344 Answered Questions for the topic Theory

06/10/19

How to tell the time signature of a song by listening?
Every song has some kind of time signature; even if different parts of the song have different time signatures, there is always a time signature. When learning a song by ear and no score, knowing... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/10/19

4/4 corresponds to 12/8 but 4/4 =/= 12/8?
How is it possible that a 4/4 signature corresponds to a 12/8 signature ? 4/4 is equal to 1 and 12/8 is more than 1 . If i try to divide a 1/4 in 3 notes i get 1/12, not 1/8 as the 12/8 should be.
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/10/19

Is interval always related to a scale?
Is music interval always a concept in terms of scales and do we always have to take the first note as tonic? What would be the interval between D note and E note in C major scale?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/09/19

What are the benefits of SQL Server schemas?
I'm no beginner to using SQL databases, and in particular SQL Server. However, I've been primarily a SQL 2000 guy and I've always been confused by schemas in 2005+. Yes, I know the basic... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/09/19

Does it really make difference to play a song in a different key?
I hear sometimes players and composers say that this song won't sound good in F Major for example, and you should play it or write it in G Major (this was just an example). In other words, it seems... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •2

06/08/19

What is a database transaction?
Can someone provide a straightforward explanation of a transaction as applied to computing?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/08/19

Does octave not matter when tuning?
Why does it not matter what octave you're tuning to? If you wind a string to two different octaves of the same note, surely it's going to have a big effect on the sound, no?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •2

06/08/19

(Post)-minimalist compositional techniques?
I was wondering if anyone out there knew of any techniques associated with the minimalist tradition. I've been really interested in the philosophical notion of minimalism over the last few months... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/06/19

Is window really global in Javascript?
Take this piece of Javascript in a browser: <script> console.log(window.someThing); var x = 12; function foo() { window.otherThing = x; } </script>Inside... more
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •1

06/05/19

A question regarding transposition and fugal answers?
Is it compulsory to introduce the answer of a fugue at +5 or -4 scale degrees relative to the home key? I'm not asking whether it's necessary to transpose the answer; my question is whether... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •2

06/05/19

Is it Acceptable to Build Chords on Accidental Notes in Classical Music?
I'm writing a clarinet solo with piano accompaniment in B minor. Is is normal to use a D minor chord (or just the first two notes) in classical music (specifically romantic)? I do have a regular... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •2
Theory Music Theory

06/05/19

Did the ancient Hebrew modal music precede the ancient Greek modes?
Did the ancient Hebrew modal music precede the ancient Greek modes?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/05/19

How to reference or calculate the percentage pitch change between two notes?
I'm building an arpeggiator software. So to start off I have a note for a piano sample, call it 'piano-base-note.mp3'. and I have a script to increase / decrease the pitch of an mp3 file by some... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/05/19

Does the bass note in a "slash" chord really have an associated interval?
I have a question about "slash" chords. Look at the chord E/G: <pre> E G♯ B G 1 3 5 ? </pre> G is the minor 3rd interval (♭3) in the key of E. However, I would have thought by... more
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •1

06/05/19

Is a whole note always four beats?
Is a whole note always four beats?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •2

06/04/19

Way to go from recursion to iteration?
I've used recursion quite a lot on my many years of programming to solve simple problems, but I'm fully aware that sometimes you need iteration due to memory/speed problems.So, sometime in the very... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/04/19

What are the different ways of adding non-diatonic chords?
I'm trying to add more detail to what I'm playing by using non-diatonic chords. So far the main ways I have found are: 1. Borrowing chords from parallel key (mode mixture) 2. Chromatic Mediants... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/04/19

Pentatonic Scale and Chord Qualities?
I am trying to play the pentatonic in the Key of G-Major. But like in Major scales we have the sequence Maj-min-min-Maj-Maj-min-dim, is there something for Pentatonic as well.?
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •1

06/04/19

Statistics about the frequency of different type of intervals?
Do you know if any statistics about the frequency of different type of intervals in music (of a certain period or by a specific composer) exist? For instance, suppose you have this piece of music... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/04/19

What are weak and strong chords?
I'm reading Jazz Theory by Stuart Smith. In the chapter on functional harmony the author introduces the notion of strong and weak chords: > I, II, and IV are generally treated as **strong... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/03/19

Odd and Even Harmonic Theory?
I've been thinking of ways to harmonize melodies. One of my ways is to not think in terms of the seven diatonic chords, but to just think of in terms of "odd chords" and "even chords". Let's say... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/03/19

Theory: How to tell major, minor, melodi, harmonic, natural apart?
I'm currently learning theory and need some help. I can't necessarily tell apart Major and Minor scales (from the key signature and the scales) nor can I tell the harmonic form. I remember my... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •2

06/03/19

Why is a Cadence important in music?
I'm confused as to what a cadence does. The only thing I understand is that like English it's a period in a sentence. Is that its primary purpose to separate pieces of thought? And how important is... more
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •2

06/03/19

What's the exact difference between modulation, key change and tonicisation?
I've always regarded a key change as the use of a completely different set of notes for the following music - definitely in a different key. Was in C, now is in C#, with no reason to suppose a... more
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •1

06/03/19

Ending a song with a dominant chord?
As far as i know, almost all songs end in the tonic chord, because this is the most "stable" condition. On the other hand, a dominant chord at the end of a progression (or song) sounds... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

Still looking for help? Get the right answer, fast.

Ask a question for free

Get a free answer to a quick problem.
Most questions answered within 4 hours.

OR

Find an Online Tutor Now

Choose an expert and meet online. No packages or subscriptions, pay only for the time you need.