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Music Theory
Many graduate music programs require new students to take a diagnostic exam in music theory. Many institutions offer practice exams on their websites. Since these exams represent the expectation of knowledge and abilities acquired by the end of an undergraduate course in music theory, they can be useful as study guides or for gauging one's own level of attainment. More links will be added to this list in the future. --- 1. https://www.wmich.edu/musicgradexamprep/ 2. https://umshare.miami.edu/web/wda/frost/graduatestudies/MTC%20Common%20Practice%20Sample.pdf 3. https://umshare.miami.edu/web/wda/frost/graduatestudies/Sample%20Aural%20Portion.pdf 4. https://peabody.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/GADMA-Sample.pdf 5. https://www.bgsu.edu/content/dam/BGSU/musical-arts/documents/student-resources/GraduateStudentFiles/theorysamplequestions.pdf 6. https://files.webservices.illinois.edu/5030/entrance_exam_musicology_study_guide_for_jan_2016.pdf 7. https://www.umass.edu/music/sites/default/files/assets/music/practice_diagnostic_theory_exam_general_version_2_2016.pdf 8. https://wwwp.oakland.edu/Assets/upload/docs/MTD/Graduate-Study/Grad-Music-History-&-Theory-Study-Guide-2015.pdf 9. http://www.csueastbay.edu/music/files/docs/exams/graduate-exam.pdf 10. https://music.ku.edu/graduate-music-theory-diagnostic-exam-practice-examples 11. https://www.uh.edu/~tkoozin/theory/diagnostic-exams.html 12. https://www.umass.edu/music/diagnostic-exams-graduate-study 13. https://vpa.uncg.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/practice-exam-10-12-21.pdf 14. https://uca.edu/music/files/2021/04/Graduate-Diagnostic-Theory-History-Study-Guide.pdf
Here is a short list of links for learning music theory and other related skills. --- Online textbooks and learning resources * Devore, Richard O; Kulma, David; Naxer, Meghan; Clark, Jason; Kuhns, Krystal. [How Music Works: A First-Year Theory Textbook (2nd ed.)](https://oaks.kent.edu/oerbooks/1) * [musictheory.net](http://www.musictheory.net/), lessons and exercises for theory and ear training. * [Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom](https://musictheory.pugetsound.edu/), an open-access textbook by Robert Hutchinson. * [Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People](http://tobyrush.com/theorypages/index.html), convenient one-page summaries written by Toby Rush, covering freshman and sophomore theory. * [Open Music Theory](http://openmusictheory.com), an open-access online textbook * [teoria.com](http://teoria.com/), lessons and exercises for theory and ear training. * [Hex Music Theory](https://hexmusictheory.com/), YouTube videos, analyses, and supplemental materials for a wide variety of theoretical applications. From popular music to classical, guitar stuff, schema theory, Taneyev-style counterpoint, and more. * [Dave Conservatoire](http://www.daveconservatoire.org/), a Khan Academy style website. --- Books * Christensen, Lars. [The Cambridge History of Western Music Theory](https://www.examenapium.it/cs/biblio/Christensen2002.pdf) --- Notation software * [Musescore](https://musescore.com/) * [flat.io](https://flat.io/) --- Other programs * [Audio Timeliner](https://www.singanewsong.org/audiotimeliner/download.html), analysis graphing software by Brent Yorgason. --- Online Tools * [Juicio Brennan's Lyric Hyphenator](https://juiciobrennan.com/hyphenator/) - Automatically hyphenates lyrics. Saves time when copy-pasting into notation programs. * [PC Set-Class Calculator](https://www.mta.ca/pc-set/calculator/pc_calculate.html) - By David Walters at Mount Alison University. * [TrainedEar PC Set-Class Calculator](https://www.trainedear.net/other/pc-set-class-calculator/) - Another set calculator. Has links to more such tools. * [ToneSavvy](https://tonesavvy.com/music-practice-exercises/) - Exercises for many normal music theory things, but notable for its [first species counterpoint trainer](https://tonesavvy.com/music-practice-exercise/241/first-species-counterpoint-game/). * [Artusi: Counterpoint](https://www.artusimusic.com/assignments/1473/artusi_main_any_ps009/) - A