Music Theory feature articles
Getting startedHarmonic rules for the Ionian and Dorian modes - Harmony Basics - Part 50
In the previous articles we began to study the different means to identify modes. As we continue our way into the depths of modal harmony, today we'll start discovering the harmonic rules that determine these modes.
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Other methods to identify modes - Harmony Basics - Part 49
In the previous article we started to see how you can differentiate modes from each other. And we'll keep on doing the same today.
- Getting started
Characteristic notes in the modal system - Harmony Basics - Part 48
After the very brief historical and philosophical considerations of the previous article, it's time to get back to more concrete aspects.
- Getting started
Historical and philosophical perspectives on modes - Harmony Basics - Part 47
In the previous article, I introduced you to modal harmony and recovered, with a slight change of perspective, the concepts of mode, scale and key you saw at the beginning of this series. Before continuing with technical explanations, I thought it would be interesting to put forth some brief historical and philosophical considerations about modes.
- Getting started
Introduction to modes and modal harmony - Harmony Basics - Part 46
Today I invite you to continue on this harmonic trip with a completely new topic. But it's not just any topic! In fact, it might just shatter some of your most deeply entrenched beliefs and fundamental certainties regarding harmony! Let me introduce you to modes and modal harmony!
- Getting started
Voicings for piano (end) - Harmony Basics - Part 45
As you already saw, due to orchestration (delegating the root to the instrument carrying the bass line) or simplification (making voicings lighter), you can take away all sort of notes from your voicings, according to your needs. At the same time, in the last couple of articles, I have striven to present to you more concrete examples of the theo...
- Getting started
Voicings for piano (continued) - Harmony Basics - Part 44
In the previous article we started to discuss how to apply to the piano everything you've seen so far regarding voicings. Today we'll continue doing the same.
- Getting started
Left-hand voicings for piano - Harmony Basics - Part 43
Today I will change a bit the usual approach of this article series. What I intend to do this time is to leave aside the purely theoretical aspect and put into practice, in a very simple manner, what we've been discussing in the previous articles regarding voicings.
- Getting started
Voicings and cadences - Follow-up and end - Harmony Basics - Part 42
The present article closes the mini-series we started with article 39 focusing on the use of voicings within the most common cadences. And we'll finish studying voicings based on added-tone chords looking at the interrupted cadence and rhythm changes. Let's go!
- Getting started
Voicings and cadences - Second-to-last installment - Harmony Basics - Part 41
With this article we close the chapter on voicings within the framework of cadences by seeing how you can add tones to the cadence chords in the previous articles.
