Explore Music Theory with clear music dictionary guides to notes, scales, chords, rhythm, harmony, melody, and musical structure.
Species counterpoint is a pedagogical method for teaching the rules of melodic interaction, dividing counterpoint into five progressive “species”. It originated in the Baroque era and remains a cornerstone of theoretical study in Western art music.
An authentic cadence is a harmonic progression that creates a sense of finality by moving from the dominant chord to the tonic. It appears in two main forms—perfect and imperfect—depending on voice leading and chord inversion.
Consonance refers to the perception of stability and pleasantness when certain pitches are sounded together. It is a core concept in music theory that helps define harmony, chord construction, and tonal relationships.
In music, pulse is the underlying regular beat that provides a steady framework for rhythm, tempo, and meter. It is felt as the basic unit of time that listeners and performers use to stay synchronized.
A power chord is a two‑note harmony, typically the root and perfect fifth, often doubled at the octave. It is a staple of electric guitar playing in rock, metal and related styles, especially when combined with distortion.
Polyrhythm is the simultaneous combination of two or more contrasting rhythmic patterns. It appears in many musical traditions, from African drumming to modern progressive rock, and influences how listeners perceive rhythm and groove.
A secondary dominant is a chord that temporarily tonicizes a scale degree other than the tonic by treating it as if it were the dominant. It enriches harmonic motion by creating brief tonal pulls toward non‑tonic chords.
Dissonance is a musical interval, chord, or sonority that creates a sense of tension or instability, often prompting a resolution to a more stable, consonant sound. It plays a central role in shaping harmonic progressions, emotional expression, and stylistic identity across many musical traditions.
The major sixth is a musical interval spanning nine semitones, known for its warm, consonant quality. It appears in melodies, harmonies, and chord structures across many musical styles.
A minor chord is a three‑note harmony built from a root, a minor third, and a perfect fifth. It provides a darker, more melancholic sound than its major counterpart and is fundamental to Western tonal music.