Q. I am currently studying for a Theory Placement exam, and am reading on 3rd semester Theory. I have taken an AP Music Theory course and got a 5 on the AP exam.
So, right now, I'm looking in my workbook, and am teaching myself about "mode mixture" (I've heard of this topic before as using "borrowed chords" from the relative major or minor of the main key). I'm analyzing a Schubert Piano Sonata (op. 120, first movement, meas. 104 - 120) and am analyzing some of these chords as "borrowed" chords in A major.
(This excerpt starts at the second system of the last page of the first movement and ends at the end of the fifth system (p. 4 of the whole .pdf file): http://imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/f/⦠)
I'm listening to this excerpt, and it *does* sound like a modulation to a minor to me at the start of the fourth system; however, how does one differentiate between "modulation" and "mode mixture" (i.e. "borrowed chords")? Thanks for the help. :)
A. Modulation is when you change tonic. If you're in the key of C major and modulate to A minor Tonic has changes from C to a. Or C minor to C major.
Mode mixture is when you borrow pitches from another mode. Such as having an F minor chord in the key of C major. In this case you've borrow the a-flat from the parallel minor key.
Where it can sometimes get tricky is when a borrowed chord is also used as a pivot chord.
Not all theorists agree about when exactly you've modulated especially when switching between parallel keys, and I'm not sure how the AP wants you to do it.
If you only have brief instances of another "key" then such as 2-3 chords and then a return to the original key then it's probably mixture. If it's more substantial and you hear that tonic has changed then it's modulation.
The way I analyzed this stuff throughout college was continue analyzing in the original key as long as possible. Then at the first chord that could be in the new key, show that below to say that starting at this chord you would at first interpret it as IV in the old key and vi in the new one that is retrospectively reinterpreted once the new key is more firmly established. You may have just 1 chord with two roman numerals, sometimes 3 or 4.
Best music theory book?
Q. I played guitar for a few years, but stopped about a year ago. This is because I realized that I just wasn't getting anywhere. I really would like to start playing again, but I would like to put a greater emphasis on music theory. I know all the (very) basics of music (triads, augmented, diminished, regular scales...ect.) I am looking for a medium level music theory book that will bring me up to what would be considered a very advanced level. (I want to know all about scales and such...and maybe the composition of the hundreds of types of chords... :)
I have been looking around, and have come across some general music theory books, and other guitar specific books. I don't only want to play the guitar (I played the piano for a while when I was younger....and would like to improve my skills with that as well).
So basically, I would really like it if you guys could recommend to me a good book. Thanks!
Btw..I know what you're going to say..."just get a good instructor..." well, I will...I would just like to find a good music theory book first.
Thanks!
A. Well, if you really are planning on getting an instructor, he/she might have a book that he/she prefers to teach out of. However, I used Tonal Harmony for a while and liked it a lot. My theory class now uses Music in Theory and Practice (there's two volumes and workbooks that go with them) and they're pretty good too. They also come with example CDs (if you get them new), and the workbook has a sticker to purchase Finale for a discounted $150 if you're really into that (though you might prefer Guitar Pro). For us, the two books go through college Theory 4. If you can find some to actually look through a bit that might be good too-- just to get a feel for how they're structured.
Either way, Good luck with your theory!
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Title : What is the difference between "mode mixture" and "modulation"?
Description : Q. I am currently studying for a Theory Placement exam, and am reading on 3rd semester Theory. I have taken an AP Music Theory course and g...