First Aid for Struggling Students

Contents Journal Index First Aid Instructional Papers Forum

first aid for struggling students

You have come to the right place for help with music theory! The First Aid for Struggling Students chapters present strategies for thinking about and understanding each concept of music theory listed below. The materials are not intended to be comprehensive treatises about music theory, but quick helps to set you on the road to understanding. The chapters are indexed according to a common sequence of topics in a theory curriculum. Therefore, if you are a second semester sophomore, scroll down the table of contents to find the subjects you need. Click on the chapter below that you wish to view.

We suggest you start with the Basic Assumptions page.

Usage Note: In the body of the chapters, underlined words in blue display definitions on mouseover. Hover the cursor over the word and the definition will be displayed in a box. These are also hyperlinks that lead to a glossary.

Additional Note: If you would like to purchase additional tutorial materials that augment this tutorial, drop us a note. Also, let us know if this site met your needs. Send e-mail to: mailroom@musictheoryresources.com.

If you are looking for help with Schenkerian Analysis, check out SchenkerGUIDE.com.

If you are still in need of assistance, you can try TonalityGUIDE.com.

table of contents

Basic assumptions in music theory of the common practice era

Section 1: Tonal Music Theory

Rhythm
Intervals
Key and Scale
Triads and key
Seventh Chords
Non-harmonic tones
Roman numeral and figured bass 1
Dominant-tonic function
Secondary dominants
Modulation
Augmented Sixth Chords
Neapolitan Sixth Chords

Voice Leading (Tonality Guide website)

Section 2: Chromatic Harmony

Borrowed chords
Mediants
Special uses of diminished sevenths
Chromatic non-harmonic tones
Roman numeral and figured bass 2

Section 3: The 20th Century

Introduction to set theory
Rhythm and form
Twelve tone theory
   The matrix or array, permutations
    In practice
Rhythmic issues
    Polyrhythm
    Metric modulation
    Meter

Section 4: Form

Basic Assumptions concerning form
Motive, Phrase and Period
Cadence
Binary form
Ternary form
Rounded binary form
Sonata form
Rondo form
Theme and variation
Dance forms
Moment form

Section 5: Analysis

Basic assumptions and procedures
Harmony
Form and rhythm
Melody
Timbre
Schenkerian Analysis

Section 6: Bibliography

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