Music History & Music History & LiteratureLiterature

Musical SystemsMusical Systems

November 18, 2008November 18, 2008

Presented by Ms. AndersonPresented by Ms. Anderson

Chapter 17-Chapter 17-key points 1-2key points 1-2

An octave is the interval between An octave is the interval between two tones with the same name two tones with the same name that are seven diatonic pitches that are seven diatonic pitches apart (C to C). apart (C to C).

In Western music, the octave is In Western music, the octave is divided into twelve half steps. divided into twelve half steps.

Key point 3Key point 3

The chromatic scale is made up of The chromatic scale is made up of these twelve half steps in these twelve half steps in descending or ascending order, descending or ascending order, while a diatonic scale is built on while a diatonic scale is built on patterns of seven whole and half patterns of seven whole and half steps that make up major and steps that make up major and minor scales. minor scales.

Key points 4-5Key points 4-5

A sharp is a symbol that raises a A sharp is a symbol that raises a pitch by a half step; a flat lowers a pitch by a half step; a flat lowers a tone by a half step. tone by a half step.

Other scale types used around the Other scale types used around the world include tritonic (three-note world include tritonic (three-note patterns), pentatonic (five-note patterns), pentatonic (five-note patterns), and heptatonic (seven-patterns), and heptatonic (seven-note patterns other than major or note patterns other than major or minor). minor).

Key point 6Key point 6

Some world cultures use intervals Some world cultures use intervals smaller than half steps, known as smaller than half steps, known as microtones; some scales from microtones; some scales from other cultures—for example, other cultures—for example, Indian ragas—have extramusical Indian ragas—have extramusical associations. associations.

Chapter 18 – Chapter 18 – Major/MinorMajor/Minor Composers can shift the pitch level of an Composers can shift the pitch level of an

entire work (transposition), or change the entire work (transposition), or change the center, or key, during a work (modulation). center, or key, during a work (modulation).

The tonic chord, built on the first scale The tonic chord, built on the first scale tone, is the home base to which active tone, is the home base to which active chords (dominant, on V; subdominant, on chords (dominant, on V; subdominant, on IV) need to resolve. IV) need to resolve.

Composers change the key, or modulate, Composers change the key, or modulate, during a piece to create tension and during a piece to create tension and drama. drama.

ResourcesResources

www.wwnorton.com/college/musiwww.wwnorton.com/college/music/enj9/shorter/index.htmc/enj9/shorter/index.htm