13
votes
Accepted
Is it really necessary to learn the Number System in Music?
As a bassist who has played predominantly jazz for decades I can say understanding and being comfortable with the number system is necessary if you want to progress to be an advanced player. Here are ...
- 18k
12
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Accepted
Difference between Edim7 and Gdim7
The chord finder tool is wrong
The chord in the Bach in C#dim7. This is because the chord in m. 13 is D minor, and the primary function of C#dim7 is to lead into a D chord (major or minor). This is ...
- 56.6k
7
votes
Explain to a pop pianist: GECE to GC#A#C# alberti bass transition in K.545 2nd movt
This is a case where it's probably helpful to think of the passage melodically rather than harmonically.
Consider each note in the Alberti bass as a separate voice in a melodic line. In that case, ...
- 56.6k
6
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Is it really necessary to learn the Number System in Music?
Necessary, no, but the number system has become the de facto common language for jazz players. It's convenient, because it describes sounds regardless of the key. Naming the chords/notes themselves is ...
- 56.6k
6
votes
Accepted
Scale with major, minor, diminshed and augmented chords in it
The harmonic minor scale has all four.
Major chords built on 5 and b6
Minor chords built on 1 and 4
Diminished chords built on 2 and 7
Augmented chord built on b3
The melodic minor ascending scale.
...
- 56.6k
5
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Explain to a pop pianist: GECE to GC#A#C# alberti bass transition in K.545 2nd movt
Yes, 'adding leading notes' is a good way of thinking about it. Don't worry about excusing those notes by 'borrowing' or 'modal mixtures'. There's not even much point in trying to stick a chord-name ...
- 78.5k
3
votes
Accepted
Writing Key Signatures for Polytonality/Frequent Key Modulation
Polytonality with a single key signature
In a truly polytonal piece — meaning a piece in two or more keys simultaneously — it's really the composer's choice. For example, in George Gershwin's "...
- 56.6k
3
votes
Accepted
What is the music theoretical basis for this chord transition?
Your chord is a combination of an A/C# and a Dm chord. I wouldn't give it a name. The composer wants the whole passage to sound like it continues to hammer out Dm chords, but they also want the ...
- 389
3
votes
Accepted
In David Fuentes FOM workbook 1.3, what does the arrow next to the V mean?, And the T?
The arrow is indicating that the chord is a secondary dominant: "five of five". In other words, the F# major chord in m. 4 is the V chord of b minor, and the preceding chord, with the arrow, ...
- 56.6k
2
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Explain to a pop pianist: GECE to GC#A#C# alberti bass transition in K.545 2nd movt
You're focusing on that one bar, not on where it's going. If Mozart had followed that one bar with G-A-C (left hand), then the chromatic passing notes would have been written G-Bb-Db.
In other words: ...
- 389
2
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Difference between Edim7 and Gdim7
There are only 3 possible diminished seventh chords in 12-tone naming. The best way to look at things is to note the way the chord progresses. The 4th stacked minor third lands on the octave of the ...
- 23.1k
2
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What is the music theoretical basis for this chord transition?
It's Dm A/C# Dm7/C with the F5 held during the change through A/C#.
With C# and E in the outer voices and an A included it has all the tones and movement of Dm: i V6, and I think that progression ...
- 49.4k
2
votes
How do I identify chord scales? (Chord scale theory)
I haven't had to study the chord scale theory (for which I am very greatful), but this is how I understand that the concept has to be, in order to make any sense.
You don't have to know a proper name ...
- 24.3k
2
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How do I identify chord scales? (Chord scale theory)
The idea behind chord-scales is that given a chord there is a scale that contains the chord tones, plus pitches that fill in the "gaps" between chord tones.
Given a Cmaj chord, a C major ...
- 56.6k
2
votes
Writing Key Signatures for Polytonality/Frequent Key Modulation
Frequent Key Modulation
Whether you use one key signature or many key signatures for a passage that frequently changes keys often depends on genre. I've read at least one Music Stack Exchange answer ...
- 11.6k
1
vote
How do I identify chord scales? (Chord scale theory)
The other answers have captured the essence of the process very well, so I'll try not to repeat. In the earlier stages you are more likely come come across chords such as you have asked about and they ...
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1
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Is it really necessary to learn the Number System in Music?
You use the numbering for two main reasons:
To show the relative relationship of chords, because those relationships function the same regardless of what key you are in. ii V I is basically doing the ...
- 49.4k
1
vote
Is it really necessary to learn the Number System in Music?
I play bass in worship team of our church for several years. I have to say it is necessary.
I was learning modern piano when I was 8, it was a quick lesson that teach you only in number system, no ...
- 11
1
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Is it really necessary to learn the Number System in Music?
It's very useful to know, and if you have good relative pitch, it's a no-brainer - it's just understanding how to verbalize and write down the relationships between pitches that you already understand....
- 111
1
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Is it really necessary to learn the Number System in Music?
From a jazz perspective - although a lot of pop musos benefit from it - it just makes life a lot more simple. You probably are half way there already. Knowing I (1), IV (4) and V (5) of most keys.
...
- 174k
1
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Difference between Edim7 and Gdim7
There are four different names for diminished seventh chords - each reflecting a root. Since diminished seventh chords are 'symmetrical', in that each note contained within is three semitones away ...
- 174k
1
vote
How do you write a chord that has add#9, add-9 at the same time?
You ask what the notes are. F (root), A (3rd), C♯(aug5), G♯ (♯9) and G♭ (♭9).
- 174k
1
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What is the music theoretical basis for this chord transition?
It's an A maj aug 5.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_sixth
That part is just bouncing between a Dm and A maj. The F is just carrying over to the the Dm7.
- 11
1
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What is my 7 if a chord does not specify the 7th?
It depends on what the next chord is.
"Guide tones" is just another way to say "voice leading" and you need to move to another chord to really say what happens moving tone to tone.
...
- 49.4k
1
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What is my 7 if a chord does not specify the 7th?
Unfortunately, this is a stylistic choice.
You get both the complete freedom, and the complete responsibility of playing within the chosen style.
Some arbitrary guidelines:
random jumping between &...
- 1,380
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