WHAT IS A TRIAD?

As the root "tri" suggests, a triad has three parts, specifically three notes that are played simultaneously as one chord.  Each triad has a root note, which serves to name the triad.  For example, if the root is a G (So), then the triad is called a "G".  Root position is when the root is played as the lowest note.

Funny numbers and small letters

When first learning to play the piano, you were shown that when placing your right hand on the piano your first finger (your thumb) plays Do, your second plays Re, third Mi, fourth Fa, and fifth So.  As you have seen earlier, these same numbers are written in roman numerals to correspond to chords.  

When you use the C major scale, your first chord (I) is C (Do).  Since nothing else is written, we know that this is a major chord.  But what are the next chords?  If you were to just continue writing D, E, F, G, A (Re, Mi, Fa, So, La) you would be indicating that all these chords are major.  But they are not.  Chords two, three, and six are minor.  In order to show this, a lower case "m" must be written.  Thus, the first six chords in C major are correctly written:  C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, or: Do, Rem, Mim, Fa, So, Lam.  This pattern is the same for all major scales.  In other words, for all major scales (not just starting with C/Do) chords I, IV, and V are major, and chords ii, iii, and vi are minor*.  

*Note:  Notice that the normal roman numerals are changed to lower case to indicate a minor chord.  For example: ii, iii, vi.

And the 7th?

The seventh chord, the chord starting on B, is neither major nor minor.  It is diminished, which will be explored later on.  For now, it is enough to know that the symbol for diminished is "º".  The seventh chord (viiº) then formed from the C major scale is Bº or Bdim (said "B diminished").

Since the beginning of the school year we have looked at a variety of aspects of music.  Now, in order to maintain a rich understanding of music that will enable you to enjoy, analyse and perform music to a greater degree, we will use our next several classes to reflect on what we have learned, as well as to prepare for our Christmas performance.

Musical Form

Imagine a song lasting several minutes in which every moment is different from what you have previously heard.  It might be interesting at the beginning, but eventually you might start to feel as if you had wondered off on a journey and gotten lost.  Would you ever get back home?  Now imagine a different song lasting about the same amount of time as the last, but this time the same melody is repeated over and over again.  Would you want to keep listening?  

When you listen to any song, whether from a classical composer or from a modern musician, you can recognize divisions into different sections.  A short song may have only two sections, whereas longer songs may include more.  In any case, what the composer desires is to create an experience that draws in the listener, creating new emotionally impacting moments while at the same time giving the listener the feeling that by the end of the song they have arrived home.  Musicians accomplish this through a purposeful blend of both new and familiar elements.  This is the purpose of musical form.

At the beginning of the previous week, we introduced an ostinato into the song Sarasponda.  This was done by one half of the class repeatedly singing "boom-da" on one note, while the other half of the class sang the melody to section A.

This week you will be able to create and play your own ostinati!

Watch these videos to see how others have used ostinati in their music:

The word ostinato comes from the Italian meaning "stubborn".  This name is quite fitting because, as you recall, this is the name we use for a musical phrase that is repeated throughout a section of music or even throughout a whole song.  Often, when ostinatos are used, they will be played in lower notes as a sort of base over which the rest of a song is constructed.   Listen to these examples: 

Theme and variations is a musical form that starts with a short recognizable melody called the theme.  From this theme any number of variations are then created by modifying the original theme in some manner.  The tools used for transforming the theme into the different variations could include changes in melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, ornamentation, etc.

Verse and refrain form is a musical form that was popular in the early to mid twentieth century. It is still used by some artists today, but with less frequency.  This form emphasizes the content of the verses, often seen as telling a story.  At the end of each verse, there is a short, concise statement of the main idea of the song.  This is called the refrain, which often also serves as the title of the song.

This week you will choose one of the topics covered over the past three weeks: ostinati, theme and variations, and verse and refrain, in order to apply your knowledge to composing your own short original piece to be performed for your class the following week.

During Tuesday's online class, we will review all three of these topics, and answer all questions you may have about the project.  See you soon!

We have been examining different musical forms, which allow songwriters a structure to follow that has been constructed especially to maintain the interest of the listener.  A listener likes to hear familiar ideas in music, but at the same time needs variety in order to avoid monotony.  Verse-chorus, which is very common in modern popular music, does just this utilizing three main parts:  the verse, the chorus, and a bridge.  

A musical genre is a style of music that has characteristics that notably distinguish it from other styles.  Examples of musical genres would be: classical, jazz, blues, rock, etc.  Pop, coming from the word "popular", is perhaps a more difficult genre to define because it can have elements of other musical genres.  Usually, when we think about pop, though the term had already been used since the 20s, what comes to mind are hit radio songs starting in the 50s and going on to the present.  

Pop music is highly influenced by the music industry, which seeks to create music that can produce money.  This is why pop music can also be thought of as commercial music, and has characteristics that will aid the industry.  Because music in this sense is a business, it is beneficial to create a large number of songs that can all be listened to and perhaps purchased.  This makes the length of the song one distinguishing characteristic of pop.  A pop song will usually last no more than five minutes.  In addition, since this music is a consumer product, another characteristic of much of pop is that it includes the most modern sounds, or the latest technology in sound production.  In the 50s this could have been sound amplification, in the 80s, the use of synthesizers.  Finally, the structure of the music also comes into play.  Most pop music follows variations of the verse/chorus form.

Author's intent:  Who is it for?

Many times musicians will be asked to write a song or an instrumental for an intended purpose.  As discussed last week, in the case of pop music that purpose might be to enjoy commercial success.  However, music of course can be written with other priorities in mind.  For example, when songwriters are creating music that is not in the pop genre, their purpose in writing might be more focused on expressing themselves in a genre that they identify with.

Music can also be written for a special occasion or for a recurring event.  For example, a hymn or anthem is a piece of music written to represent and to rally an intended group of people.  Most countries have a national anthem, which is used as an inspiring symbol of the country.  Moreover, many branches of a country's military also have hymns to unify and invigorate their members.

Writing a song, both musically and lyrically, is an exercise in self-expression.  When songwriters seek to create a new lyric, they can draw on two main tools: who they are (their experiences and feelings), and what they know (knowledge of events, history, science, etc.).  

Although inevitably your self will shine through when you write, you recall that writers are often subject to certain restraints.  One such restraint in current commercial music is the need for sufficient repetition in order to make songs memorable or singable.  

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