An Introduction to Music Theory
Music is the art of arranging different sounds in sequence through the components of harmony, melody, tempo, and rhythm. It’s one of the most universal artistic aspects of all human cultures. While the basic elements of music can be identified and described (tone, melody, tempo, structure), music theory deals with the most complex elements like timing, tonal tension, texture, and dynamics.
Musical concepts have evolved over time to produce a wide range of different genres. The most popular music genres are rock/ Rap/ Hip Hop, Western Music, Classical, New Age, Post-punk, Reggae, and Alternative. But music has a much wider scope. It can be spoken, sung, played on the piano, in a band, or as background noise in an auditorium. Some types of music are used in television, in advertisements, in cinema, or in live theaters and other venues.
Music is used in almost every public sphere, from advertising to education. Music conveys meanings and ideas that communicate messages about the world and human beings to each other. It can convey information about love, hate, happiness, sadness, anxiety, anger, fear, stress, and grief. The variety of sounds and tones makes music very appealing.
Like all the other branches of study, music theory has developed gradually from a few scattered ideas over a long period of time. As time passed by, more theories and concepts emerged and were supported by more research and experimentation. There are many factors that influence the development of music theory. They include artistic impressions, the evolution of technology, changes in social life, changes in medicine, change in popular taste, changes in the structure of markets, and influences of commercial activities.
Most of the critics believe that some of the innovations in music, like electronic gadgets, better recording technology, and new methods of entertainment like video games and internet have contributed largely to its wide spread. However, these factors also serve as strong limiting factors. People are now becoming more sensitive about the kind of music they listen to. The increasing popularity of rock and roll, folk music, punk, country, as well as jazz music is an indication of the changing taste of people.
Music theory is an interesting subject, concerned with the way people understand, experience, and express music. It studies the different manifestations of music. The various approaches and concepts include expressive theory, tonal theory, rhythmic theory, structural description, tonal expression, articulation, texture, articulation practice, voice, form, tonal variation, ensemble, and form. The main areas of research include: Performance, Audience, Education, Popular Music, Theory, Musical Analysis, Phenomenology, Reference Material, Analysis, and Musical Practice.