Music theory

Basic music theory elements include the following topics:

Melody

• The musical scale
• Musical tuning and Temperament
• Music notation
• The harmonic series
• The math of the Western musical scale.
• The key.
• counterpoint in its various species
• scales (diatonic, modal, chromatic, and microtonal)

Harmony

• The chord
• The interval
• cadence
• inversion
• harmonic progressions
• additional discussion of scales
• counterpoint
• harmonic accompaniment
• figured bass

Rhythm

• Meter and the time signature.
• The measure.
• hemiolia
• syncopation

Timbre

• Musical instruments
• 'beating' of frequencies
• Electronic musical instruments (oscillators, MIDI gear, etc)
• Psychoacoustics

Orchestration

See also:

• music notation
• Musicology

Books:

The AB guides, written by Eric Taylor, are published by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, famous for their graded music examinations.

• The AB Guide to Music Theory, Part I; ISBN 1854724460
• The AB Guide to Music Theory, Part II; ISBN 1854724479

External links:

• Music Theory Online
• Computing in Musicology
• Journal of the Royal Musical Association