What's a 12 bar blues? Well it's l-lV-l-V-lV-l.
In the Key of C major l=C, lV=F, and V=G.
Here's a look at a 12 bar blues C Major using 7th chords in root position:
Measure 1 Tonic = l Chord / CEGBb
Measure 2 Subdominant = lV Chord / FACEb
Measure 3 Tonic = l Chord / CEGBb
Measure 4 Tonic = l Chord / CEGBb
Measure 5 Subdominant = lV Chord / FACEb
Measure 6 Subdominant = lV Chord / FACEb
Measure 7 Tonic = l Chord / CEGBb
Measure 8 Tonic = l Chord / CEGBb
Measure 9 Dominant = V Chord / GBDF
Measure 10 Subdominant = lV Chord / FACEb
Measure 11 Tonic = l Chord / CEGBb
Measure 12 Tonic or Dominant = l or V Chord / CEGBb or GBDF
Coming soon - how to use these chord changes in a song.
Thanks for reading,
John
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
ROMAN NUMERAL ANALYSIS
Hoday,
Roman numeraly analysis is probably the single most important function of music theory. It can identify how a song is composed, help you memorize music, and help you compose your own music. It can be complex and simple. As an undergrad you will be exposed to four levels of theory. Level one is usually in the first semester and level two, three, and four in your next three semesters or quarters.
As stated in the last blog roman numerals are used to identify triads of the major and minor scale. But they are also used to analyze music. For example if you look at the 12 bar blues you can identify how to play the song in any key of you understand its roman numeral analysis.
In addition if you take one of your pieces and identify the chords and the scale degree of the chord, you may just find out how the piece was composed. I wouldn't suggest analyzing your Mozart Requiem just yet however. You may be able to play it now but some pieces of music may be on a theory four level while you're still in theory one - but it's fun to try and if you get stuck, just ask!
Thanks for reading,
John
Roman numeraly analysis is probably the single most important function of music theory. It can identify how a song is composed, help you memorize music, and help you compose your own music. It can be complex and simple. As an undergrad you will be exposed to four levels of theory. Level one is usually in the first semester and level two, three, and four in your next three semesters or quarters.
As stated in the last blog roman numerals are used to identify triads of the major and minor scale. But they are also used to analyze music. For example if you look at the 12 bar blues you can identify how to play the song in any key of you understand its roman numeral analysis.
In addition if you take one of your pieces and identify the chords and the scale degree of the chord, you may just find out how the piece was composed. I wouldn't suggest analyzing your Mozart Requiem just yet however. You may be able to play it now but some pieces of music may be on a theory four level while you're still in theory one - but it's fun to try and if you get stuck, just ask!
Thanks for reading,
John
Thursday, January 11, 2007
ROMAN NUMERALs
Welcome,
One of the elements of college education you will encounter is the use of roman numerals. Western music uses the roman numeral system to identify chord qualities like major, minor, diminished. And they also identify scale degrees of the chord qualities like 7ths, 13ths, 9s, etc.
Major and Minor scales have 8 notes with 8 triads. Each triad in the scale is either going to be major, minor, or diminished.
In major, the chord qualities are as follows:
Do = major, Re = minor, Mi = major, Fa = major, So = major, La = minor, Ti or Si = diminshed
In minor, the chord qualities are as follows:
Do = minor, Re = diminished, Mi = major, Fa = minor, So = major, La = major, Ti = major
Roman Numerals to the C major scale.
C is the first note of the scale and it is major. The triad is C-E-G and it is identified as "l"
D is the second note of the scale and it is minor. The triad is D-F-A and it is identified as "ii"
E is the third note of the scale and it is minor. The triad is E-G-B and it is identified as "iii"
F is the fourth note of the scale and it is major. The triad is F-A-C and it is identified as "lV"
G is the fifth note of the scale and is major. The triad is G-B-D and it is identified as "V"
A is the sixth note of the scale and is minor. The triad is A-C-E and it is identified as "vi"
B is the seventh note of the scale and is dimished. The triad is B-D-F and it is identified as "viiº"
Roman Numerals to the C minor scale.
C is the first note of the scale and it is minor. The triad is C-Eb-G and it is identified as "i"
D is the second note of the scale and it is diminished. The triad is D-F-Ab and it is identified as "iiº"
Eb is the third note of the scale and it is major. The triad is Eb-G-Bb and it is identified as "lll"
F is the fourth note of the scale and it is minor. The triad is F-Ab-C and it is identified as "iv"
G is the fifth note of the scale and is minor. The triad is G-B-D and it is identified as "V" (remember to raise the leading tone)
Ab is the sixth note of the scale and is major. The triad is Ab-C-Eb and it is identified as "Vl"
Bb is the seventh note of the scale and is major. The triad is Bb-D-F and it is identified as "Vll"
*Note: Always raise the leading tone in minor to make a major chord. More on that later!
You will need to memorize this system because it is referred to throughout your entire musical education.
John
One of the elements of college education you will encounter is the use of roman numerals. Western music uses the roman numeral system to identify chord qualities like major, minor, diminished. And they also identify scale degrees of the chord qualities like 7ths, 13ths, 9s, etc.
Major and Minor scales have 8 notes with 8 triads. Each triad in the scale is either going to be major, minor, or diminished.
In major, the chord qualities are as follows:
Do = major, Re = minor, Mi = major, Fa = major, So = major, La = minor, Ti or Si = diminshed
In minor, the chord qualities are as follows:
Do = minor, Re = diminished, Mi = major, Fa = minor, So = major, La = major, Ti = major
Roman Numerals to the C major scale.
