Questions tagged [musicology]
The scholarly study of music, particularly different musical cultures and traditions
90
questions
2
votes
1answer
50 views
Relevant literature on Mathematical and neurological theories for functional harmony?
I’m interested in finding out what are the current proposed theories surrounding the expectation + release behaviour of functional harmony.
From what I reckon, functional harmony seems to be a human ...
1
vote
0answers
23 views
Early arrangements and rehearsals of the arrangements of the recordings of The Jordanaires
Are there any articles, books, thesis that analyze and give insight into the arrangements and rehearsals of the arrangements of the recordings of The Jordanaires from the late 40's and early 50's with ...
2
votes
2answers
170 views
What is it that makes music from different cultures/regions sound different?
I have always wondered what it is that makes music from different cultures/regions sound different from each other?
For example, if we compare Western music, Indian music, Chinese music they all sound ...
1
vote
3answers
71 views
How did Victorian Christmas carolers sing Christmas carols?
Do we have any idea of how Victorian Christmas carolers actually sang Christmas carols? What chords did they use, did they use ornaments etc, were there special ways that they ended the Christmas ...
2
votes
2answers
87 views
Did Nicolas Gombert compose a clean change of note or slides as endings in his motets?
A member of the Facebook group Barbershop Harmony said that in live performances of Gombert motets, the Bass will randomly drop an octave on the last chord, within one syllable, whilst the other ...
2
votes
1answer
53 views
Is this a Passacaglia?
This piece is in triple-meter and has a clear cadential-formula. Is it fair to call it a passacaglia despite no bass-ostinato?
Or is it a Chaconne? I am not clear on the difference except one is from ...
1
vote
2answers
97 views
Spatial perception of pitch and playing an instrument: Any studies about it?
A keyboardist plays left to right (lower to higher notes). A violinist, the higher the notes, the fingers go nearer the body. A Double-bassist, the higher the notes, the fingers go towards the floor. ...
2
votes
1answer
124 views
What makes this song sound so middle eastern?
What makes this song to feel so middle eastern? I mean harmonically and theoretical context. Because as I see live here all performed instruments are western but still it feels so oriental.
Also here ...
1
vote
1answer
79 views
Cuban Standards
I know that some of cuban songs are listed in Jazz standards but are there any list of cuban standars that one should follow to learn harmonics and theory about boleros and other genres affiliated to ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the word to describe the aspect of a chord being either minor or major?
I am looking for the noun that is the thing that is either major or minor in respect to a chord such as a triad. I suppose it could also be an adjective. It would be 'x' in the following question: "...
29
votes
10answers
4k views
If someone can sing a melody, why can they not also recognize the intervals within that melody?
Surely everyone who struggles with relative pitch already has in-built relative pitch, so why is it so hard to actually recognise intervals?
What I mean is from a child I (and most other people I ...
2
votes
1answer
41 views
How to add counts (by 8) to music [closed]
I am a salsa instructor and during this quarantine, I am teaching students to dance at their homes via sending them instruction videos, which I make on my own with counts and on music as well.
One ...
2
votes
2answers
59 views
Why is the numbering scheme of the Telemann-Werke-Verzeichnis (TWV) not adopted more universally?
Telemann's works are numbered first according to genre, then, where applicable, by key (with minor keys in lowercase and major keys in uppercase), and finally (if possible) chronologically or else at ...
1
vote
2answers
57 views
Why are western double-reed instruments smoother than double-reed instruments outside Europe?
When one thinks of the timbre of double reed instruments, we tend to divide them as two groups:
Oboe, English horn, bassoon. (Western instruments.) The sound is very smooth and pure.
Other double-...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
Associating modulations with emotions
I once read a book (pdf) from imslp or forgottenbooks that was about composition (or harmony), and it had a list of every possible modulation and its emotional association. For example, Up a perfect ...
0
votes
5answers
265 views
When to use different type of chords in composition?
I want to know when to use (i.e., situation and feel) different type of chords listed below. Could you please help me to know that?
