Music Theory Notes

Cadence & Rhythm

  • Perfect Cadence: Basics.
  • Rhythm vs. Beat: Distinction.
  • Meter: Duple, triple, quadruple, quintuple.
  • Compound Meter: 6/8 (duple).
  • Polyrhythm: Two different rhythms simultaneously.
  • Syncopation: Melody between beats.

Texture

  • Monophony: Single musical line without accompaniment.
    • Common in medieval Gregorian chants.
  • Homophony: Primary melody with supporting lines.
  • Polyphony: Multiple independent melodic lines (counterpoint).
    • Rounds, canons, fugues.

Timbre

  • Tone color, including volume, length, duration, and pitch.
  • Three components:
    • Energy source.
    • Vibrating element.
    • Resonating chamber.
  • Tessitura: General range of pitches in a melody.
  • Register: Specific segment of total pitch range.
  • Coloratura Soprano: High range, agile runs.
  • Mezzo Soprano: Between soprano and contralto.
  • Contralto: Lowest female voice.
  • Countertenor: Highest male voice.
  • Castrato: Male singer castrated to keep high voice.
  • Tenor: Vocal range.
  • Baritone: Middle male range (most common).
  • Bass: Lowest male voice.

Instrumental Colors

  • Strings:
    • Violin, viola, cello, bass, harp, guitar.
    • Sound produced by bow, strings, and rosin.
  • Woodwinds:
    • Flute, piccolo, oboe/English horn, clarinet, bassoon/contrabassoon, saxophone.
  • Brass:
    • Trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba.
  • Percussion:
    • Definite pitches: Timpani, xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, celesta, chimes.
    • Indefinite pitches: Bass drum, snare drum, cymbals.
  • Keyboard:
    • Pipe organ, harpsichord, piano (fortepiano).

Ensembles

  • Chamber Music: 2-12 performers.
  • String Quartet: Specific ensemble.
  • Symphony Orchestra: Large ensemble.

Form

  • Composition structures: Symphony, concerto, sonata.
  • Common structures: Binary, ternary, rondo.
    *Musical composition is an organic form.
  • Strophic: AAA form.
  • Binary: AB form.
  • Ternary: ABA form.
  • Rounded Binary: Partial repeat of A.
  • Theme and Variations: AA1 A2 A3 etc.

Rondo & Sonata Form

  • Rondo: ABACA, ABACABA, ABACADA; ends with A.
  • Sonata: Exposition, Development, Recapitulation.
    • Exposition (A):
      • Themes presented; modulation occurs.
      • Theme 1: Tonic to dominant.
      • Theme 2: Closing material.
    • Development (B):
      • Explores themes, unstable.
    • Recapitulation (A’):
      • Modified exposition repeat without modulation.
      • Theme 1 returns, stabilizes to tonic.
      • Theme 2 in relative key.
    • Coda: Optional ending section.