C is the first note of the scale and it is major. The triad is C-E-G and it is identified as "l"
D is the second note of the scale and it is minor. The triad is D-F-A and it is identified as "ii"
E is the third note of the scale and it is minor. The triad is E-G-B and it is identified as "iii"
F is the fourth note of the scale and it is major. The triad is F-A-C and it is identified as "lV"
G is the fifth note of the scale and is major. The triad is G-B-D and it is identified as "V"
A is the sixth note of the scale and is minor. The triad is A-C-E and it is identified as "vi"
B is the seventh note of the scale and is dimished. The triad is B-D-F and it is identified as "viiº"
Roman Numerals to the C minor scale.
C is the first note of the scale and it is minor. The triad is C-Eb-G and it is identified as "i"
D is the second note of the scale and it is diminished. The triad is D-F-Ab and it is identified as "iiº"
Eb is the third note of the scale and it is major. The triad is Eb-G-Bb and it is identified as "lll"
F is the fourth note of the scale and it is minor. The triad is F-Ab-C and it is identified as "iv"
G is the fifth note of the scale and is minor. The triad is G-B-D and it is identified as "V" (remember to raise the leading tone)
Ab is the sixth note of the scale and is major. The triad is Ab-C-Eb and it is identified as "Vl"
Bb is the seventh note of the scale and is major. The triad is Bb-D-F and it is identified as "Vll"
*Note: Always raise the leading tone in minor to make a major chord. More on that later!
You will need to memorize this system because it is referred to throughout your entire musical education.
John
Saturday, January 6, 2007
IN COMPOSING, LESS IS MORE
Welcome!
When it comes to writing music there are some basic elements that can be used to quickly bring the piece together. The first and foremost is to have a scheme of notes, melodic content, or rhythmic content.
One of my composition professors at Metro State gave me some great ideas that really helped bring continuity to my compositions. His plan was simple. ABAC | BACA | ACAB | CABA So what does this mean? Well, try coming up with one plan of notes like 0126 in a set theory type of motive. Then make a melodic line from those notes by using various note values i.e., quarter note, half note, whole note, eighth note - but don't forget about using rests as music too!
Once you come up with a melodic line that seems to work for you then you'll have the "A" part done. The next step is to retrograde those notes - now you have the "B" part! Then repeat "A" part. Then invert the "A" part and you'll have the "C" part.
Now you're on your way to composing! You now have a melodic line that alters itself a little and should sound pretty good. You may also alter the notes at this point and use your ear to mold it. Once you have done that then you can expand the parts by switching them around like above. ABAC | BACA | ACAB | CABA. By the time you do this, you will have enough material to start harmonizing your lines. The beautiful thing about this method is that you can apply it to all kinds of musical aspects; rhythm, harmony, melody, solo, instrumentation, counterpoint, and even symphonic composition.
Next time I'll go into ideas about how to harmonize.
Later, Thanks for Reading
John
When it comes to writing music there are some basic elements that can be used to quickly bring the piece together. The first and foremost is to have a scheme of notes, melodic content, or rhythmic content.
One of my composition professors at Metro State gave me some great ideas that really helped bring continuity to my compositions. His plan was simple. ABAC | BACA | ACAB | CABA So what does this mean? Well, try coming up with one plan of notes like 0126 in a set theory type of motive. Then make a melodic line from those notes by using various note values i.e., quarter note, half note, whole note, eighth note - but don't forget about using rests as music too!
Once you come up with a melodic line that seems to work for you then you'll have the "A" part done. The next step is to retrograde those notes - now you have the "B" part! Then repeat "A" part. Then invert the "A" part and you'll have the "C" part.
Now you're on your way to composing! You now have a melodic line that alters itself a little and should sound pretty good. You may also alter the notes at this point and use your ear to mold it. Once you have done that then you can expand the parts by switching them around like above. ABAC | BACA | ACAB | CABA. By the time you do this, you will have enough material to start harmonizing your lines. The beautiful thing about this method is that you can apply it to all kinds of musical aspects; rhythm, harmony, melody, solo, instrumentation, counterpoint, and even symphonic composition.
Next time I'll go into ideas about how to harmonize.
Later, Thanks for Reading
John
Monday, January 1, 2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Good Mornin'
You have a new opportunity to learn your art and become the musician you want to be. Last year is gone so let the past be the past, it's time to look at the future and make goals and resolutions.
Like many, I tend to think of the past more than the future. So my resolutions this year is that I will not let the past affect how I will decide my future. I will not let the past affect my confidence. I will not let the past affect saying the word "no." Make a plan, write it out, and stick to it.
We only have one life to live so take the risk of not knowing the outcoming by saying yes. Experience, bad or good, is experience from which we can learn.
Had enough of the cliche's? Then get out there and play ball!
Have a great year!
John
You have a new opportunity to learn your art and become the musician you want to be. Last year is gone so let the past be the past, it's time to look at the future and make goals and resolutions.
Like many, I tend to think of the past more than the future. So my resolutions this year is that I will not let the past affect how I will decide my future. I will not let the past affect my confidence. I will not let the past affect saying the word "no." Make a plan, write it out, and stick to it.
We only have one life to live so take the risk of not knowing the outcoming by saying yes. Experience, bad or good, is experience from which we can learn.
Had enough of the cliche's? Then get out there and play ball!
Have a great year!
John
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