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Music Theory

Music theory is the language of music. It provides tools to understand, interpret, and communicate about music. Mastery of music theory enables musicians to generate more ideas, work faster, and seamlessly translate thoughts into music.

References

BASICS​

Notes​

  • Sound and Vibration: Sound is made of vibrations. Faster vibrations are perceived as higher pitches, and slower vibrations as lower pitches.
  • Musical Notes: Most popular music uses 12 notes. These notes repeat at higher or lower pitches (octaves).
  • Piano Keyboard: White keys are named A through G. Black keys are named relative to the white keys as sharps (#) or flats (b).

Rhythm and meter​

  • Rhythm: Rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences in music. It is what makes music move and flow. Rhythm is created by combining different note values (like quarter notes, eighth notes, etc.) and rests (silences).

  • Meter: Meter is the recurring pattern of beats in music. It is like the heartbeat of a piece of music, giving it structure and flow. Meter is usually indicated at the beginning of a piece by a time signature.

  • Time Signature: A time signature tells you how the beats are grouped in a piece of music. It is written as a fraction, like 4/4 or 3/4. The top number tells you how many beats are in each measure, and the bottom number tells you what type of note gets one beat.

  • Common Time (4/4): This is the most common time signature in Western music. It means there are four beats in each measure, and a quarter note gets one beat.

  • Waltz Time (3/4): This time signature means there are three beats in each measure, and a quarter note gets one beat. It gives music a "waltz" feel.

  • Syncopation: Syncopation is when the regular flow of the rhythm is disrupted by placing emphasis on off-beats or weak beats. It adds excitement and surprise to music.

  • Tempo: Tempo is the speed at which a piece of music is played. It is usually indicated in beats per minute (BPM). A faster tempo means a quicker pace, while a slower tempo means a more relaxed pace.

Understanding rhythm and meter is essential for musicians as it helps them keep time, stay in sync with other musicians, and bring out the intended feel of the music.

STRUCTURE​

Intervals​

An interval is the distance between two notes. Almost all music is created by using notes at different distances and thus different sizes of intervals. The notes in an interval may be played simultaneously, which is the case in chords, or played successively, which is the case in melodies.

References

Scales​

  • Major Scale: The major scale has a specific pattern: whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step.
  • Key: A key is a group of notes that sound good together in a piece of music. Major and minor keys are the most common, each typically using seven notes.
  • C Major Scale: An easy example using only white notes on the piano.

List of scales​

References

Major Scale​

The Major Scale is one of the fundamental scales in Western music, often considered the backbone of music theory due to its widespread use in various musical genres.

Structure of the Major Scale

The Major Scale consists of seven distinct notes plus an eighth note, which is the same as the first note but an octave higher. The interval pattern for a Major Scale is:

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RootWhole StepWhole StepHalf StepWhole StepWhole StepWhole StepHalf Step
WWHWWWH
111/21111/2
🔵🟢🟢🔴🟢🟢🟢🔴🎵

Importance of the Major Scale

  • Foundation of Music Theory: The Major Scale serves as a reference point for understanding other scales, modes, and musical concepts.
  • Building Chords: Major chords, minor chords, and other chord types are built using notes from the Major Scale.
  • Melodic Composition: Many melodies and harmonies in Western music are derived from the Major Scale.

C Major Scale

The C Major Scale is the simplest of the Major Scales because it consists of all the natural notes (no sharps or flats). The notes in the C Major Scale are:

  • C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

In terms of piano keys, the C Major Scale uses only the white keys:

  • C (root note) - D - E - F - G - A - B - C (octave)

🎶 Songs: Amazing Grace, Imagine, Let it be, Some one like you

Minor Scale​

References

Chords​

  • Chords: Multiple notes played simultaneously, crucial for setting the song’s emotion. The most common chords are triads (three notes: root, third, fifth).
  • Major and Minor Chords: Defined by the interval patterns between notes. Major chords have a happy sound (four semitones then three), while minor chords have a sad sound (three semitones then four).
  • Chord Inversions: Changing the order of notes in a chord to make transitions smoother and more natural.

