Understanding Basic Music Theory, 2013a

Table of Contents
Understanding Basic Music Theory: Course Introduction ......................................1
1 Notation
1.1 Pitch ........................................................................................3
1.2 Time . ......................................................................................25
1.3 Style .......................................................................................54
Solutions ........................................................................................62
2 Denitions
2.1 Rhythm . . . .................................................................................69
2.2 Timbre .....................................................................................70
2.3 Melody . . . ..................................................................................71
2.4 Texture . ...................................................................................76
2.5 Harmony . ..................................................................................79
2.6 Counterpoint ...............................................................................81
2.7 Range . .....................................................................................83
2.8 Classifying Music ...........................................................................86
3 The Physical Basis
3.1 Acoustics for Music Theory . ................................................................93
3.2 Standing Waves and Musical Instruments ...................................................98
3.3 Harmonic Series I: Timbre and Octaves . ...................................................104
Solutions .......................................................................................110
4 Notes and Scales
4.1 Octaves and the Major-Minor Tonal System . ..............................................111
4.2 Half Steps and Whole Steps ...............................................................116
4.3 Major Keys and Scales ....................................................................120
4.4 Minor Keys and Scales . . . .................................................................123
4.5 Interval . . . ................................................................................129
4.6 Harmonic Series II: Harmonics, Intervals, and Instruments .................................140
4.7 The Circle of Fifths .......................................................................145
4.8 Scales that are not Major or Minor ........................................................148
Solutions .......................................................................................155
5 Harmony and Form
5.1 Triads .....................................................................................167
5.2 Naming Triads . . . .........................................................................170
5.3 Consonance and Dissonance ...............................................................175
5.4 Beyond Triads: Naming Other Chords .....................................................177
5.5 Beginning Harmonic Analysis ..............................................................185
5.6 Cadence ...................................................................................192
5.7 Form ......................................................................................195
Solutions .......................................................................................201
6 Challenges
6.1 Ear Training ..............................................................................209
6.2 Tuning Systems ...........................................................................212
6.3 Modes and Ragas . . . ......................................................................222
6.4 Transposition: Changing Keys . . . ..........................................................232
Solutions .......................................................................................246
Index ...............................................................................................248