Music theory
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Introduction
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
The circle of fifth. Source: Wikipedia (click on the picture for details)
Chord names and symbols
| 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 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
General
- Music Theory (Wikibook)
- Musiklehre für Hobbymusiker (German version)
- Bases de solfège (French version)
Jazz improvisation
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
Other
- Melody articles in Wikipedia
- Rhythm articles in Wikipedia]