Computer Music: Musc 216
Music Fundamentals


Introduction:

Every culture has some kind of well-developed music theory that can be transmitted to succeeding generations through study and apprenticeship. This is more than just how to play a musical instrument or how to sing. MUSIC THEORY is synonymous with the MATERIALS or FUNDAMENTALS of music such as:

- scales
- tuning
- rhythm
- harmony
- melody


Scales:

Scales are the sets of notes (pitches) from which music is generated. In WESTERN MUSIC, various scales include:

- major
- minor
- pentatonic
- chromatic
- whole tone


Tuning:

Individual notes of a SCALE are intimately linked with various systems of tunings. Individual cultures throughout the world have their own methods of tuning which consequently influence the variety of scales that are used. The most common tuning in WESTERN MUSIC is Equal Tuning. Other historic tunings (various tunings used throughout history) include:

- Pythagorean Tuning
-
Just Tuning
-
Mean Tone Tuning
-
Well Tempered Tuning

See Tuning/Temperament Demo
See A Beginner's Guide to Alternate Tunings

Most cultures throughout the world have their own systems of tuning which result in a wide variety of scales. In India, for example various scales and tunings are used depending on the time of the day and the day of the year.


Rhythm:

Rhythm in music has to do with the placement of sound in time. Rhythm throughout history has often been linked to drumming and dancing. Traditional WESTERN MUSIC has been concerned with the organization of notes in relation to a STEADY BEAT which is organized in either groups of TWO (duple meter) or THREE (triple meter). Twentieth century classical music was often concerned with organizing music in such a way that there was no discernible "beat" or steady tempo.


Melody:

Melodies are tunes constructed of the notes from individual scales. The character or mood of a melody is intimately affected by the scale; the scale is intimately affected by the system of tuning.


Harmony:

Harmony occurs when two or more notes occur simultaneously. Notes occur simultaneously because two or more melodic instruments or voices are playing at the same time. Some instruments such as a KEYBOARD can play many notes at the same time.

TWO notes occurring simultaneously are called INTERVALS; THREE or more notes occurring simultaneously are called CHORDS.

WESTERN music has the most developed (complex) theory of HARMONY. Middle-Eastern and Asian music has the most developed theory of MELODY.

Many cultures have no theory of harmony per se. When two or more melodic instruments are playing at the same time, they generally play in unison or at the octave with some IMPROVISATIONAL EMBELLISHMENT of the melody at the discretion of the performer. This type of "harmony" is called HETEROPHONY and is characteristic of much Middle-Eastern and Asian music.

Generally, music which is more complex harmonically tends to be less complex melodically and visa versa. By the end of the 19th century when classical Western Music reached an apex of harmonic complexity, melodies became particularly stagnant.


Learn about WESTERN Fundamentals of Music.

Learn about Middle-Eastern Music Theory.

Learn about Classical Indian Music Theory.

Learn about Indonesian Music Theory.

Learn about Classical Chinese Music.

Check this out: World Music.

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