demo of the Artusi software, but it has some exercises in counterpoint up to fourth species with decent error detection. * [WesterParse - Westergaardian Species Counterpoint Online](https://hdw.wustl.edu/news/westergaardian-species-counterpoint-online) - Software based on the counterpoint rules of [Peter Westergaard](http://library.lol/main/593590BC0F355EC7FF2B718F2CB9FAEB). Not as straightforward as the other counterpoint tools on this list, but certainly more flexible and robust. --- YouTube channels * [Alan Belkin](https://www.youtube.com/@alanbelkin9272/videos) - classical composition and orchestration * [Bill Carmody](https://www.youtube.com/@Music4Theory/videos) - Music Theory chapter reviews of "Music in Theory and Practice" by Benward and Saker. * [David Newman](https://www.youtube.com/@DavidNewmanFunctionalSolfege/videos) - ear training and musicianship * [Dr. B / Christopher Brellochs](https://www.youtube.com/@ChristopherBrellochs/videos) - undergraduate theory and ear training * [Early Music Sources](https://www.youtube.com/@EarlyMusicSources/videos) - counterpoint, Renaissance and Baroque music * [En blanc et noir](https://www.youtube.com/@enblancetnoir7516) - Partimento, classical improvisation * [GUIM](https://www.youtube.com/@GUIM1797/videos) - Schenkerian analysis of video game music (VGM) * [Jacob Gran](https://www.youtube.com/@JacobGran/videos) - species counterpoint, Schenkerian analysis * [Jay Beard Music](https://www.youtube.com/@jaybeardmusic8074/videos) - atonal, set theory, Scriabin * [Jens Larsen](https://www.youtube.com/@JensLarsen/videos) - jazz guitar * [Kent Hewitt](https://www.youtube.com/@KentHewittpiano88/videos) - jazz piano * [Metal Music Theory](https://www.youtube.com/@metalmusictheory5401/videos) - self-explanatory * [Music Matters](https://www.youtube.com/@MusicMattersGB/videos) - ABRSM and undergaduate music theory, as well as various other topics * [NAETE](https://www.youtube.com/@NAETEMUSIC/videos) - various pop and classical music topics * [Orchestration Online](https://www.youtube.com/@OrchestrationOnline/videos) - orchestration * [The Prog School](https://www.youtube.com/@TheProgSchool/videos) - progressive rock and metal composition * [Ryan Leach](https://www.youtube.com/@RyanLeach/videos) - composition, film and video game music (VGM), classical form * [Samuel Andreyev](https://www.youtube.com/@samuel_andreyev/videos) - 20th century composition and analysis * [Seth Monahan](https://www.youtube.com/@SethMonahan/videos) - undergraduate theory * [Signals Music Studio](https://www.youtube.com/@SignalsMusicStudio/videos) - pop and rock music, production * [Sideways](https://www.youtube.com/@Sideways440/videos) - various topics, film music * [Things I Learned from Barry Harris](https://www.youtube.com/@thingsivelearnedfrombarryh2616/videos) - jazz guitar * [Walk That Bass](https://www.youtube.com/@WalkThatBass/videos) - jazz piano * [8-bit Music Theory](https://www.youtube.com/@8bitMusicTheory/videos) - video game music (VGM) ::: spoiler spoiler ___ ::: ::: spoiler spoiler ___ :::
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Hey. Since /music appears to be mostly for sharing music, i thought i'd crosspost my chart here. Please, point out any mistakes in it. Again, apologies if you've already seen it over there. I clarified / added to it a bit since then (eg. major scale steps and degrees, interval inversions). Thanks. Edit: thank you for the upvotes! It makes me happy. Hopefully, this means there isn't any major mistakes. (I was wondering eg. about my decision to group both major and minor scale degrees on equal footing under the three harmonic function groups.) Edit: updated url. cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/39613491 > Hey. > > > Maybe you will like it. > > > I apologize for reposting it from another service; my account there had been limited for some time after registration, resulting, i believe, in my post not reaching people who had subscribed to its tags; and i suppose it is not wrong to want to reach some people once one has decided to post something in the first place. Anyway, sorry about that. > > > Thank you.
