Understanding Basic Music Theory: Introduction

These are the notes I take as I am reading, and are therefore likely of no use to anyone else. Nevertheless, I make them public.

http://cnx.org/content/m13685/latest/

• bare essentials of music theory
• advanced theory varies by genre, but deep understanding leads to broad understanding.
• Final section goes beyond “beginner level”

 

• Purpose of course: be so thorough on basics that student can easily pick up any further theory needed.
• Course also covers music history and physics as they enlighten theory.
• Better understanding of the basics leads to better and faster comprehension of more complex ideas. (Good epistemology!)

 

• Music theory is like grammar, usage comes first, rules are ascertained after.
• Attempts to develop a new language (or music theory) by first inventing the grammar and spelling never work. (This explains 12-tone pieces and other avant-garbage.)

 

• Basic physics of sound answer some basic “why” questions. Section on accoustics is therefore pivotal.