Chromatic Scale
The chromatic scale is a musical scale consisting of twelve successive pitches, each a semitone apart. It is used in various musical styles for melodic and harmonic color, and forms the basis of chromaticism in Western music.
Music Theory
Explore Music Theory with clear music dictionary guides to notes, scales, chords, rhythm, harmony, melody, and musical structure.
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Syncopation
Syncopation is a rhythmic device that places emphasis on normally weak beats or off‑beats, creating tension and forward momentum. It is a fundamental element in many musical styles, from classical to jazz and popular music.
Measure (Bar)
A measure, also called a bar, is a segment of musical time defined by a set number of beats and bounded by bar lines. It organizes rhythm, supports notation, and underpins meter in virtually all Western music.
Meter (music)
Meter is the recurring pattern of strong and weak beats that organizes musical time into measures. It is notated with a time signature and forms the backbone of rhythmic structure across virtually every musical style.
Locrian mode
The Locrian mode is the seventh of the seven traditional diatonic modes, characterized by a diminished fifth and a flattened second. It is the most unstable of the modes and is rarely used as a tonal center, but appears in modern classical, jazz, and metal contexts.
Beat (music)
A beat is the basic unit of time in music, supplying the steady pulse that underlies rhythm and tempo. Explore its origins, applications across styles, and its musical importance.
Extended chord
An extended chord is a harmony that adds tones beyond the seventh—such as ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths—to create richer color and tension in music.
Octatonic Scale
The octatonic scale is an eight‑note symmetric scale built from alternating whole and half steps. It appears in classical, jazz, and film music, offering a rich source of tension and colour.
Dorian mode
The Dorian mode is a type of musical scale that can be thought of as a natural minor scale with a raised sixth degree. It is one of the ancient Greek modes and remains widely used in jazz, folk, and rock music.
Minor Scale
A minor scale is a diatonic collection of seven pitches that creates a somber or melancholic tonal center. It exists in three common forms—natural, harmonic, and melodic—each with a distinct pattern of intervals. Minor scales underpin much of Western music, from classical sonatas to contemporary pop songs.