "full" set of possible chords. I'm not ...
16
votes
7answers
399 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 ...
2
votes
3answers
105 views
Same note in two staves [duplicate]
I have only just started to learn (on my own) to read music and play the piano at the grand old age of 64! Please can someone tell me how to play the same note on two staves? I keep being asked to ...
1
vote
1answer
48 views
Can sequences in music be modified rhythmically?
Can a sequence still be considered a sequence if the rhythm is changed?
For example:
Beethoven's Piano Sonata Op.13, II, in the left hand:
The phrase beginning on the upbeat of 1 in the 3rd ...
4
votes
2answers
124 views
Accidentals in First Species Counterpoint
On page 39 of Alfred Mann's translation of The Study of Counterpoint there is a passage concerning justification of using accidentals in first species counterpoint.
Here is the passage:
Aloys: ...
6
votes
7answers
1k views
Why is the highest frequency on a piano 4186 Hertz?
The human hearing range is between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. The lowest frequency on a piano is 27.5 Hz, which is almost at the start of the human hearing range. However, the highest frequency on a piano ...
2
votes
1answer
90 views
Chordal Analysis of Christian Petzold's Minuet in G (formerly attributed to J.S. Bach)
The piece I am asking about is the well-known minuet that was originally attributed to J.S. Bach but has since been re-attributed to lesser-known composer, Christian Petzold.
My question concerns ...
3
votes
1answer
69 views
Beginning counterpoint above or below a cantus firmus
I have more questions on the Study of Counterpoint:
Must the cantus firmus always start on the tonic?
If the cantus firmus is in the bass then can the counterpoint start with something other than a ...
10
votes
2answers
818 views
Is there any real difference between Counterpoint and Polyphony?
From what I understand, they both kind of refer to the same thing. Why the need for 2 terms?
14
votes
8answers
1k views
How is counterpoint different from harmony?
Harmony is a kind of second sound you hear. Counterpoint is also the second sound you hear. Aside from technical differentiation, how can you by ear differentiate these two concepts. I mean, is it ...
1
vote
2answers
73 views
Harmonizing melody exercise question with specific parameters
I'm reading the book Harmony for the computer musician and there's an exercise where you need to harmonize 3 notes of a melody in D major, parameters are:
you must use the same note length as the ...
7
votes
3answers
322 views
Voice leading confusion
I perfectly understand the theory of voice leading when explained in most theory books about moving voices between chords in the shortest possible manner to give a smooth connection between chords.
...
1
vote
1answer
124 views
Figuring out the difference between major and relative minor scales?
I always seem have difficulty determining whether a song is in a major scale, or the relative minor. (the 3rd note back into it, but minor)
Lets use the Pokemon theme song for example. As I ...
5
votes
4answers
229 views
Comfortable notes in a key
I've been playing guitar for some time, and often when i do improvisation exercises, I hit notes which sound too tense to finish a run/lick/riff on. Kind of like having a sentence which no full stop.
...
17
votes
7answers
867 views
Is there a way to measure the consonance or dissonance of a chord?
I know that if I played C and B together they would be very dissonant compared to if I played a G or C one octave up. Is there a quantitative way to describe that sort dissonance?
Edit: I understand ...
-1
votes
0answers
21 views
What mixing console for playing dub? [closed]
I would like to know how to choose the best mixing console to play dub/roots ?
How many channels do I need ? How can I apply effects on my instruments ? Etc..
Thank you.
11
votes
2answers
3k views
What's the difference between “modal music” and “tonal music”?
As the title says, what's the difference between "modal music" and "tonal music"? Is there also any other classification besides "modal music" and "tonal music"?
13
votes
5answers
384 views
The major scale - why and how?
background: I am an amateur guitarist. I was trained in Indian classical music as a kid. Most of what I know in music theory is from books or Google. So please feel free to correct me or tell me if ...
8
votes
4answers
206 views
Polymeter vs Polyrhythm
What is the difference between a polymeter and a polyrhythm? Do these words mean anything different for different instruments?
PS: I'm a drummer.
2
votes
2answers
129 views
how does the bluegrass major chord built off of the flat 7 “work”?
