Music Matters
Combining Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales - Inside the Mind of Bach
How do you know when to use the harmonic or the melodic minor scale? Let's take a look at how Bach combines them in one of his chorale harmonization. We examine the choice of harmony and modulation, the part writing, the use of accented...
Odd Quartet
How to Harmonize a Melody
Today I want to talk about harmonizing a melody for a keyboard instrument. Harmonizing is just a fancy way of saying finding chords that go along with a melody (or bass line). First we will look at keyboard specific issues to keep in...
Music Matters
Using Sequence when Composing Music - Music Composition
How to use sequence as a compositional tool to expand a musical idea. This music composition begins with a simple four note idea. It then shows you how to build these four notes into a 16 bar piece using melodic and harmonic sequence....
Music Matters
How to use Neapolitan Chords in Minor Keys - Music Composition
How do you use Neapolitan chords in? How does a Neapolitan sixth chord resolve? What are the best approach chords to use before a Neapolitan? This music composition lesson explains the best ways to write approach chords to Neapolitan...
Two Minute Music Theory
Does This Chord Even Exist? - TWO MINUTE MUSIC THEORY #52
The I 6/4 chord as a part of an authentic cadence. Is it real? Will we ever find out? Does it actually exist? Okay, so obviously the chord exists. But, it plays a very particular function...and it's current label is a bit misleading. So,...
Music Matters
How to Realize Simple Figured Bass - Music Theory
How to realize and read diatonic chords in figured bass and how to play a short passage from a figured bass. This music theory lesson explains the figured bass system in relation to all the diatonic chords in root position, first...
Brian McLogan
Given the intersection of two chords not at the center find the measure of an arc
Learn how to solve problems with chords. A chord is a line that has its two endpoints on the circle. A chord passing through the center of the circle is refered to as the diameter of the circle. A chord divides the circle into two...
Music Matters
Modulation Using a Tritone - Music Theory
This music theory lesson demonstrates a method for delivering an extreme modulation a tritone away within a four bar phrase. Starting in C major the video shows how to move to F# major using an enharmonic equivalent of a German 6th chord...
Odd Quartet
How To Write A Melody for a Chord Progression
Last time we talked about finding chords that would go along with a melody. This time I want to switch things up and write a melody that goes with a set of chords.
Music Matters
How Motifs are Used in Baroque Style - Music Composition
This music composition lesson unpacks Bach’s Sinfonia in B minor, drawing attention to the three motifs used to compose this piece. The three motifs are unpacked and we explore both the differences and the common ground between them. We...
Two Minute Music Theory
Dominant Chords
The Dominant Chord (V) is the second most important chord in a key. Today we look at two chords (V, vii) that have the specific function of being Dominant Chords
Music Matters
Escape Notes (Non-Harmonic Tones) - Music Theory
This music theory lesson explains escape notes, what they are and how to use them. When it comes to inessential notes many musicians understand passing notes, understand auxiliary notes, and are happy about anticipatory notes. But what...
Music Matters
How to Recognise Modulation in a Piece of Music - Music Theory
How to recognise a modulation in music. This music theory lesson explains what constitutes modulation and works through a piece of music that contains several modulations. An analysis of chords, accidentals and cadences reveals the...
Two Minute Music Theory
My First Melody Was Boring. Let's Fix It.
I get a lot of questions about how to use music theory to write music. So, today I'm taking a look at a melody I wrote a long time ago to see how I can improve it using concept we learn in Theory I and II.
msvgo
Solving Linear Inequalities in One Variable
It explains and states rules to find the algebraic solutions of linear inequalities in one variable and represent the solution set graphically.
Music Matters
How to use Augmented 6th Chord in Major Keys - Music Composition
Learn how do to construct and use augmented 6th chords in major keys. This music composition lesson explains the best ways to write approach chords to Augmented 6th chords and the best ways to resolve them. After explaining how to form...
Music Matters
Use of 7th Chords - Inside the Mind of Bach
Find out how Bach makes use of seventh chords inside his music. Join us as we examine the choice of harmony and modulation, the part writing, the use of accented and unaccented passing notes, plus other features of the Bach Chorale...
Odd Quartet
Voice Leading Music Theory
Today we're going to look at voice leading. Voice leading is a way to get from chord to chord in music that makes it sound connected (and can make it easier for musicians to play). First, we will take a chord progression, add a bass line...
Brian McLogan
Find the value of x given two chords and arc measures
Learn how to solve problems with chords. A chord is a line that has its two endpoints on the circle. A chord passing through the center of the circle is refered to as the diameter of the circle. A chord divides the circle into two...
Two Minute Music Theory
How To Find The Key In Three EASY Steps
How To Find The Key In Three EASY Steps
Music Matters
How to Build Major and Minor Chords - Music Theory
Learn how to build and recognise major and minor chords. This music theory lesson teaches you how to construct major and minor chords above any given note. Two techniques are explained, one based on intervals and the other based on...
Music Matters
Writing BAD Four-Part Harmony?! - Music Composition
Writing bad four part harmony?! Lots of people manage part of the journey with four-part harmony then get stuck or struggle to develop an outcome that is musically satisfying. This music composition lesson starts with a piece of...
Two Minute Music Theory
What Are Secondary Dominants?
Secondary Dominants can be a little confusing. Why does the label look like a fraction? What does it mean to borrow a chord from another key? We'll talk about all of that today.