An Introduction to Music Theory
Author: Gyebi-Tweneboah Kwasi
ISMN 979–0–9008043–7–2
DOI: 10.38159/npub.eb2023102
Published: 20th March, 2023.
Hefler and Przybylek (2022) defined music theory as the sound that has been creatively organized. They further went on to state that “music theory involves various fundamentals such as melody, texture, rhythm, pitch, keys and clef.”[1] Music theory can also be defined as the building block of music. This book deals with the different components that combine to make good music. Although the theory found in this book has its principle in Western art music, the principles can be applied to other forms of music.
In order to appreciate music theory, the author has added a music theory practice book. This book is to be used with the theory practice book for more work.
[1] Scarlett Helfer and Stephanie Przybylek, “What is Music Theory?” (2022). https://study.com/learn/lesson/music-theory-overview-concepts-history.html
Kwasi, Gyebi-Tweneboah is a native of Bonwire, Ashanti Region, Ghana. He had his early introduction to music through his father, Maxwell Tweneboah Kodua who was an organist and a guitarist at an early age. In primary school at St. Georges International School, Kumasi, he had the opportunity to learn how to play the piano from Kwame Asare Bediako (John K.). In the same school, he was also introduced to trumpet play. Due to his love for music, he joined New Creation, a contemporary gospel band group as a lead guitarist. It was at this stage that his musical talent blossomed. He had his secondary school education at Kumasi Academy. There, he was the choirmaster and organist of the school. He was also the president of Gospel Waves which was a contemporary gospel group in the Scripture Union.
After secondary school, he had the opportunity to attend the University of Education, Winneba where he studied for his Bachelor of Education, Music. His major instrument when he was studying at Winneba was the piano. During and after school he worked with a lot of institutions that taught beginners how to play the piano. He has also worked with Manieson Christian Academy, The Piano Lab, and J.B. Music Academy in South Africa. In all these institutions, he was a piano Instructor.
He is currently a freelance piano instructor and a sound engineer.
UNIT 1
What is Music? …….1
The Elements Of Music ……. 1
UNIT 2
Staff / Stave Notation …… 3
The Staff / Stave …… 3
Clef …… 3
The Treble Staff ……. 3
The Treble Clef. 4
The Bass Staff……. 5
UNIT 3
Rhythmic Notation……. 7
Extension of Musical Notes……. 7
Dotted Notes……. 7
Time Signatures……. 8
Types of Time Signatures……. 8
Simple Time Signature……. 8
Compound Time Signature……. 8
Barring of Notes……. 9
Accidentals……. 10
Key Signature……. 10
Circle of fifths……. 13
UNIT 4
The Keyboard of Piano……. 14
Structure of the Keyboard……. 14
Identifying alphabets on the keyboard……. 14
An Octave……. 15
Accidentals on the keyboard……. 15
UNIT 5
Scale Constructions……. 16
Technical Names of the Levels of the Scale……. 16
Major Scale Construction……. 16
Construction of a Major Scale Using Inter-Valid Structure……. 17
Construct The “C” Major Scale On The Treble Staff Ascending (Without Key Signature)…… 18
Using Key Signatures to Construct Scales……. 19
Minor Scales……. 21
Minor Semitones (natural minor)…… 21
Construction of a Minor Scale……. 23
Harmonic Minor Scale (Construction)…… 24
Using relative major to construct a minor scale……. 25
Melodic Minor Scale……. 27
Inter Valid Structure……. 28
Using The Relative Major To Construct The Melodic Minor Scale……. 29
Melodic Intervals……. 29
Types of Intervals……. 29
Grouping of Intervals……. 30
Perfect Intervals……. 30
Describing Intervals……. 30
Describing Chromatic Intervals……. 31
UNIT 6
Triads……. 37
Types Of Triads……. 37
Major Triads……. 37
Minor Triads……. 38
Inversion Of Triads……. 41
First Inversion……. 41
Second Inversion……. 42
Summary Of Triads In Tonic Solfa……. 42
Doubling of Notes in Triads……. 43
UNIT 7
Writing on the Grand Staff……. 46
Grand Staff……. 46
Explanation of the Above Harmony……. 47
Using Inversions in Harmony……. 50
Figured Bass……. 51
UNIT 8
Cadennces……. 52
Perfect cadence……. 52
Plagal or Amen cadence……. 52
Imperfect cadence……. 53
Interrupted Cadence……. 53
CONCLUSION…….. 54
REFERENCES……. 55
ABOUT AUTHOR…….. 56
Gyebi-Tweneboah Kwasi. Introduction to Music Theory. (Accra: Noyam Publishers, 2023).