Music theory

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Draft

Introduction[edit | edit source]

This page will shortly introduce some basic elements of music theory, in particular with the idea in mind to help people getting started in improvisation and accompaniment. We are particularly interested in educational aspects of music software and computer-enhanced or computer-driven instruments. As much as possible we shall point to external resources. EduTechWiki can't become a music wiki ;) - Daniel K. Schneider, 9 September 2011

The circle of fifth[edit | edit source]

The circle of fifth. Source: Wikipedia (click on the picture for details)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_fifth

Chord names and symbols[edit | edit source]

Some chord names (to be completed, this was taken from Yamaha CVP-509 digital piano)
Chord Name	Abbr.	Alt. Abbr	Normal (root position) voicing	C Example
1+8			1+8	C1+8
1+5			1+5	C1+5
Major		M or maj or Δ	1+3+5	C or CM or Cmaj or CΔ
Sixth	6	M6	1+(3)+5+6	C6 or CM6
Major seventh	M7	maj	1+3+(5)+7	CM7 or Cmaj7
Major seventh flatted fifth	M7b5		1+3+b5+7	CM7(b5)
Major seventh add sharp eleventh	M7(#11)		1+(2)+3+#4+5+7	CM7(#11)
Add ninth	(9)		1+2+3+5	Cadd9
Major seventh ninth	M7(9)	M⁹ or ^maj9	1+2+3+(5)+7	CM7(9) or CM⁹ or C^Δ9
Sixth ninth	6(9)		1+2+3+(5)+6	C6(9)
Flatted fifth	(b5)		1+3+b5	Cb5
Augmented	aug	+	1+3+#5	Caug or C+
Seventh augmented	7aug	⁺⁵	1+3+#5+b7	C7aug or CM7⁺⁵
Major seventh augmented	M7aug	+^M7 or ^+Δ	1+(3)+#5+7	CM7aug or C^+Δ
Minor	m	-	1+b3+5	Cm or C-
Minor sixth	m6		1+b3+5+6	Cm6
Minor seventh	m7	min7 or -7	1+b3+(5)+b7	Cm7 or Cmin7 or C-7
Minor seventh flatted fifth	m7b5	^Ø or ^Ø7	1+b3+b5+b7	Cm7(b5) or C^Ø7
Minor add ninth	m(9)		1+2+b3+5	Cm add9
Minor seventh ninth	m7(9)		1+2+b3+(5)+b7	Cm7(9)
Minor seventh eleventh	m7(11)		1+(2)+b3+4+5+(b7)	Cm7(11)
Minor major seventh flatted fifth	mM7b5		1+b3+b5+7	CmM7(b5)
Minor major seventh	mM7		1+b3+(5)+7	CmM7
Minor major seventh ninth	mM7(9)		1+2+b3+(5)+7	CmM7(9)
Diminished	dim	°	1+b3+b5	Cdim or C°
Diminished seventh	dim7	°7	1+b3+b5+6	Cdim7 or C°7
(Dominant) Seventh	7		1+3+(5)+b7	C7
Seventh suspended fourth	7sus4		1+4+5+b7	C7sus4
Seventh ninth	7(9)	⁹	1+2+3+(5)+b7	C7(9) or C⁹
Seventh add sharp eleventh	7(#11)		1+(2)+3+#4+5+b7	C7(#11)
Seventh add thirteenth	7(13)	¹³	1+3+(5)+6+b7	C7(13) or C¹³
Seventh flatted fifth	7b5		1+3+b5+b7	C7(b5)
Seventh flatted ninth	7(b9)		1+b2+3+(5)+b7	C7(b9)
Seventh add flatted thirteenth	7(b13)		1+3+5+b6+b7	C7(b13)
Seventh sharp ninth	7(#9)		1+#2+3+(5)+b7	C7(#9)
Suspended fourth	sus4		1+4+5	Csus4
One plus two plus five	sus2		1+2+5	Csus2
cancel			1+b2+2	Cancel

Wikipedia has a large set of articles about chords, in particular:

Chord names and symbols (jazz and pop music) (best information about chord names and symbols)
Musical chord
List of chords
Chord progression

Resources for learning music theory[edit | edit source]

General[edit | edit source]

Music Theory (Wikibook)
- Musiklehre für Hobbymusiker (German version)
- Bases de solfège (French version)

Jazz improvisation[edit | edit source]

Marc Sabetella, a Jazz music teacher an musician put together an outstanding set of educational materials available at outsideshore, in particular:

A Jazz Improvisation Primer (recommended)
A Jazz Improvisation Almanac (in progress)
The Harmonic Language Of Jazz Standards (some sample sections available)

Harmony[edit | edit source]

Chord names and symbols (jazz and pop music) (Wikipedia)
Harmony articles in Wikipedia

Other[edit | edit source]

Melody articles in Wikipedia
Rhythm articles in Wikipedia]