Tonic (music)
The tonic is the first scale degree and tonal centre of a key, serving as the point of rest and resolution in tonal music across genres.
Music Theory
Explore Music Theory with clear music dictionary guides to notes, scales, chords, rhythm, harmony, melody, and musical structure.
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Interval (music)
In music, an interval is the measured distance in pitch between two notes, expressed by frequency ratio and step count, forming the basis of melody and harmony.
Tempo (music)
Tempo refers to the speed at which a piece of music is performed, measured in beats per minute. It shapes the character of a composition and guides performers in synchronizing rhythmic elements.
Perfect Fourth (musical interval)
A perfect fourth is a musical interval spanning five semitones, with a frequency ratio of 4:3. It is considered one of the most stable consonances and appears frequently in melody, harmony, and chord construction.
Unison (music)
In music, a unison occurs when two or more voices, instruments, or parts sound the same pitch or pitches an octave apart. It is the simplest form of interval and is a fundamental building block of harmony and texture.
Music Theory: A Complete Guide to the Language of Music
Music theory is the system musicians use to understand how music works. It explains why certain notes sound stable, why some chords feel bright or tense, why rhythms create movement, and why a melody can sound joyful, mysterious, dramatic, or unresolved. For beginners, music theory may seem like a collection of rules. In practice, it […]
Solfège
Solfège is a music education method that uses syllables such as do, re, mi to teach pitch and sight‑reading. It exists in movable‑do and fixed‑do systems and is employed across many musical traditions.
Pitch class
A pitch class groups all pitches that are whole-number octaves apart, treating them as equivalent. It is a fundamental concept in music theory, especially in set theory and atonal analysis.
Concert Pitch
Concert pitch is the standard reference frequency to which musical instruments are tuned, most commonly A4 = 440 Hz. It provides a common tonal center for ensembles, recordings, and instrument manufacturing worldwide.
Middle C
Middle C, designated as C4 in scientific pitch notation, is the central pitch on the modern piano, vibrating at approximately 261.63 Hz. It serves as a pivotal reference point for musicians across genres and is a key teaching note for beginners.