Articles tagged with: "tonic"

Unlocking Symmetrical Sounds: A Deep Dive into the Whole-Half Diminished Scale (Synthetic Scale 1)

Unlocking Symmetrical Sounds: A Deep Dive into the Whole-Half Diminished Scale (Synthetic Scale 1)

Published on 14 Jun, 2025

A deep dive into the Whole-Half Diminished Scale (Synthetic Scale 1), exploring its unique symmetrical structure, its use in jazz and classical music, and how to apply it in practice.

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The In Sen Scale: Unlocking the Melancholic Beauty of Japanese Music

The In Sen Scale: Unlocking the Melancholic Beauty of Japanese Music

Published on 14 Jun, 2025

Discover the In Sen scale, a fundamental Japanese pentatonic scale known for its distinctive and evocative sound. This article explores its structure, history, and application in traditional and modern music, …

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Unlocking the Mysterious Sound of the Kumoi Scale

Unlocking the Mysterious Sound of the Kumoi Scale

Published on 14 Jun, 2025

Explore the Kumoi scale, a unique five-note Japanese scale. This guide covers its structure, variations, musical examples, and practical applications for composers and improvisers seeking an evocative, mysterious sound.

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Major Second Interval: The Foundation of Melodic Movement

Major Second Interval: The Foundation of Melodic Movement

Published on 04 Jun, 2025

The major second interval spans two semitones and represents the most common melodic movement in Western music. This fundamental interval creates the basic building blocks of scales, provides smooth stepwise …

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Major Seventh Chord: The Jazz Standard of Sophistication

Major Seventh Chord: The Jazz Standard of Sophistication

Published on 25 May, 2025

The major seventh chord adds sophistication to basic major triads by including the major seventh interval. This elegant harmony is fundamental to jazz, bossa nova, and contemporary music, creating a …

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I-IV-V-I Chord Progression: The Foundation of Western Music

I-IV-V-I Chord Progression: The Foundation of Western Music

Published on 19 May, 2025

Explore the I-IV-V-I chord progression, the foundational harmonic sequence that underpins countless songs across genres. Learn how this progression creates musical movement and resolution, its historical significance, and practical applications …

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Major Chords: The Building Blocks of Happy Music

Major Chords: The Building Blocks of Happy Music

Published on 19 May, 2025

Major chords are fundamental building blocks of music with a bright, happy sound. This article explores their structure (root, major third, perfect fifth), inversions, extensions, and applications across genres, providing …

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Major Scales: The Melodic Foundation of Western Music

Major Scales: The Melodic Foundation of Western Music

Published on 17 May, 2025

Major scales constitute one of the fundamental pillars of Western music, providing the basis for melody, harmony, and composition across centuries. This article explores the structure of the major scale, …

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Pentatonic Scales: Universal Simplicity and Expression

Pentatonic Scales: Universal Simplicity and Expression

Published on 17 May, 2025

Pentatonic scales, with their five notes per octave, are part of the musical traditions of virtually all cultures. This article explores the two main variants—major and minor—analyzing their structure, sonority, …

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Secondary Dominants: Adding Color and Direction to Chord Progressions

Secondary Dominants: Adding Color and Direction to Chord Progressions

Published on 17 May, 2025

Secondary dominants are powerful harmonic tools that add color, tension, and forward momentum to chord progressions. By temporarily "tonicizing" non-tonic chords, secondary dominants create brief harmonic detours that enrich musical …

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Common Chord Progressions: The Building Blocks of Musical Harmony

Common Chord Progressions: The Building Blocks of Musical Harmony

Published on 17 May, 2025

Chord progressions are the harmonic foundations that drive musical compositions across nearly all Western musical styles. This comprehensive guide explores the most common and influential chord progressions, from the classic …

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Exotic Scales: Exploring Whole Tone and Octatonic Sonorities

Exotic Scales: Exploring Whole Tone and Octatonic Sonorities

Published on 17 May, 2025

Exotic scales like the Whole Tone and Octatonic (Diminished) offer composers and improvisers unique sonic textures that transcend traditional Western tonality. The perfectly symmetrical Whole Tone scale, built entirely of …

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The Blues Scale: The Sound of American Soul

The Blues Scale: The Sound of American Soul

Published on 17 May, 2025

The blues scale, with its characteristic "blue note" added to the minor pentatonic, is a fundamental musical tool that captures the expressive essence of blues and has influenced countless genres …

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Diminished Scales: Symmetrical Patterns in Music

Diminished Scales: Symmetrical Patterns in Music

Published on 17 May, 2025

The diminished scale is an eight-note symmetrical scale that alternates between whole and half steps, creating unique harmonic and melodic possibilities. This comprehensive guide explores its structure, historical development from …

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