The Pillars of Global Music Theory
CWith this site I aim to investigate areas of music theory, music composition, musicology, ethnomusicology, and other topics that interest me. Sometimes this may simply be a place for me to jot down ideas and resources or I may put in some time to really dig into a topic. Perhaps others will find some use in this collection of articles.
Brandon
Latest Articles on Musical Topics
- Music and Healing: A Global Investigation
The first time I really heard about music truly healing people wasn’t until college. Before that, I had played music and felt it’s power, but never was it articulated as “healing” or even something that was “healthy.” While I was studying at the University of New Mexico, there was a presentation given by the anthropology… Read more: Music and Healing: A Global Investigation - Composer As Communicator & Explorer
“It should be noted here that proficiency in composition occasionally correlates with maladjustment to the culture and is often associated with religions activity.” Music in Primitive Culture by Bruno Nettl, 1956, pg. 11 When I read that quote, I felt it resonate with me. Not that I’m all that “maladjusted” but that often times composers… Read more: Composer As Communicator & Explorer - Investigating How Environments Shape What Music Was Created And Performed
As a composer, I often find myself captivated by the ways in which the environment shapes the music that is created and performed around the globe. From some of the more traditional societies of Africa and Asia to the modern metropolises of the West, the music of the world reflects the unique characteristics of the… Read more: Investigating How Environments Shape What Music Was Created And Performed - Exploring Music Notation: Staves, Textiles, & Organic!
As a composer, notation is a crucial aspect of my art. It allows me to convey my musical ideas to performers, enabling them to bring my compositions to life. While standard music notation is the predominant system in Western classical music, there are numerous other methods of notating music. These include non-standard notation systems and… Read more: Exploring Music Notation: Staves, Textiles, & Organic! - Exploring music improvisation from around the world
Improvisation is a vital element in many world music traditions and has played a significant role in the development of music across cultures for centuries. It’s a way for musicians to respond to the changing needs and moods of the audience and bring their own personal style and creativity to the music. In this article,… Read more: Exploring music improvisation from around the world - A comparison of different musical modes used in different parts of the world
This article looks at the musical modes and scales that have been used in various forms of music for centuries or millennia. Modes are an essential element of many musical traditions, and they play a significant role in shaping the character and emotion of a piece of music. I wanted to provide a brief introduction… Read more: A comparison of different musical modes used in different parts of the world