Diatonic Chord Formula​

The diatonic chord formula is a crucial concept for understanding chord structures within a key. It outlines the types of chords (major, minor, diminished) that naturally occur on each scale degree of a major scale. This formula helps musicians quickly identify and play chords that fit harmoniously within a given key. The formula for the diatonic chords in a major scale is as follows:

  1. I (Major): The first chord is major. In C major, this would be C major.
  2. ii (Minor): The second chord is minor. In C major, this would be D minor.
  3. iii (Minor): The third chord is minor. In C major, this would be E minor.
  4. IV (Major): The fourth chord is major. In C major, this would be F major.
  5. V (Major): The fifth chord is major. In C major, this would be G major.
  6. vi (Minor): The sixth chord is minor. In C major, this would be A minor.
  7. vii° (Diminished): The seventh chord is diminished. In C major, this would be B diminished.

This pattern of major, minor, and diminished chords is consistent across all major keys. By memorizing this formula, musicians can easily construct the chords for any major scale, facilitating smoother playing and improvisation.

Example: Diatonic chords in C major scale

The Claw in C Major by anhvict91

🏋️ Practice Tips

  • 12 Weeks Training Program: Focus on one scale per week, starting with the C major scale, and then move through the D♭ major, D major, E♭ major, E major, F major, F# major, G major, A♭ major, A major, B♭ major, B major. Spend time each day practicing chord progressions, inversions, and voicings within the scale.
  • Use a Metronome: Practice with a metronome to develop a strong sense of timing and rhythm. Start slow and gradually increase the tempo as you become more comfortable with the chords.
  • Compose Simple Melodies: Use the diatonic chords to compose simple melodies. This will help in understanding the harmonic function of each chord and how they can be used in music composition.

List Of Chords​

References

Arpeggios​

Arpeggios are the notes of a chord played in succession rather than simultaneously. They are a key element in music, adding texture and complexity to melodies and harmonies. Arpeggios can be played ascending, descending, or in various patterns.

Types of Arpeggios

  • Major Arpeggios: Consist of the root, major third, and perfect fifth (e.g., C - E - G).
  • Minor Arpeggios: Consist of the root, minor third, and perfect fifth (e.g., A - C - E).
  • Diminished Arpeggios: Consist of the root, minor third, and diminished fifth (e.g., B - D - F).

References

Chord Progression​

Chord progressions are a sequence of chords played in a specific order, forming the harmonic foundation of a piece of music. They are essential in creating the mood and emotion of a song. The most common chord progressions in Western music are derived from the diatonic chords within a key. Here are some powerful chord progressions every musician should know:

  • I - V - vi - IV: This progression is often called the “pop progression” and is widely used in many genres. In the key of C major, it would be C - G - Am - F.
  • ii - V - I: Known as the “jazz progression,” it is a staple in jazz and classical music. In C major, it translates to Dm - G - C.
  • I - vi - IV - V: This progression, known as the “50s progression,” has been used in countless hit songs. In C major, it would be C - Am - F - G.
  • vi - IV - I - V: Common in pop and rock music, this progression creates a more melancholic feel. In C major, it is Am - F - C - G.

References

Rhythm​

  • Musical Timing: Music is divided into measures with beats. Common time signatures include 4/4, counted as 1-2-3-4.
  • Subdivision: Dividing beats into smaller parts (e.g., eighth notes, sixteenth notes) to create more complex rhythms.

ADVANCED​

Melodies​

  • Creating Melodies: Melodies are sequences of single notes played over chord progressions. They often use a mix of chord tones (stable) and passing tones (creating tension).
  • Pentatonic Scale: A five-note scale that often sounds good over many chord progressions.

References

Harmony​