It's in almost every bluegrass song, but I've never seen an exposition of the theory behind the major chord (minor may also be used, but I don't think I've seen it) built off of the flat 7th of the ...
9
votes
6answers
332 views
Can a chord contain both the C and C♯ notes? (as opposed to containing C and D♭ notes)
Can a chord contain both the C and C♯ notes? Or do you always have to use D♭ rather than C♯ in a chord that already contains the note C?
I'm guessing the answer is no, both C and C♯ should not be ...
2
votes
2answers
548 views
What is a good solo to learn in the major scale?
I am starting to play / improvise in the major scale and would like to learn some guitar solos that are good examples of this scale so that I see how other people use it. What are some famous solos in ...
1
vote
2answers
58 views
What is imitation between two voices on an eighth note upbeat figure?
On the Wikipedia page on BWV 578, a technique devised by Corelli is mentioned.
The fugue's four-and-a-half measure subject is one of Bach's most recognizable tunes. The fugue is in four voices. ...
7
votes
4answers
245 views
Playing Guitar Tabs on Piano?
I was wondering if anyone could possibly explain how I could somehow translate a guitar tab into notes on piano. Is there some sort of algorithm I can apply?
ex:
...
3
votes
2answers
74 views
What do I need to know about drums as an electric metal guitar player
My questions are as follows ...
As A guitarist (Mostly electric with heavy distortion) what minimum knowledge of drums do I need to be able to create or chose drums beats that suits the song I am ...
2
votes
4answers
211 views
Introduction to jazz theory
I have developed an appreciation of jazz (Coltrane, Ayler, Sanders, etc.). I have no musical education though. I am therefore looking for some sort of lectures or texts for a better (or any at all) ...
4
votes
1answer
63 views
How was the ordering of Allen Forte's list of prime forms determined?
I'm familiar with how "prime forms" are determined from a pitch class set using the Forte (or Rahn) systems. A good list is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forte_number
However I am puzzled by how ...
4
votes
2answers
189 views
What do you call plucking the violin strings with the finger, rather than using the bow?
I was attempting to learn a bit about violin sheet music, and then I wondered if the act of producing sound with the finger or the fingernail had a written notation.
I had a hard time finding a video ...
3
votes
2answers
771 views
son vs. rumba clave and bass line
The answer to Latin jazz: anticipated chord change on last beat provided by Ulf Åkerstedt raises another question: I have written a son bass line, and I realize I have a rumba clave on the drum set. ...
13
votes
4answers
483 views
Algorithms for music composition
I'm a beginner in music but I also like to fool around with simple computer programs . So I found a little python library to generate MIDI files . So what I do now is that I have a few rhythm ...
48
votes
7answers
2k views
Why is the guitar tuned like it is?
Why is there that funny tuning kink between the G and B string on a guitar in standard tuning? I.e., the (musical) gap between the rest of the adjoining strings is 5 frets (or a perfect fourth), but ...
-2
votes
1answer
71 views
What is this song? [closed]
I've been hearing this song everywhere, but cannot identify it. It's the first few seconds of this video:
...
10
votes
1answer
196 views
What are some good/interesting ways to exit a circle of fifths section?
Circle of 5ths is in tons of chord progressions, sounds nice and 'easy', etc. But if you keep going on it the song can sound unreasonably predictable.
What are some good ways to use a little bit of ...
10
votes
3answers
452 views
Most common jazz theory method book
What is the most common text book for learning jazz music theory?
I have a strong background in classical music theory and would like to supplement it. I particularly am looking for something for ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
What is a good guitar solo to learn in the minor scale?
I am starting to play and improvise in the minor scale, and I would like to learn some guitar solos that are good examples of this scale so that I see how other people use it. What are some famous ...
0
votes
0answers
49 views
Are there any consecutive 5th/octave/unison in my harmony? [closed]
I'm doing harmony exercises with a book and I was wondering if anyone could double check if I have any consecutive 5th, octave or unison in there. Also any other pointers to improve the harmony would ...
0
votes
1answer
235 views
A good source to learn the theory of chords in an accordion
I have been learning to play accordion for a few months and I can play 15-20 songs with their chords now. I know the physics behind the musical notes (such as I can understand what one implies by ...
