Tag: music theory
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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…
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What is voice leading in music? a quick overview
I learned about voice leading from a very academic angle. It was introduced to me through counterpoint and then through four-part writing. I was never a singer, except for my first year of college where I had to be in the choir, and though voice leading pertains to all instruments, it’s very clear when singing.…
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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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Writing music analysis for non-musicians & music majors
Whether you know music or not, you may be asked to write an essay/analysis on a piece of music. If you’re a music major or thinking about studying music in college, get used to it! This task can feel a little overwhelming, especially if it is your first time writing about music. This article is…
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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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What is music analysis? What’s it good for?
Music analysis is a powerful tool used to understand how and why music works. Analysis can be used for a variety of reasons by musicians of any genre. Using classical music theory and/or other techniques, music around the world can be better understood.
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Music theory and math – understanding connections
This idea that music is math or at least mathematical, is one that I encountered often at the university. To be fair, virtually anything can or does involve numbers and math. But music shares a famous truism with math, they’re both “universal languages”. Whether both deserve that “universal” status could be debated but there must…