I am in music theory hell.

[a-sharp]

Forgive me if I vent a little. I don't think I've done that yet before - here.

I am taking music classes at a state university... and have 2 years left to go of just music classes (have completed all my GE) - and I  have the WORST theory teacher. He has serious personal issues. He seriously flies off the handle (emotionally - by yelling & getting pissed off at the class) for the most ridiculous things (such as, locating the minor key of a key sig. by going 3 1/2-steps down from the major. He went off for 15 minutes one day after someone suggested that was their method for finding the minor key). You can't ask the guy anything for fear of being talked to like you're an idiot. God forbid you are smart and call him on a mistake - he'll hate you forever. In short, he is an a$$h*le. No joke! I'd love to say I'm the only one with this opinion, but sadly, I'm not. And I fear I'm stuck with this jerk for 4 loooooooong semesters. Yikes.

Anyway, 

So far - most of what we've been doing is review for me, thank goodness. However, today - I was a little lost. We're doing BASIC voice leading & 4-part chord progressions - cadences. Today, he gave us home work (the 2nd time ALL semester - he NEVER gives homework), and it is fill-in-the parts, and with the chords analyzed beneath - "IAC, PAC, HC..." etc. Only thing - there is a place for THREE chords each. There has been virtually NO discussion about how to choose an appropriate *preceding* chord. ... I  know what a half cadence is and how to voice it - but, how do I choose what chord to put before it?

He gave us a few quick suggestions when I asked, in his ill-tempered ("DUH you idiots") way - but I don't understand the basic concept behind it enough to know WHY one would use those choices. He basically is expecting us to draw upon quick comments made at least a week ago, but we didn't have a real, focused discussion or lecture on this.

Can anyone offer me some insight?

This is basic, harmony I - baroque theory. Basically - the first class you'd take at any state university...

*Thanks so much!*

[a-sharp]

OK - always happens - right after a post a question.

I stumbled on this (searched for "chord progression rules):
https://books.google.com/books?id=iYgSJSxWW2sC&pg=PA201&lpg=PA201&dq=chord+progression+rules&source=web&ots=kRZUq8DjpG&sig=EeUEiEqAxy4q02-eoM5ykacBTNw&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA202,M1

Maybe that will help someone... I'm hoping I can print from that document just the pp. I need!

OR
Maybe I'm a dummy & should just get the book.

In any case - I'm still in music theory hell.

[Bob]

Nothing wrong with finding the reletive minors that way.  After awhile they just become second nature.  You have to start somewhere.

Just nail him on the course evaluation at the end of class.  You probably won't be the only one.  But by then, it's too late for you. 


Yes, get the book if you don't have that for the class.


Basically, most chord progressions are...
pre-dominant, dominant, tonic


predom would be ii or IV or some variation.


Or if you have four chords.  tonic, predom, dom, tonic.  I IV V I
Start at home, move away, return home.  Greek/Western thinking.  Balance.  Beginning, middle, end.


Authenic cadence... I'm a little rusty... is V I.
Plagal is IV I, right?  Church cadence.


Perfect means some specific.  I think it's that the tonic is approached by step.  I'm getting more fuzzy.  Someone else will know. 
I'm remembering...


2...downto 1
7...down to1
5...   upto 1

V...          I

And imperfect is when those upper voices don't move the "correct" way. 






To start?  Maybe write out the bass line, then add a melody.  Or no melody and see what happens, what the voice leading rules work out to naturally.  I remember ending up with boring melodies that way though.

And watch for perfect 5ths and 8ves.  But that's just the root and if the fifth is above it.  Basically moved the upper three voices opposite of the bass line.  That idea worked for me.



I remember diving into the deep end on chord progressions.  Just start.  You have to have the root and third to define the chord.  The fifth isn't that important.  It gets easier the more you do it, but you have to start somewhere.

[Bob]

The Dummy and Idiot series books are ok, but there are many other books written by theory dudes and people with more experience.  Do a search and you'll find many on here.

You can even order them through the library and avoid paying money that way.  It's good to own one though.  Maybe order and few and pick your top choice to buy.

I'm trying to think of some... Piston, Kaufka (I think)... Kennen... There are many though that are probably better than Music Theory for Dummies.

[a-sharp]

Bob - thank you. I actually don't have time to absorb all you wrote at this moment (got to go practice!) ... But wow - that was a quick reply. We have the Koftka?/Payne) book - but he really don't refer to it (at all) and I don't find it especially user-friendly... And... we are not even to the point of creating melodies yet (so yes - I'm feeling like quite the dummy. ... I did this stuff years ago. But, when I say years ... I mean YEEEAAAARSS ago, so I'm starting all over again. Thank goodness for my students, LOL).

What I really hate - is when people speak to smart people who don't understand something as though they are dumb. Irritates the heck out of me. Just b/c I don't yet  understand a concept that is new to me, doesn't mean I have a low-IQ. Even if I did, one wouldn't deserve that. I do know this is about him, and not me, personally.

***
Anyway - don't know why I didn't check this by my 'standby' site for trainers 'n' stuff has a decent lesson on this stuff too:
https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/html/id57_en.html

Thanks again. I may chime back in later tonight when I get a chance to review the above.

[a-sharp]

See - back already.

What exactly is a "circle progression?" I've never heard the term before...

[Bob]

The chords move down by fifths.  I think that's what they mean. 
Like V I.  What happens if you move back a fifth from V?

ii V I

Another fifth?

vi ii V I

Again... iii vi ii V I

It keeps moving down by fifths.  There's a pull for chords to move down a fifth I thik, to some extent. 

