Music Theory is the study of actual practices as well as hypothetical possibilities of music. It is generally derived from observation of how musicians and composers actually make music, but may also include speculative considerations. Most commonly, the term describes the academic discipline of the analysis of fundamental elements of music such as pitch, rhythm, harmony, and form, but it may also refer to a description, concept, or belief related to music. Because of the ever-expanding conception of what constitutes music[1] (see Definition of music), a more inclusive definition would be that music theory is the consideration of any sonic phenomena, including silence, as it relates to music. Although music theory is often written, it need not be. Its development, preservation, and transmission may be found in oral and practical music-making traditions, and musical instruments. Ancient instruments from Egypt and China, and prehistoric sites in Germany and Ireland reveal details about the music they produced and thereby, the musical theory used to make them (see History of music and Musical instrument). For example, a 35,000 year-old flute made of bone from a vulture found in Germany has four finger holes which produce harmonic tones,[2] thereby indicating consideration of intervals, scale, aesthetics and other aspects of music theory.[3] In Africa, China, Japan, the Middle East, and India,[4] the deep and long roots of music theory are clearly visible in instruments, oral traditions, and current music making. Many cultures around the world and through the ages, at least as far back as ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt[5][6] have considered music theory in more formal ways such as written treatises and notation. To name a few of the major contributors to the field, the ancient Greeks Archytas, Aristotle, Aristoxenus, Eratosthenes, Plato, Pythagoras, and later Ptolemy; in the Middle Ages of Europe, Boethius, Franco of Cologne, Guido of Arezzo, Hucbald of Saint-Amand, Jacob of Liège, Jean de Muris; later in Europe, Zarlino, Rameau, Werckmeister, Fux; more recently, Riemann, Schenker, Boulanger, and Schoenberg (see List of music theorists); in India, Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande, Purandara Dasa, Sharngadeva; in the Middle East, Ibn Misjah, Ibrahim al- Mawsili and his son Ishaq, Yunus al-Katib, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina (known in Europe as Avicenna);[7] in China, Confucius, Yong Menzhoue and Cao Rou. Fundamentals of music Main article: Aspect of music Music is composed of phenomena of sound and “music theory” considers how those phenomena are and can be used in music. In the most general sense, “music theory” considers elements of music including, but not limited to pitch, harmony, rhythm, melody, texture, form, performance, and style.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 11:12:53 +0000
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