Category: Basic Music Theory
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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…
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Should you study music theory? reasons for and against
I get asked and even ask myself sometimes, “should musicians learn music theory?” When I was completing my undergraduate work in Theory and Composition there was always this air of prestige and expectation from some of my pop-music friends. Some knew no theory and played wonderfully, but they would usually express a desire to learn…
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What’s counterpoint in music? who what when where & why
During my undergraduate work, counterpoint happened to be one of my favorite topics in music theory (Who am I kidding? I liked them all!). I was a teacher’s assistant and graded many counterpoint exercises. What I saw was if students grasped the principles of counterpoint, they were more successful when we got to four-part writing,…
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The rules of counterpoint: cantus firmus through 5th species
For a more detailed look at each species of counterpoint refer to the related articles below. This article is intended to be a reference and summary of the main “rules” of counterpoint. In general there are five elements to be aware of and control when writing traditional counterpoint: 1) lines move predominately by stepwise motion,…
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4th Species Counterpoint – the art of tension and release
You may not have known it but 4th species counterpoint is a clear articulation of that push and pull of tonal music. Western tonal music developed dissonance consonance relationships that helps give “direction” to the music. Typically, compositions utilize building up tension with dissonance which is then relieved by resolving to a consonance in very…
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I IV V Progression – A Musical Cliché Explained
In tonal music the I IV V chord progression is a sequence of chords based on the 1st, 4th, and 5th scales degrees. For example, in the key of C major the progression would be (I) C-major, (IV) F-major, and (V) G-major.
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Major and Minor Scales (there’re only 4 to know)
Some people might say there are 12 major scales (one for each pitch in the 12-note equal temperament system-c c# d d# e f f# g g# a a# b). And some people might say there are 12 natural minor scales, 12 harmonic minor scales, and 12 melodic minor scales, each built of one of…
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3rd Species Counterpoint – (audio ex) rules and steps
If you do not know about cantus firmus, 1st species counterpoint, or 2nd species counterpoint, check out the following articles first: Cantus Firmus 1st Species Counterpoint 2nd Species Counterpoint In 3rd species counterpoint the counterpoint moves in quarter note durations against the cantus firmus in whole notes. Rules of 3rd Species Counterpoint If 5 quarter…
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7 Music Scales Beyond Major & Minor You Should Know
Learn more about: Whole-tone scale Chromatic scale Hemitonic – pentatonic scale Anhemitonic – pentatonic scale Hexatonic scales Tetratonic scale Octatonic scale
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9 Bach Chord Progressions To Use In Your Music
J.S. Bach is one of the greatest composers of all time, so it stands to reason that you are on solid ground using his music for inspiration. Specifically, in this article, I want to show you how his chord progressions can help you write new and interesting music. Many musicians get writers block, and it…