Theory Glossary

Revision as of 03:19, 19 January 2008

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Theory Glossary

A list of musical theory terminology - the essential reference for theory students!

              A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Arpeggio: Notes from from a chord played one at a time.

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Hexatonic Scale: A scale with six notes per octave.

I

Interval: The distance between two notes.

J

K

L

M

Mode: A variaton of a scale used to create different effects within a song. The modes are: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian. Each mode possesses a different formula. The Ionian mode is another name for the Major Scale and therefore posseses the same formula. The Aeolian mode is another name for the Minor Scale and it too, possesses the minor scale's formula.

N

O

Octave: Interval between two notes with half or double its frequency. These two notes share the same name.

P

Pentatonic Scale: A scale with five notes per octave.

Q

R

Root Note: The note(s) that define the sound of the scale. The scale is named after its root note.

S

Scale: A set of notes that have a particular sound or feeling to it.

Stave: The series of vertical lines that music notation is based around. Staves are composed of five lines, these lines do not represents the strings on the guitar. --Go to Music Notation Lesson--

T

Time Signature: Used in sheet music. Specifies how many beats are in each measure and one note value constitutes one beat.

Triad: The simplest form of a chord that contains at least 3 notes, root note, major third and perfect 5th. There are also other types of triads with different formulas.

U

V

W

X

Y

Z