Major - Bright - Happy Feeling,
Minor - Dull - Sad feeling,
...
1
vote
2answers
121 views
Was there a conscious decision of medieval composers to compose within a harmonic framework?
How much were medieval composers (such as Hildegard von Bingen) aware of modal approach when they composed and "engineered" their pieces?
Now, this question is almost stupid. They didn't compose ...
-2
votes
1answer
63 views
Music theory-Ornaments-TURN [closed]
Which of the given options would be correct for the turn ornament shown in the piece of music.
4
votes
2answers
161 views
“Contemporary Christian Music” but for other religions?
Contemporary Christian music (or CCM -- and occasionally "inspirational music") is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith.
Do ...
-1
votes
3answers
175 views
Why is Eastern Music a Mode of Western Music?
Western music (to me at least) is best captured in the major scale. And Phrygian, which is the 3rd mode of the major scale can be used to get a more Eastern sound (for example Jefferson Airplane/White ...
2
votes
2answers
166 views
English translation of Brahms' essay: “Octaven und Quinten”?
I am now doing some research on Brahm's essay, Octaven u. Quinten. I cannot read German, so I cannot do anything with the original manuscript. I have read some secondary sources about this essay, but ...
3
votes
1answer
167 views
Stability of chords
I wish to understand the connection of music theory to the physics world, or to waves.
In this context, I quite understand notion of dominant chords as containing tritone, which is dissonant. What I ...
2
votes
0answers
71 views
What are good resources for composing music in the style of sea shanties? [closed]
I've not been able to find any literature on the topic so far. If anyone could point me in the direction of some good books or other, that would be great.
18
votes
3answers
777 views
Music Theory: Facts or Hierarchy of Opinions? [closed]
To get right to the point, what I want to know is: what makes a claim acceptable in the world of music theory?
From my understanding, music theory has very little to do with any "natural law" or ...
3
votes
3answers
4k views
Is it possible to transpose samples (in cents) from minor to major?
I'd like to transpose a sample (in cents) from G Minor to C Major.
How do I do that, or is it even possible?
2
votes
1answer
532 views
How is the human voice classified?
Considering the vocal cords can be a membranophone or considering the air column can be an aerophone.
or do we need another classification?
6
votes
2answers
829 views
Are there any thematic similarities between Shostakovichs' Symphony 5th and Beethovens' 7th symphony? [closed]
Taking a look at the opening bars of Shostakovichs' Symphony 5th and Beethovens' 7th symphony 4th movement (bar 136 onwards) see below they sound kind of similar.
Somebody suggested (Radio 3 I think)...
0
votes
2answers
228 views
What order should I learn music theory? [closed]
i am teaching myself music theory to help get ahead in the AP class im taking next year. what order should i go about learning each concept? i am already familiar with what you would know after 7 ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
Music for Piano, Frangis Ali-Sade
What should I know about the music tradition behind Music for Piano, I believe mugham? From what I gather, the notation is more of you'd call a guideline. I have the 1998 Musikverlag Hans Sikorski ...
3
votes
1answer
53 views
Can someone help me figure out this music theory KEY finding question
Messing around Sunday I came up with a song that has the following Chord Progression. I'm just learning music theory and am having trouble on identifying the key.
The chord progression is:
C7 D7 F7 ...
1
vote
0answers
54 views
Beatles' usage of pronouns [closed]
I was wondering how did the Beatles' usage of pronouns influence the rock genre, and music in general? Of course, famous musicians such as Bruce Springsteen were inspired by their music, but did the ...
9
votes
1answer
5k views
Carnatic Vs Western 12 Note system
I was trying to learn the chromatic scale and associate it with carnatic equivalents (I know equal temperment is not the way with indian music, but it interest me to relate and learn it to certain ...
1
vote
0answers
77 views
Who particpated In formal musical grading education in England? [closed]
England has produced some very successful musicians in the popular music field in the past five decades. Elton John, The Beatles, The Stones, The Moody Blues, and countless others. But in the U.S. we ...
