New answers tagged theory
0
votes
How do i arrange chords after mixing pentatonic modes?
TL;DR
There are four combinations of major and minor pentatonics which create the entire diatonic collection.
Two minor pentatonics a whole step apart
Two major pentatonics a whole step apart
One ...
- 82.8k
4
votes
1
vote
Is there a mathematic reason why Standard tuning for guitar is number 1 in the series of tunings? Could AI find it given a guitar with no tuning?
Depending on what objective function you give a constraint optimization problem solving algorithm you will probably find different optimums. (Solutions usually vary as well depending on start point ...
- 699
8
votes
Is there a mathematic reason why Standard tuning for guitar is number 1 in the series of tunings? Could AI find it given a guitar with no tuning?
I assume that an algorithm or AI could come up with a different useful tuning, but I suspect it would be a slight variation of the currently popular tunings. After all, the tuning is very much limited ...
- 81
1
vote
Is there a mathematic reason why Standard tuning for guitar is number 1 in the series of tunings? Could AI find it given a guitar with no tuning?
I posit that the answer is no, an AI/algorithm could not determine the ideal tuning. Or, rather, it would agree that the standard tuning is ideal, but not on any objective, mathematical basis, but ...
- 82.8k
-2
votes
Is there a mathematic reason why Standard tuning for guitar is number 1 in the series of tunings? Could AI find it given a guitar with no tuning?
ChatGPT 3.5 answers the same way as humans on this exchange, because AI just rehashes existing human generated text.
The reason isn't specifically mathematical, it's practical for accommodating the ...
- 55k
0
votes
Do added-tone chords change depending on the key?
Any added tone (note) is counted from the root of the chord involved, not the key chord or its root.
There's some inaccuracy in your note naming, but - add2, for example is add 2 to the chord in ...
- 190k
0
votes
Do added-tone chords change depending on the key?
E(add2) is E, F♯, G♯, B.
That's it, period.
You're probably more likely to find it in a piece in E major than one in (say) F major. It's diatonic in E major, pretty 'outside' in F major. But E(add2)...
- 90.6k
1
vote
Do added-tone chords change depending on the key?
Chord symbols of this sort are relative to the root of the chord. The second that you're adding to an E major chord is always F♯.
No.
Likewise, a Cadd2 chord consists of the notes C, D, E, G in the ...
- 20.6k
1
vote
Is there any benefit in trying to play a song by ear?
Playing by ear and notating the chords and tunes you've found out is - in my few - the most efficiant practice to train your ear and composing. For controling let the result play by someone else or ...
- 25.7k
1
vote
Is there any benefit in trying to play a song by ear?
Yes, there are benefits! Playing by ear is an excellent way to strengthen the coordination between your composing and performing instincts.
I often compose by playing, but what I write is limited by ...
- 1,319
11
votes
Is there any benefit in trying to play a song by ear?
Playing by ear is an invaluable musical skill.
So is playing from music.
So is recognising and codifying the patterns in what you play (by either means) to form a concept of 'music theory'.
It's all ...
- 90.6k
5
votes
Is there any benefit in trying to play a song by ear?
To start, a restatement of the question:
As an adult with limited practice/study time, but interested in being a better musician, composing, ear training, and theory, does either learning from a score ...
- 82.8k
1
vote
Accepted
how to theoretically understand that chords are compatible?
A partial answer is to consider the three Common Practice Period interval classes.
Perfect consonance: unison, octave, fourth*, fifth.
Imperfect consonance: major and minor sixths and thirds.
...
- 25.1k
2
votes
What is a "D-10" Chord?
He doubtless meant D(♭10). ('-' can mean 'minor' or 'flattened' in Chord Symbols.) That's a D triad plus a minor 3rd. Usually has the 7th as well. Sometimes called the 'Hendrix' chord, or the '...
- 90.6k
1
vote
What is a "D-10" Chord?
McCartney plays piano himself on the recording, and since he doesn't read music, he probably didn't bother to name the chord, a D chord with adjacent major and minor thirds (F/F#). Whoever transcribed ...
