Modes Modes are musical scales with very different characteristics. Different modes occur when we start and stop on different notes within a key signature. IONIAN MODE: C to C in the key of C major DORIAN MODE: D to D in the key of C major PHRYGIAN MODE: E to E in the key of
Common Forms: Classical Music Binary Form By its namesake, binary form consists of two sections: A B. These sections may contrast in terms of style, key, meter, tempo, etc. Binary Form information from William Wieland's theory website Rounded Binary Form Rounded binary form typically takes the form of A B A', where
Common Forms: Popular Music 12-Bar Blues 12-Bar Blues is a chord progression that describes the number of measures in the form. In its most fundamental form, it uses tonic, subdominant, and dominant chords, though there are innumerable variations. 12-Bar Blues information from William Wieland's theory website 12-Bar Blues information from musictheoryacademy.com
Figured Bass, Triads Figured bass is a type of notation where the composer write numeric values under a bass note, and those numeric values communicate the quality and inversion of a triad built upon that bass note. All notes are diatonic and remain in the key signature unless indicated in the figured bass notation.
Transposing Instruments 1. Know the key of the instrument. For example, an alto saxophone is in Eb. 2. When the instrument plays a written "C," the sounding pitch will be the key of the instrument. For example, when an alto saxophone plays a written "C," it will sound a concert Eb. Transposing Instrument information
Scale Degree Names Each scale degree has a specific name, and they vary only slightly for major vs. minor scales. MAJOR SCALE 1(8) - Tonic 7 - Leading Tone 6 - Submediant 5 - Dominant 4 - Subdominant 3 - Mediant 2 - Supertonic 1 - Tonic MINOR SCALE 1(8) - Tonic 7 - Leading
Chromatic Intervals The method I was taught here was to start with major diatonic intervals and adjust based on the accidentals. For example, if I know that a C up to G is a perfect fifth, then a C up to Gb would be a diminished fifth. Chromatic Interval information from William Wieland's theory
Closely-Related Keys: Major and Minor There are five closely-related keys to any major or minor key. Closely-related keys differ from a key by one flat or sharp at the most. So, to find the closely-related keys to a given key signature: 1. Determine the key 2. Identify its relative major/minor 3. Add a sharp /
Augmentation The lengthening of the note values of a melody. Diminution The shortening of the note values of a melody. Retrograde Playing or writing the melody backwards. Extension Adding to the melody, similar to a hair extension. Fragmentation, or Truncation A fragment, or portion, of the melody. Motivic Transformation
Melodic Minor Scales Melodic minor scales are identical to natural minor scales, except that the 6th and 7th scale degrees are raised a half-step while ascending the scale. Melodic Minor Scale information from William Wieland's theory website