There are fifteen major keys though there are only 12 chromatic notes. That is because three keys are enharmonic. The keys move from the...

The ii-V-I and ii°-V-I (minor) progression in jazz is one of the most fundamental and important progressions. This progression suggests 3...

Building on the Intervals and Scales post, which can be viewed here. Let’s examine chord structure for the Major scale, specifically triads. Below are the scale degrees and their names for C Ionian. Notes can be played melodically (horizontal) or harmonically (vertical). 3 or more notes played harmonically together are called a chord. There are a plethora of chords, from triads to thirteenths. Extensions are when you add a 9th, 11th, or 13th above the seventh of the chord.

We will do a Pitch Class Analysis of What a Difference a Day Made. For an over of Pitch Class Set Theory see my post here. The song was...

Intervals are the building block of music. If we look at the chromatic scale there are 12 possible pitches each a semitone or half-step apart. Lets say the chromatic scale starts on C a semitone or half-step away would be C# or Db. Lets take a look at the scale going up and down. C# and Db are enharmonic equivalent as they have the same pitch but are notated differently. The basis for notation depends on alteration and direction of resolution. There are 5 different qualities

We will do a Pitch Class Analysis of Autumn Leaves including the first and second verse and the bridge. For an over of Pitch Class Set Theory see my post here. Autumn Leaves was a French song composed by Joseph Kosma in 1945. It was adapted to English lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The first verse when you do pitch class analysis (no duplicates) includes the following notes when analyzed in the key of B minor. C#, D, E, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B. The integers when set to C as zero are i

Pitch class set theory offers a unique analytical approach for examining a specific set of notes. A pitch class set, also known as a pc...

Chord inversions play a crucial role in harmony, adding variety and depth to music by changing the bass note of a chord to something...

There are seven major musical modes. If you start on C and work your way through, E, F, G, A, and B, they are respectively Ionian,...