Music Theory I - Chapter C: Tonality

Tonic

The pitch around which other pitches are organized

Range

The span between the lowest and highest pitches of a melody

Scale

The organization of a collection of pitches up or down by steps

Triad

Collection of three pitches called the root, third, and fifth

Tonic Triad

A triad built on the tonic

Tonal System

A system where pitches are organized hierarchically

Major-Minor Tonality (Fundamental Tonality)

Western tonality

Scale Degrees

1. Tonic

2. Supertonic

3. Mediant

4. Subdominant

5. Dominant

6. Submediant

7. Leading Tone

Major Mode

A scale in which there is a major third between the tonic and the mediant

Minor Mode

A scale in which there must be a minor third between the tonic and mediant

Natural Minor

A minor scale with the 6th and 7th scale degrees lowered as well as the necessary 3rd

Harmonic Minor

A minor scale where the 6th scale degree is lowered (as well as the necessary 3rd) and the 7th scale degree is raised

Melodic Minor

A minor scale where the 6th and 7th scale degrees are lowered while ascending and raised while descending (as well as the necessary third being lowered)

Key

A set of pitch relationships that establish a note as the tonal center

Transposition

When one key is shifted into another key

Key Signature

A written way to signify the key at the beginning of a piece

Medieval Church Modal System

Four basic modes

Ionian Mode

Major scale

Aeolian Mode

Natural minor scale

Dorian Mode

Natural minor scale with a raised 6th scale degree

Phrygian Mode

Natural minor scale with a lowered 2nd scale degree

Lydian Mode

Major scale with a raised 4th scale degree

Mixolydian Mode

Major scale with a lowered 7th scale degree

Locrian Mode

Natural minor scale with lowered 2nd and 5th scale degrees

Chromatic Scale

A scale which contains all twelve pitches

Whole-Tone Scale

A scale which consists of only whole tones and only contains six pitches

Pentatonic Scale

A scale which consists of five pitches and no semitones