Understanding Music Theory: A Comprehensive Guide, Slides of Music Theory and Analysis

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Music 1133

Music Theory 1

J. Hennessy

What is Music Theory?

 Music Theory attempts to explain the complex and abstract organization of sounds we call music  Music Theory establishes conventions for notating musical information and for communicating musical relationships  Music theory forges links between the sonic creations of people and cultures, the systems of thought and organization of societies, and the physical laws that determine the nature of sound

Why Study Music Theory?

 Music is a very complicated phenomenon - it is a complex interaction of sound objects that evolve in “real time”  Musical ideas are difficult to communicate using subjective impressions and descriptive language  Music theory allows musicians to examine music from a slightly removed perspective, and provides symbols and strategies for articulating musical ideas and relationships  Ultimately this allows musicians to develop new musical ideas and concepts

What if that’s not a good enough

reason?

 Tough - you need this course for your

degree!

 Despite this, I hope your study of music

theory will enhance your appreciation of

music, and ultimately make you a better

musician.

Rudiments

 Staff Notation

 Scales/Key Signatures

 Intervals

 Transposition

 Triads/Chords

 Time Signatures - proper beat notation

 Expressive/Tempo terms (often Italian)

Harmony

 The “vertical” dimension of music

 Notes sounding simultaneously

 Resulting chords have functions within a

given key

 Progression of harmony forms the structure

of musical sections - from the smallest to

largest (phrases to whole pieces)

Form/Structure

 Tonal Music often has a structure that is

determined by harmony - cadences, key

relationships

 Common Practice Era music often conforms

to established formal archetypes - forms

(binary, ternary, sonata, rondo)

Analysis

 Analysis involves studying an existing piece or excerpt of music and determining its most salient features  Often this “deconstructs” the piece to identify how the composer put it together  Analysis often takes place within an historical context - particularly regarding established styles or schools of composition  Analysis should not, however, simply determine how well a piece fits some “ideal”  Analysis should determine what is unique about a piece

Strategies for Success

 Many students find theory to be a very

difficult subject, often having to repeat the

course in order to gain credit.

 Here are a few strategies for ensuring that

this does not happen

Attend Class

 While attendance will not be taken for lectures or tutorials, it is in your best interest to attend all classes.  Textbook explanations of theory are often difficult to grasp and the classes will focus on trying to clarify seemingly difficult concepts.  This is also your best opportunity to ask questions.

Try not to simply memorize rules

 Theory does have a set of procedural rules,

but it is important that you understand the

concepts behind these rules rather than just

memorize them.

 Once the rules make practical sense to you,

they become ingrained in your vocabulary

and memorization becomes irrelevant.

 The only way to accomplish this is to

practice doing assigned exercises.

Give Yourself Manageable Tasks

 When confronting a theory problem,

address one thing at a time rather than

worrying about the ultimate solution.

 Accomplishing smaller tasks builds your

confidence and helps you to better

understand general concepts.

 Strategies for this will be discussed

extensively in tutorials.

It’s Up To You!

 I will do whatever I can to present the material in a non-threatening, yet challenging manner but it is ultimately up to you to keep up with the work.  Theory is a cumulative subject and often if you miss one concept, it affects your ability to process new material.  Don’t let things slide. Last time I taught this course, final grades ranged from 100% to 8%!  I would like nothing better than to pass all of you, and for many of you to achieve an A - but nothing will be given away for free!  Good luck!!

Diagnostic Test

 1. What is the name of the symbol on the far left?  2. What is another way of notating the 2nd symbol?  3. How many 8th notes could fit into one bar according to the time signature?  4. What is the duration in quarter notes of the note shown?  5. What pitch does this note represent?  6. Write the key signature for the major key for which this note is the tonic pitch.  7. What is the tonic pitch of the relative minor key?  8. Write the key signature for the minor key for which this note is the tonic pitch.  9. Write the melodic minor scale scale using accidentals for the scale in which this pitch is the supertonic (2nd) scale degree.  10. Write the major scale including the key signature for the parallel major key.  11. Notate the pitch a major 6th above the note shown, using the treble clef.  12. Invert this interval and rename it.  13. Write the pitch an augmented 4th below the note shown.  14. Invert this interval and rename it.  15. What is a common name used to refer to both of these intervals (in 14 and 15)?