Music Theory Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Music Theory?
Music Theory is the scientific study of how music works. It studies the structure, techniques, and properties of music and explores how to create, analyze, and appreciate it. Music Theory involves an understanding of melody, harmony, form/structure, rhythm/meter, instrumentation/orchestration, as well as a deep understanding of musical composition and its history.Music Theory teaches students about the different elements that make up a piece of music such as pitch (the highness or lowness of a note) and intervals (the distances between two notes). It also covers topics such as harmony (chords), scales (major & minor scales), melodic lines (melody), counterpoint (two melodies played simultaneously) and form/structure (how a piece is organized). Through studying these topics students gain an understanding of how to create their own music. In addition to composing music theory also looks at analyzing existing pieces in order to better understand them. This involves looking at why certain notes are used together in chords or phrases; what motivates certain musical choices; how musical ideas are developed over time through form; or why certain instruments were chosen for different sections in the piece. Finally Music Theory teaches students about appreciating existing compositions which can be done by exploring its history or by comparing it with other works from similar eras or genres. This helps give context for what was going on musically at the time it was composed and provides insight into why certain pieces were written in particular ways. Overall Music Theory is an important subject for anyone who wants to develop their skills in creating or appreciating music whether they’re an aspiring musician or just someone looking to have a better appreciation for it.