Those iii vi chords in the progression above are in the nebulous area of of chords.  I don't remember if they have a name or not.  They're not predom, dom, or tonic.  They can go anywhere.  And they're really good for doing a common chord progression since they're so far back.  (You can modulate by changing one of the chords to the same chord in another key and continuing on with a progression in that new key.) 


Unless 'circle progression' means to continually modulate down a fifth.  Eventually you end up where you started (not exactly where, but close enough).
V  I
    V   I
         V  I

C  F
    F  Bb
        Bb   Eb

[a-sharp]

I figured it was something like that. Thank you - makes perfect sense.

[pianistimo]

Are u still up for suggestions?  i was brousing amazon and actually found the 'music theory for dummies' or something title like that - actually a very helpful book to summarize things in a way that is VERY understandable.  In fact, i would go so far as to use it for students in a roundabout way.  Probably telling them that this was written for adults but is good for students.

Now, what i think would help you is to create your own chord wheel.  If you want - i can help you make one tonight. You just make it small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and voila - tests are no problem.  Just wheel the thing around backwards or forwards. 

[pianistimo]

OK. To get an idea of a chord wheel - the little cut out hole you make when you twist it around will look like a pagoda.  Make the top little hole just enough for ONE letter.  The next tier for three letters (which will be above three letters below so center it's middle letter directly above the next tiers middle letter - and the other two letters are directly above what would be 'lines' dividing the letters below).

OK.  You have your little peep hole now.  This is going to give you seven letters total.  Whenever you turn your peep hole around the circle you are going to get every letter of that particular scale.  ABCDEFG - excepting that you are going to use the natural chord notation for each chord so I IV V are major and the ii and iii, vi are minor and the seventh is dim. 

OK.  Put the NAME of whatever scale you are doing in the center of the bottom tier (for three letters).  If it is the scale of C - you will put C there.  Then, on the left side put the IV chord (F).  On the right side - put the V chord (G).  I know this is really simple - but the wheel can be used to great advantage later.

Then, on the next tier write the iii chord in the center (Em), the ii chord to the left (dm), and the vi chord to the right.  All that is left now - is to put the vii dim at the very top.  (Bm).

OK - once you do one scale - systematically work out the circle of fifths on the inside of the lowest tier to be in the exact order of the circle of fifths:  ie C, G, D, A, E, B,  F#/Gb, C#/Db, Ab, Eb, Bb, F.  Then work out each of the other tiers exactly as you did the first one. 

So...in the scale of G - you would write in the letters that aren't already filled in.  C would already be the IV chord and be filled in.

[pianistimo]

Now, as far as i understand it - you can work out your cadences with the numbers and then see which letters they are in that key.  It's just a little simpler to 'do the math.'  Plagal, Half, whatever.  it's been sooo long since i've done theory majorly (writing exercises) but i have a book here from hindemith.  Unfortunately, unless you do a bit of theory every day - it's like piano.  You just sit there scratching your head and wondering why so many open chords. I just ended up calling my stuff modern and after the style of poulenc.

[keyofc]

a-sharp,
How are things going now?
I just read this - and I feel for you.
I have had similar expereinces in the past - I
hope you don't get stuck with this same teacher next time.

[Bob]

It makes more sense after you've gone through it all.

[tetsuo]

That brings back memories... I had a very crazy teacher, she was sure she had 27 alien cats. Also, in the middle of a exam she left the classroom saying that someone was stealing her car.. oh well,

I recommend Robert Gauldin Harmony book because he teaches through examples. There you can see true excerpts of music and the different choices of several composers to approach similar goals.

https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Practice-Tonal-Music-Second/dp/0393976661

I hope it helps!

[airanimechiic]

I'm not quite sure about some of the more advanced ... terminology as i'm not at that level yet, but i know a few simple tricks that i'm not sure are relevant.
circle of fifths = https://www.djprince.no/2006/images/fifths2.gif i'm think thats what the chord wheel is.
in terms of the uh cadences that i know of so far, authentic= authentic means real-> the "real" cadence -> ends with I, plagal= the word sounds weird-> its a "weird" cadence-> begins with IV to I, half= unfinished-> ends w/ V instead of I like all the others, deceptive= deceives you-> just like the authentic but then DUN DUN DUN it lies and ends up w/ something other than I. yeah i know childish ... but i'm still at that childish level??? (not a college student yet)
as for your question about the 3 slots... um... wikipedia! it actually has some useful stuff about cadences... although a little too much.
there's this theory workbook that i use, Just the Facts that in the higher levels (like 10+ or something) may probably cover what you're asking about. its very useful= keeps the facts straight... although i'm not sure whether or not its sold around U.S.
(someone shoot me for such a dumb post)


 

[alysosha]

Seriously, music theory is so easy it's almost trivial. People like to dress it up allot but even the biggest baddest theory books are only a few hundred pages long. Serious technical books usual run above a 1000 pages and only ever cover a small area of the subject.

Just grab yourself any reasonably modern harmony textbook from the university library and either read it cover to cover or just dig into it looking for the answers you need. Over time (a few months really) you'll have internalised enough to get by in any class on 4 part harmony.

[pianissimo123]

You know what, that guy sounds like a complete fool. He probably doesn't even know what he's talking about half of the time, yet he belittles the rest of you to make himself feel superior. Too bad there isn't a way you could get another theory teacher. Maybe you could study privately under someone who is qualified and wants to teach (nicely) . Then maybe you could be trained to work along side them and teach. Theory classes are hard enough at the best of times with all that on top of it. I hope it goes better for you.  I feel for you.

[quaver]

Pianistimo:  I read with interest the chord wheel 'shaped like a pagoda' but am having trouble understanding the format.  Could you possibly have a diagram scanned so that I can see it.  It certainly does seem like it would help with chord progressions in different keys.  Thankyou so much.