Why should we know that a non-chord tone that follows a structural tone is called a passing tone. Or that a note that approaches my leap and leaves my step is called an appoggiatura. And that a note that approaches by step and leaves my leap is called an escape tone... etc. etc.
It just seems like meaningless information to me...
2007-08-07 15:32:04 · 8 answers · asked by smiley56 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Classical
If you think of music as being a language, then take it to it's logical conclusion by saying:
"Why should I know what the difference is between verbs, nouns and adjectives? Why should I learn proper punctuation? Who cares what the difference is between a simile and a metaphore? Man that sh** is boring".
You have the choice of being literate or illiterate in English as well as in music. But the minute you start to speak, everyone will know what your decision was. You won't fool anybody.
EDIT:
I have edited out the harsher language of my answer -- My apologies.
Not meaningless info if you learn these "treatments of dissonance" in the context of actually hearing them "in action". All theory is meaningless without reference what you are hearing. Even basic harmony is dry unless you can hear what's going on and THEN apply the proper nomenclature.
Keep up the study and the passion.
2007-08-07 16:00:36 · answer #1 · answered by glinzek 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have degrees in music theory, too, and while I agree that there is worth in knowing this stuff for the sake of knowing it, don't forget that this kind of "analysis" is directly applicable to performing musicians.
Knowing the difference between structural and non-structural tones allows the performer to distinguish between which notes are more important and which notes are less important. The passing tone is on a lower level of importance than either of the two chord tones surrounding it, and can serve to give direction to a phrase -- perhaps the performer will crescendo through this passing tone to its resolution?
But this doesn't mean that the structural tones are the only ones a performer should bring out in a performance. In fact, the opposite is often ture. For example, most appogiaturas will be given more emphasis by a performer than the actual chord tone.
It's only meaningless information if you don't know what to do with it. (or, if your teacher doesn't help you discover what to do with it!)
2007-08-08 11:14:10 · answer #2 · answered by Edik 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, since I have both undergrad and grad degrees in Music Theory, you know I will object! Is your approach INSTEAD that we should be ignorant of what is going on in a piece of music - that we should have the Voice of Angels as inspiration, and somehow, magically, arrive at a good performance?? If you are content to slog thru life without knowing or understanding how beauty is created, then that may be fine for you. At a recent wine tasting, the leader said that if you CANNOT TELL a $5 bottle from a $50 bottle, then don't worry about it - keep drinking the $5 bottles, and LEAVE THE GOOD STUFF for the rest of us! So - stay ignorant. Those of us who have skills and KNOW what is going on will take all the gigs. You will work at Sears. You will not understand WHY you got left behind . .
2007-08-07 22:40:17 · answer #3 · answered by Mamianka 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It helps us understand why we listen to and view music in a certain way. A perfect example is this. I was watching a movie, and over and over throughout the movie, the soundtrack would do the 2nd of a chord the 7th below that (just on the other side of tonic) and every time they did that, I and other people would hum the tonic note, even if they weren't musicians. Why? Because those two tones in sequence (a Neighbor Group for you theorists) have trained people in Western cultures to identify the tonic of a chord. It's been doing it for over 400 years. This way we understand why we do things or expect certain things in music.
2007-08-08 01:10:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Smiley- I see that mamianka and glinzek have pretty well trounced on you, understandably, with both feet. Those of us on this forum who have spent the many hours of practice and study necessary to learn our craft can sometimes get quite testy about it.
Simply put, melodic and harmonic analysis helps you to understand how music is constructed and this "meaningless information" is necessary for an educated musician to be able to compose or to perform and conduct music from the various musical eras properly. It also necessary in order to communicate in a knowledgeable way with other musicians.
Best wishes in your quest.
Musician, composer, teacher.
2007-08-08 01:29:00 · answer #5 · answered by Bearcat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that "that a note that approaches my leap and leaves my step" is a lot harder to say than "appoggiatura".
Unless you are implying metaphysical concerns about why should things have names. In that case Philospophy is your field, not Music.
2007-08-08 06:13:42 · answer #6 · answered by krncthl 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it allows you to identify pieces way more easier, plus it allows for even more enjoyment of classical music!
2007-08-07 23:07:30 · answer #7 · answered by Redeemer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yup, to me too.
2007-08-07 22:35:17 · answer #8 · answered by batouttahell 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