0
votes
1answer
229 views
What is the real meaning of “dominant” in music? [duplicate]
Please answer with a simple explanation and example.
Why is every 5th tone from tonic called "dominant"?
0
votes
2answers
92 views
Where do I get answers to my musical “Why” questions, i.e. are there any “Why” books out there? [closed]
I have been studying music theory for some time now and I have become genuinely interested in the genealogy of music theory. I keep asking why when I study even the most basic of theories. For example,...
0
votes
1answer
197 views
Any studies on ear training, or musicality out there
Are there any established and scientifically backed-up facts about what is possible, and what time it takes for ear training? Any studies out there that look at these questions? Like letting people ...
2
votes
1answer
84 views
conterpoint and melodic learning or other ways?
If I want to learn about melodic for composition, I have to learn counterpoint, that 's right? Or it has other ways or great books for learning about, please anyone help me I lost a lot of time for ...
1
vote
3answers
282 views
Is ear training for piano is 100% sufficient for ear training flute?
If a person ear trains pitches of piano will he be automatically able to understand the pitches of flute or should he do some extra ear train for flute ? For example can we say if a person ear trains ...
3
votes
2answers
401 views
Prevailing theories about discovery of harmonic intervals
Are there any prevailing theories for how Paleolithic man discovered and shared knowledge about harmonic intervals?
EDIT: I'm not referring to the mathematical characterization of the overtone ...
5
votes
1answer
447 views
Meaning of Capitalization on The Notation of Gregorian Psalm Tone Endings
As you know, most Gregorian Psalm Tones have alternative endings. For example, Tone I has 10 possible endings.
The endings are denoted by a letter and a number. I understand (correct me if I am ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
Live AR in music performance
What does it mean by Live AR in music performance? Sometimes, they also put it as Live AR mic open in the setlist/cue sheet of the live music performance/concert.
2
votes
1answer
399 views
Lili Boulanger: Prelude in D-flat major: manuscript interpretation
I've found two type-settings of the prelude:
One via IMSLP
One via youtube
The original manuscript/facsimile is also available via IMSLP.
I'm not sure if I can trust either typeset versions. While ...
1
vote
3answers
157 views
Dominant seventh
I just watched a video about music theory and the guy in the video sounded as if there is a difference between
AMaj7 which would A C# E G
And something he called an "A major dominant seven"
Is ...
15
votes
3answers
3k views
Why did Beethoven include “in the Lydian Mode” in the title of String Quartet, Op.132 - 3?
Beethoven himself gave a title to String Quartet No.15 in A minor, Op.132 - 3:
A Convalescent's Holy Song of Thanksgiving to the Divinity, in the
Lydian Mode
From the language and context, and ...
1
vote
3answers
467 views
Is Major/Minor tonality the right term for this
When a song has both a major and a minor feel at the same time. I'm not talking about major sounding minor song or vice versa. I'm talking about a song that isn't strictly one or the other.
Some ...
0
votes
3answers
143 views
Is there a music term for this
The notes that a musician or singer stresses and emphasises in a melody. The contouring they use. Their phrasing of the melody.
Essentially the way they articulate the melody. I call that voicing - I'...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
The Basso Continuo and the Jazz Rhythm Section
I've seen many musicologists compare the Basso Continuo of the Baroque Era to the Jazz Rhythm Section, an analogy which I think is valid and understandable. Here's one reference (of many) that I ...
2
votes
1answer
140 views
chords, chord theory, and bass lines
Can someone please explain how chords work within a song? My previous post was on chord progressions and how to hear and listen for them in a song. More people than Not have told me to listen ...
1
vote
1answer
254 views
Vocals in music
Can someone please elaborate on the concept of singing on pitch and also is there a such thing as rapping on pitch?
0
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2answers
267 views
Singing On Pitch?
I understand the concept of singing on pitch note for note when practicing scales but when applying this to an actual song I get lost. Take this song for example from (0:25-1:38)
...