Iโm pimping another community that focuses on writing songwriting, I hope that is okay. I created https://lemmy.world/c/songaweek which is modeled after the reddit sub songaweek. Every Thursday a new theme is posted. We all spend the next week writing a new song. By Thursday we have our song as done as we can get it and then we post it here for everyone to hear. We then will give feedback on the song, no negative critiques please. These songs were written, recorded and mixed in 7 days. We want to encourage song writing. Your song does not need to use the provided theme, write about about whatever you want. The provided theme is just to get you started. This weeks theme is the chord progression i-VII-VI-V. Iโd love to see all of you there. https://lemmy.world/post/1884588
What are your experiences with self-teaching music theory? You don't have to be a 100% autodidact to answer this question; you probably have had times when you read a book or watched a video to learn some specific idea or technique. Ideally, I'd like to compile some guides for readers who don't have a teacher. Personally, I prefer close reading of books and articles, but I know that's hardly a universal approach.
A thesis lecture on partimento and schema in guitar music, including Rule of the Octave. Slides: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ad1humm0p24knp2/AACfVw3hQInIOmDxWbgpJIZza?dl=0
Hi all, I'm not a musician, but this seems to be the place to ask this question, as I guess it's about music theory? If I'm in the wrong place apologies! I have been getting into a lot of (predominantly Scottish) folk music lately, and I've noticed an odd thing about a lot of tracks. They will start off one way, and about half way through the tone of the music changes completely. It's almost as if the artists have just strung two different melodies together into one track. Here's a couple of examples: At [~2:25](https://open.spotify.com/track/546f0Vm4zDzVCxAEQTxaOO?si=L2yLQtUHR6uS2_J23Rho2w) And here at [~3:00](https://open.spotify.com/track/3BJj4eYiI8AtX65HXT0P1w?si=JaQ3szYbSOG-oZrxzFwiKQ) Here's an example from a non Scottish folk artist. At [~1:50](https://open.spotify.com/track/1qeKs5QGKPHNvAx2R0bb2i?si=fSoV_03CQe6GZ-OvHonoKQ) The last one is interesting because the name of the track is "The wedding / Because he was" Which implies that it is indeed two separate pieces of music rolled into one track. Is there a name for this sort of transition? It's obviously not all folk music I listen to, but I've never really came across this jarring change in melody in other genres (unless I just haven't been looking hard enough!) If it does have a name it may help me to find more of this style of music, because u really do quite like it when a track does this! Cheers in advance for any help!
I asked ChatGPT about a five years music theory and music education course from beginners (not necessarily children, but they would be the main focus for the first two to three years). There would be 30 lessons per year. Thoughts? Here's a breakdown of the knowledge that students should aim to achieve in each of the five years of the music theory and appreciation course, divided into music theory, music history, and ear training categories: Year 1: Music Theory: Introduction to staff notation and reading music in treble clef. Understanding basic rhythms, including whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, and eighth notes. Identification and understanding of major scales and key signatures. Introduction to intervals (e.g., major 2nd, minor 3rd) and basic chord construction (major and minor triads). Introduction to basic time signatures and simple meter. Basic understanding of musical symbols, dynamics, and articulations. Music History: Overview of major music periods (e.g., Baroque, Classical, Romantic). Introduction to significant composers and their works from each period. Familiarity with key musical genres and forms (e.g., symphony, concerto, sonata). Exploration of musical characteristics and stylistic elements from different periods. Understanding the role of music in society and culture throughout history. Ear Training: Development of relative pitch and recognition of major and minor scales. Identification of basic intervals (e.g., perfect 5th, major 3rd) by ear. Recognition and reproduction of basic rhythms and melodic patterns. Development of tonal memory and ability to sing or play back simple melodies. Year 2: Music Theory: Further exploration of key signatures, including minor keys and relative modes. Introduction to diatonic chord progressions and basic harmonic analysis. Understanding of more complex rhythmic patterns, including syncopation. Introduction to melodic and harmonic minor scales and their applications. Exploration of musical forms such as binary, ternary, and rondo. Introduction to more advanced music notation, including