What is music theory?
Music theory is the study of musical elements, such as notes, chords, keys, intervals, and rhythms. It is broken down into two main branches: Western and Eastern music theory. Western music theory focuses on the study of the music written by classical composers, while Eastern music theory is based on Indian ragas and the more ancient music of Egypt. The goal of music theory is to understand how music works and what makes it unique and expressive.
Elements of music theory
- Notes - The fundamental unit of music. It is represented by the symbols “1” or “flat” for a low sound and “2” or “sharp” for a high sound. The duration of a note is described by its length of time, measured in beats or pulses.
- Chords - Composed of at least two notes that are played simultaneously. A chord has a unique sound because it is made up of three or more different pitches that combine in a specific way.
- Keys - There are many different keys used in music. Each key has a specific key signature, which indicates the note values of the scale.
- Intervals - An interval refers to the distance between two different notes in a scale. For example, in the key of C major, the notes are C, D, E, F, G, and A. Intervals are represented by letters such as “C-F” (sharps), “D-G” (flats), “C-A” (natural), etc.
- Rhythm - The arrangement of the notes in music and the timing of these notes. In Western music, rhythm is usually tied to the tempo of the piece.
- Duration - The length of time a note or chord is played. A longer duration is associated with a faster tempo.
Benefits of music theory
- Creates structure within music - Without a foundation of music theory, music is just noise. It doesn’t have structure like poetry or literature, and you won’t be able to create anything beautiful or original. Without a basic understanding of music theory, you won’t be able to create your own unique pieces or expand on existing music.
- Brings harmony to music - Harmony is the pleasant combination of sounds heard at the same time. When two or more different notes are played at the same time, it creates dissonance or unpleasant sound.
- Transcends language barriers - Music transcends language, race, and culture, so learning music theory can help you to create music that crosses all boundaries. - Improves memory - Studying music theory is like practicing a skill. Once you learn the basics, you’ll be better prepared to learn new things and retain them for a longer period of time.
- Understanding music is important - Not understanding the basics of music will prevent you from creating beautiful pieces of music.
Basic music theory concepts
- Tonal center - The center of a key is the tonal center, or tonic, of the key. The tonic is the note that is most prominent and is often called the “home note” of the key.
- Degrees - When you play a major scale, you’ll notice that each note has a “degree” assigned to it. The key signature is a series of sharps or flats that indicate the relative degrees of each note. For example, in a key of C major, the degrees are “C-D-E-F-G-A-B”
- Chord construction - Every key has a specific set of chords that can be used in that key.
- Keys - A key is the combination of musical notes that create a specific chord. A key is named after the tonic (or home note) of that key.
- Scales - The notes in a key are often used as the foundation for melodies and chords in other keys. The major scale is the most common scale used in Western music.
-Hz - The frequency of sound is measured in hertz (Hz), so the “Hz” in “C-Hz” refers to the frequency of the C key, which is “C-D-E-F-G-A-B-Hz.”
-m - The “m” in “C-m” refers to the relative minor of C (m, or Ebm). The relative minor of a key is the key that is a relative minor third below the tonic (or home) key.
- Modulation - The modulation is the process of moving between keys. To modulate is to move between two keys.
- Chords - When you compose a melody using notes from a scale, you can add more notes, called chords, to create a fuller sound. There are many different chords that can be added to melodies.
- Cadences - After playing a melody in a particular key, composers often end the piece with a cadence, or chord sequence, that leads back to the tonic. This final chord sequence creates a sense of closure for the piece.
How to learn music theory
- Read music theory books - Make sure to start with the very basics, such as note names, scales, and note intervals. Get used to writing out music on paper, and learn how to read music.
- Attend theory classes - Enroll in a music theory class and meet other students who are studying the same music. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and receive help when needed.
- Listen to music - Try to listen to music at least once a day. This will help to deepen your understanding and make you more creative.
- Practice - Practice by playing music, singing, or dancing. Set goals to play more pieces, learn more songs, and improve your timing.
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