Music theory
Music theory is both a branch of musicology as well as an independent artistic- scientific discipline which today is primarily concerned with harmony, counterpoint and form of teaching.
History
From Antiquity to the Middle Ages practical executive and theoretical musicians had to do little or nothing to each other. While the practical musical training ( including the composition belonged ) had the character of the teaching profession and was low in prestige correspondingly, the theoretical music (Latin Musica ) within the " Seven Liberal Arts " became the higher standing mathematical branch, the " quadrivium " expected. The music theorists were primarily concerned with mathematical, cosmological and religious considerations, which they referred in a purely theoretical way on scales and rhythms, without any of these considerations ever sounding music would have arisen. With the legendary accounts of Pythagoras Pythagoras of Samos in the forge has been attributed, at least since late antiquity, the invention of theoretical music.
Only with the emergence of polyphony in the Middle Ages, theoretical reflection and practical musical training began to approach each other; for the first time, there were also individuals who theorist and composer in personal union were (for example Léonin, Pérotin ). In the following centuries theoretically sound composition teachings formed who were in a variety of interaction and studied the music practice.
During the Enlightenment used the music history, and the task fields of music theory in the 19th century were subjects at the conservatories. At the foundation of academic musicology at the end of the 19th century music theory was called listed (as " speculative music theory" ) under systematic musicology discipline. But in the course of a historicization of the compartment lost systematic aspects of musicology increasingly important.
Modern music theory
Today is meant by music theory topics of systematic musicology or the same training compartment at the music schools. Common topics include:
- Music theory including counterpoint
- Musical Analysis
- Harmony
- Basso
- Morphology
- Historical syntax
In addition:
- Instrumentation
- Instrument tuition
- Arrangement
- Score customer
- Mood
- Acoustics
- Ear Training and Aural Training
In practice, the engagement of the subject areas in many places leads to a cancellation of the individual disciplines (eg of counterpoint and harmony ).
Music Theoretical knowledge is the deeper understanding of the nature and effect of music creation. For this reason, music theory is in the artistic programs at the colleges of music a compulsory subject ( minor). Musical Analysis and Writing Exercises in Style ( music theory ) are usually referred to in this instruction upon each other, ie by analysis criteria are obtained, which are then tested in practice and checked in style exercises. At the music academies, music universities and some universities there is also major professional courses in music theory and / or ear training offered (scientific, artistic, educational ) to part with different profiles and priorities.