Contents
1. About This Part
In this chapter you learn fundamental knowledge necessary to go on “Melody” or “Chord” part — More specifically, about Scale and Key. Note that “Rhythm” part doesn’t require these knowledge so you can make a detour if you get bored of this part 🙂
In fact this part may feel, paradoxically, the most tough for you to get through. It’s because it is not until you reach the later chapters that these basic abstract concepts really take shape.
So I recommend that you kinda skim through this part without deep rumination and come back after you’ve learned some Chord/Melody theory.
2. Basic Terms
Now I’m gonna share some really basic terms in music theory.
Scores
Though this site basically utilizes audio examples rather than score for explanation, musical scores are also used (especially in later chapters). Here’s a very basic review.
G Clef Score
(The names for each pitch may vary by country)The spiral-shaped sign on the left edge is G clef / Treble clef. G clef defines the pitch of the second line from the bottom as “g”, resulting in “c” note popping outside the box.
Looking closer, the center of its spiral actually indicates where “g” is. And this strange shape originates in excessively decorated “G” letter BTW.
Hence “G clef”.F Clef Score
For lower pitch instruments, another type of clef is used.
The sign on the left, looking like a conch shell, is F Clef/ Bass Clef. The higher “c” here stands for the same pitch as the lower “c” in G clef.
Anyway you won’t be required high level literacy for scores until you get to later chapters.
Piano Roll
Along with scores, piano roll is sometimes used as well.
Very common for DAW users! The vertical keys represent pitch while horizontal axis represent time. Some may wish that all scores are displayed as piano rolls…but at some point you reach the area where piano rolls don’t work while musical scores do. So I want you to get accustomed to scores gradually.
That said, complexed scores will not appear until later chapter and audio files will greatly help you understand the contents so don’t worry!
Bass and Upper
In terms of arrangement, The part that plays the lowest pitch area is called Bass, and all the others are—not clearly defined tho—called like “upper parts”, “upper voices” so in this website I’ll call them simply Upper.
In a band a bassist plays a roll of bass, of-course. In electronic music there’ll be synth bass part too. In piano solo, the left hand will be the bass part.
So basically the song structure is made up of the 4 layers : Drums, Bass, Upper and Melody.
Depending on genres, A decent “Upper” section can be constructed without chords.
In the case above, upper section consists just of some extra vocals and some simple piano play. So ultimately, chord is not necessary for songwriting.
OK now basic terms are introduced. You’ve got ready for studying music theory!