- 19.7k
0
votes
♭VII-I Cadence, ♭III-I Cadence: Name?
The bVII7 I cadence is called the Backdoor Cadence.
See also a discussion on this "delicate Backdoor cadence".
- 224
-2
votes
What is a "D-10" Chord?
10 chords really exist, although in theory they are suspect as they don't follow the normal rules for chords.
This is really a basic chord name wise, but with the third placed an octave above, as a ...
- 11
-2
votes
Why is C the base note of standard notation and keys?
I hope you don't find this answer to simplistic If you look at the keyboard and start with c and look at it again and start with A you would see that the black notes spacing of groups of 2 followed by ...
- 11
0
votes
Are the iv and V chords used in the minor scale just like the major scale?
While theory supports that the iv and V work the same way for a minor Key, always let what I call "ear and flow" be your guide. Theory must always be subordinate to practice. In other ...
0
votes
Why must the final bar complete the anacrusis?
I believe this "rule" is antiquated, therefore arguably obsolete. What I do with my scoring is this: count in two bars for free, the second bar has the anacrusis, say it's two eighth notes. ...
- 1
-2
votes
What are the modes derived from the C major scale?
This is a false explanation. The modes DO NOT all contain the exact same notes. Why use the first part when you have the step formula right below it, showing the intervals?!? It is just confusing.
...
0
votes
Is it possible to approach hidden 5ths & 8ves by contrary motion?
No. Because then they wouldn't be 'hidden 5ths'.
The issue with 'hidden 5ths', as with 'parallel 5ths', is based on similar motion. Otherwise, think about it, ANY movement that resulted in a 5th ...
- 90.6k
5
votes
Accepted
What do you call it when a song constantly adds prominent rests? (like the example given)
Short answer, no, there's no handy musical term for "characterized by lots of interruptions by short rests." You could use the word staccato for this example, but that won't always be true. ...
- 15.9k
1
vote
Why does F# minor chord fit A minor key
Why does F# minor chord fit A minor key
The simple answer is - if 'fit' means 'using the notes of the scale', it doesn't. And if A minor -> C major -> F# minor -> F major was just plonked ...
- 90.6k
7
votes
Accepted
How to Identify & Complete Sequences
Sequence
A sequence is a musical pattern that is repeated in transposed form.
Melodic vs. Harmonic (a.k.a. Tonal vs. Real)
In a melodic sequence, the literal pattern is repeated.
In a harmonic ...
- 82.8k
0
votes
"approved ultra-nationalist style" of soviet symphonies during Stalin time
It might be hard to quote symphonies in the 'approved' style, because the requirement for programmatic work, replete with military and folkloric tunes, wasn't a good fit with large scale symphonic ...
- 90.6k
2
votes
"approved ultra-nationalist style" of soviet symphonies during Stalin time
In Soviet era (after the first years) all art form were expected to convey a political message: The suffering of the proletariat and the final victory of communism. One principle common to music ...
- 18.8k
5
votes
Accepted
"approved ultra-nationalist style" of soviet symphonies during Stalin time
There was not a clear set of rules to define "Soviet" music. It was supposed to "glorify" the Soviet ethos, but ultimately it was up to the bureaucrat who was tasked with giving ...
- 82.8k
5
votes
Call and response
TL;DR: It depends on how much space the melody leaves for responses to fit into.
Given the two songs mentioned, the reason "Autumn Leaves" works and "Days of Wine and Roses" doesn'...
- 82.8k
1
vote
Creative Ideas for Teaching Musical Ornaments to Kids
We train children to ask 'why?'. We must also train them to accept 'because that's the way it was done historically, and it's in the syllabus' as sufficient answer!
Not sure how useful it is to ...
- 90.6k
1
vote
What chord do we get by raising the fifth of a minor triad?
Raising the fifth of a major triad gives an augmented triad. For example, you can get from C (C-E-G) to C+ (C-E-G♯) by raising the fifth.
Correct.
...C-E♭-G♯, which is enharmonic to C-E♭-A♭
Not ...
- 375
Top 50 recent answers are included