dynamics, articulations, and expression marks. Music History: In-depth study of major composers and their significant works. Exploration of specific musical styles within each period (e.g., Bach's fugues, Mozart's operas). Understanding the historical and cultural context that influenced music of each period. Study of important musical developments and innovations throughout history. Introduction to non-Western music traditions and their unique characteristics. Ear Training: Development of pitch recognition through melodic dictation exercises. Identification and reproduction of more complex intervals and chords. Recognition and reproduction of rhythmic patterns with varying subdivisions. Development of melodic dictation skills with longer and more intricate melodies. Introduction to basic chord progressions and harmonizing simple melodies by ear. Year 3: Music Theory: Advanced harmonic analysis, including secondary dominants and modulations. Introduction to chromaticism and altered chords. Exploration of more advanced scales and modes (e.g., pentatonic, blues, whole-tone). Introduction to counterpoint and voice leading principles. Study of musical texture and orchestration techniques. Introduction to musical analysis and score reading. Music History: Study of influential composers and compositions from different regions and cultures. Exploration of musical nationalism and its impact on various music styles. Understanding the development of opera and other vocal forms. Investigation of significant music movements and their key figures (e.g., Impressionism, Expressionism). Study of major works from the contemporary and modern music period. Ear Training: Advanced melodic and harmonic dictation exercises. Identification and reproduction of complex chords and chord progressions. Development of rhythmic dictation skills with polyrhythms and irregular meters. Introduction to aural analysis of musical forms and structures. Transcription of melodies and solos from recorded music. Year 4: Music Theory: Advanced modal harmony and modal mixture. Exploration of extended and altered chords (e.g., seventh chords, suspended chords). Introduction to advanced voice leading and counterpoint techniques. Study of advanced forms and compositional techniques (e.g., fugue, sonata-allegro). Understanding of chromatic harmony and chromatic modulation. Music History: In-depth study of contemporary and modern composers and their innovative works. Exploration of experimental and avant-garde music. Understanding of electronic music and its development. Investigation of cross-cultural influences and fusion in contemporary music. Study of film music and its role in enhancing storytelling. Ear Training: Advanced melodic and harmonic dictation with chromatic elements. Recognition and reproduction of complex rhythmic patterns and polyrhythms. Aural analysis of advanced musical forms and structures. Transcription and analysis of complex melodies and solos. Development of improvisation skills in different musical styles. Year 5: Music Theory: Advanced harmonic analysis and modulation techniques. Study of advanced contrapuntal techniques and composition. Exploration of non-functional harmony and atonality. Understanding of post-tonal music and serialism. Introduction to jazz harmony and improvisation. Music History: Study of contemporary music trends and movements. Investigation of minimalism and post-minimalism. Exploration of world music traditions and their integration into contemporary compositions. Understanding of music in the digital age and its impact on composition and performance. Overview of current music styles and trends. Ear Training: Advanced melodic and harmonic dictation in atonal and complex tonal contexts. Recognition and reproduction of complex and extended chords. Aural analysis of advanced rhythmic and metric structures. Transcription and analysis of intricate melodies and solos from different genres. Development of advanced improvisation skills in jazz and other contemporary styles.
[Audio here at 0โ36 (measure 20)](https://youtu.be/anku3l8Nff4?t=36) It seems to feature a Neapolitan sixth chord (which follows its applied dominant) and an applied Fr+6. Donโt hesitate to share your thoughts or correct any mistakes :)
A YouTube video about Adam Neely's selective presentation on classical musicians' rhythm, bullying of Adam Ragusea and subsequent failure to retract his fallacious claims, and potential plagiarism of Sideways.
Welcome to our community! I was a moderator and contributor at /r/musictheory on Reddit, and I'm hoping to build a robust place to discuss music theory here. Forums are always difficult to start, but I'm hoping that as more people find Lemmy, they'll discover this community and bring their knowledge, questions, and relevant things to share. If you have any suggestions for this place in the meantime, don't be shy. Cheers, X