What does a little creek from the northern Midwest have in common with the pyramids in Egypt or with this little thing called a Cantus firmus? Well, let’s think about this for a second – this little creek in the middle of the northern Midwest eventually becomes the mighty Mississippi River – in fact, …
Why is a concept born out of a 16th century composer still relevant today? Why should we try to understand at least a LITTLE about counterpoint? So glad you asked! I didn’t start studying counterpoint until I was in my 50’s, for a simple reasons. I didn’t see the relevance, as I was a jazz/R&B …
What is a Mode?What is the Treble Clef staff?What’s a measure?What are these things called notes?What is a flat?What is a Sharp? Answer these questions and we are ready to begin composing. What is a Treble Clef Staff? In the beginning there were no staves (plural for staff). There were Nuemes, symbols placed above the …
There are two aspects of music theory – I like to think of them as performance-based and composer-based. Performance-Based (what a player needs to know) I sometimes refer to this aspect as the foundation and framing of a house. Every house that is built has the same basic elements if it is to stand …