Schenkerian analysis

The reduction analysis is a process developed by the Viennese music theorist Heinrich Schenker system for the analysis of tonal music. It is based on the assumption that each piece of music is constituted by a structure. By means of reduction analysis can be a piece cut so far that its structure is revealed, the last possible stage of the reduction is called Schenker Ursatz.

Ursatz and Urlinie

The Ursatz is the simplest tonal shape; they can already be made ​​with only natural horns of overtones. In music theory the Ursatz as well as in major in minor acts as a supporting frame rate frequently in appearance. The upper part describes a falling line of the third in the root, while the bass exposes the essential harmonic levels. Outdoor set of Ursatz can carry quite a bit.

The falling line in its basic form is called diatonic Schenker " Urlinie ". You can also start in the fifth or the octave of the tonic. Ursatz and Urlinie are not identical.

Foreground, middle ground

Depending on the level of reduction of the subscribed voting guide plates are called the foreground or middle ground. While one can see even the slightest form of elaboration of Urlinie in the foreground, it is important in the middle ground to represent large contiguous prolongation. The rollover is performed by side-notes, raising or lowering of a note, chord and interval breaks or by so-called inner cables.

Graphic arts

The structural tones are written with half note heads but with beams in order to emphasize their importance. In addition to eighth notes get flags, interior coatings are also verbalkt. The importance of the sounds can be represented in several ways, as the same example by omitting the neck, the variation of the length, the size of the note head, or by other signifiers. Two images of the same piece of music can therefore look completely different and yet both be correct. In the foreground you can draw bar lines, this is omitted in the middle ground. Rhythmic information is not shown, just as dynamics, expression marks, or tempos.

Reduction and hierarchy

Reduction analysis works with any type of tonal music. The reason is that tonality is a hierarchy of tones. Not every note, every chord is not equally important. Significantly, a chord is when he binds other chords in itself. The principle in its simplest form is the melodic side note, it assigns itself a principal tone with, this just plays around. Tones or chords, subject themselves to another, it shortens the reduction analysis, so that ultimately the bearing, formative structure remains. The final conclusion of the reduction must be Heinrich Schenker Ursatz not mandatory, although it acts as a supporting structure in different musical styles. The aim of the reduction analysis is to be aware interact as foreground and background.