Music theory

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Draft

## Contents

* 1 Introduction
* 2 The circle of fifth
* 3 Chord names and symbols
* 4 Resources for learning music theory
* 4.1 General
* 4.2 Jazz improvisation
* 4.3 Harmony
* 4.4 Other

## 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

|
|
|
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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 CΔ9
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 CØ7
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]