Music Theory

Music theory is the study of the structure of music. It includes considerations of melody, rhythm, counterpoint, harmony and form; tonal systems, scales, tuning, intervals, consonance, dissonance, durational proportions and the acoustics of pitch systems; composition, performance, orchestration, ornamentation, improvisation and electronic sound production; etc.

Etymologically, music theory is an act of contemplation of music, from the Greek theōreō, to inspect, look at, behold, observe, contemplate, consider. As such, it has been opposed to practice, but such practical aspects as the creation or the performance of music, or their pedagogy, are today understood as belonging to the domain of music theory.

Music theory usually expresses itself in a body of theoretical literature: the Western art music, the Byzantine, Arabic, Hebrew, Chinese and Indian traditions possess large bodies of such literature. Yet, some consider that theory may be unwritten and that its sources may consist also, for instance, in Ancient instruments or in modern traditional practices of music.