INTRODUCTIONTO MUSIC THEORYFriday, October 19, 2012

TODAY:

Music Sharing! Review:

Pentatonic Scales (major & minor) The Blues Scale The 12–bar blues

New: (Last new material for this course!) Motives Introduction to musical form

AB (Binary) ABA (Ternary) Rondo

Information about Special Topics… Your questions!

What do you need help with? What are you unsure about?

To change a major scale into a blues scale, do the following: Completely remove the 2nd and 6th scale degrees Flat the 3rd and 7th scale degrees Add a flatted 5th before the regular 5th scale degree

C Major: C D E F G A B C C Blues: C Eb F Gb G Bb C

A blues scale only has SEVEN (7) pitches! The flatted notes (3, 5, 7) are often called “blue

notes”.

THE BLUES SCALE:

Technically speaking, any scale composed of five notes can be called a pentatonic scale (penta=five).

Learning only two different pentatonic scales will cover 99% of the playing situations that you will encounter. These two scales are referred to as the MAJOR PENTATONIC and the MINOR PENTATONIC.

The major pentatonic is built from these intervals: R-2-3-5-6

In the key of C, that would be: C-D-E-G-A

The minor pentatonic is built from these intervals: R-b3-4-5-b7

In the key of C, that would give us: C-Eb-F-G-Bb

THE PENTATONIC SCALE:

“The Blues” has its roots in America’s south, where musicians combined west African rhythms and gospel singing with European harmonies. The blues can often be found in jazz, rock, and pop music.

THE 12–BAR BLUES:

A blues chord progression is usually 12 measures (or bars) long. While there are many variations, a traditional blues progression generally consists of: the I chord (4 measures) the IV chord (2 measures) the 1 chord (2 measures) the V or V7 chord (1 measure) the IV chord (1 measure) The I chord (2 measures)

THE 12–BAR BLUES:

MOTIVE:

A short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic element that is used repeatedly throughout a piece of music.

Most music is based on the development or expansion of one or more motives.

PHRASE:

A short section of music that may be either a complete or incomplete musical idea. A phrase may contain one or more motives in their original form(s) or in some variation.

The end of a musical phrase provides a “lift” or breath for the singer or instrumentalist.

AB (BINARY) FORM:

A two–part form in which the musical material from the first (or “A”) section contrasts with the second (or “B”) section. Sometimes, the two sections may share a motive or end similarly, but each section is musically distinct from the other.

Verse/refrain (chorus)

ABA (TERNARY) FORM:

A three–part form that consists of two musically distinct sections (like AB form). In this form, however, there is “A” (statement of a musical idea), “B” (a contrasting statement of new musical material), and “A” (a restatement of the original “A” section.

One of the most common forms in music – used in all types of music from folk songs to symphonies.

RONDO FORM:

A form that consists of an “A” section alternating with other contrasting sections of musical material. “A” always comes back after each new section.

Most common rondo forms: ABABA ABACA ABACABA

SOME MUSIC HUMOR…

Q: What's the difference between trumpet players and government bonds?

A: Government bonds eventually mature and earn money.

Q: What do you call ten accordions at the bottom of the ocean? A: A good start.

Q: What's the definition of an alto? A: A soprano who can sight-read.