To learn theory is to gain access to the very tools that will enable your creativity. As the saying
goes, “Knowledge is power”. And what a powerful tool it is to help you understand how and why a given
style of music does what it does and sounds the way it sounds. That knowledge allows you to create a
song in any style of your choosing, even if you aren't particularly fluent in that style.
The foundation upon which Music theory is built is harmony. Theory is the “thinking” behind the expression. It
explains why things work the way they do. It isn’t difficult to grasp the
basics of what theory is all about, how it describes what is happening when you
are listening to a given passage of music.
You should know something about music and notation, as that will be the
format of all examples, for obvious reasons. We need to be clear that we are
“speaking” the same language. If you need a Primer on notation and reading, one
will be provided.
As soon as two or more notes are played together, you have harmony. We will
assume you already know about single notes, the building blocks from which
harmony is created. Single notes strung together are melodic, not harmonic, intervals.
In the following graphic, take note of the names of each interval of the Major scale.
You need to memorize these.
What you are seeing are the names of the scale degrees, as well as the intervals, the vertical distance between two notes.
In the next three examples, you will see the scale degrees called out (numerically) to show how they work in other scales.
Take note that in the Chromatic scale, the scale degree intervals stay consistent to the core scale (Major) from which the Chromatic is derived.
Let’s establish a few more things for clarity:
1) Chords alone are not harmony any more than words are language or even sentences. A dictionary of words is useless if you don’t know how they relate to one another or how they can be put together. Having a book of 1000 chords is useless without context and application.
2) Music is about sounds. If you don’t hear it, it doesn’t exist, regardless of how well you may comprehend it or explain it on paper. Examples should be played and listened to with objective ears. In so doing, you will know the next time it crops up. So pay attention! It will matter.
3) Again, standard music notation will be the general format, with the occasional use of chord diagrams for placement clarity.
4) Separating harmony from melody is artificial and pointless. A random succession of chords and notes, the concept of melody without harmony as normal is impossible, practically speaking.
Here is a little quiz for you. You have the information provided above to be able to find the answers to the questions. Try to do this in your head.
I. What is (a) the dominant of the B Major scale, (b) the mediant of the D Major scale, and (c) the submediant of the F♯ harmonic minor scale?
II. What degree of the scale is (a) C in A♭major, (b) C in A minor, (c) G♭in D♭Major, (d) G♯ in F♯ minor, and (e) C in F Major?
III. What note is (a) a minor third above C, (b) a major sixth above B, (c) a perfect fourth above D♭, (d) an augmented fifth above A♭, (e) a diminished fifth above D, (f) an augmented fifth above A♭, (g) a major third above F♯, (h) a major second below E♭, (i) a perfect fifth below B, and (j) a minor sixth below C?
IV.
What is the inversion of (a) a major third, (b) a
perfect fifth, (c) an augmented second, (d) a minor seventh, (e) a major sixth,
and (f) a diminished fifth?
Don’t worry if you can’t answer some of this. It is simply to help you start working on improving your knowledge and ability. Answers will be provided next time.