Why do we start from the bottom note when counting intervals?
Say if I play G to C descending, my intuition tells me to start from the note that came first. But I've been told that's not correct. You start from the bass note and count up no matter what.
theory notation intervals
edited 4 hours ago
Dom♦
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asked 4 hours ago
BrandonBrandon
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Say if I play G to C descending, my intuition tells me to start from the note that came first. But I've been told that's not correct. You start from the bass note and count up no matter what.
theory notation intervals
edited 4 hours ago
Dom♦
35.8k18103219
asked 4 hours ago
BrandonBrandon
333
add a comment |
Say if I play G to C descending, my intuition tells me to start from the note that came first. But I've been told that's not correct. You start from the bass note and count up no matter what.
theory notation intervals
edited 4 hours ago
Dom♦
35.8k18103219
asked 4 hours ago
BrandonBrandon
333
Say if I play G to C descending, my intuition tells me to start from the note that came first. But I've been told that's not correct. You start from the bass note and count up no matter what.
theory notation intervals
theory notation intervals
edited 4 hours ago
Dom♦
35.8k18103219
asked 4 hours ago
BrandonBrandon
333
edited 4 hours ago
Dom♦
35.8k18103219
asked 4 hours ago
BrandonBrandon
333
edited 4 hours ago
Dom♦
35.8k18103219
edited 4 hours ago
Dom♦
35.8k18103219
edited 4 hours ago
Dom♦
35.8k18103219
35.8k18103219
asked 4 hours ago
BrandonBrandon
333
asked 4 hours ago
BrandonBrandon
333
asked 4 hours ago
BrandonBrandon
333
333
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
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You can describe intervals as ascending (lower note to higher note) or descending (higher note to lower note) although almost all music theory concepts strictly talk about ascending like your teacher says.
The reason for this is simple and it's to do with the physics behind music. Notes notes generate what are known as harmonics. So not only do you get the fundamental pitch, but you also get multiples of it depending on the exact tone. This is also why inversions even though they contain the same set of notes can have different functions and roles in harmony due to the interaction between. It's also why we make distinctions between inverse intervals. For example the perfect 5th interval's inversion a perfect 4th in some contexts is dissonant even though the perfect 5th has been consistently considered consonant.
For more reading about the importance of bass in harmony see this question.
answered 4 hours ago
Dom♦Dom
35.8k18103219
Thanks! I remember seeing a video about the importance of bass in harmonic function actually. I thought it had something to do with that but I'm always the type to get a second opinion. (^_^)m/
– Brandon
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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votes
You can describe intervals as ascending (lower note to higher note) or descending (higher note to lower note) although almost all music theory concepts strictly talk about ascending like your teacher says.
The reason for this is simple and it's to do with the physics behind music. Notes notes generate what are known as harmonics. So not only do you get the fundamental pitch, but you also get multiples of it depending on the exact tone. This is also why inversions even though they contain the same set of notes can have different functions and roles in harmony due to the interaction between. It's also why we make distinctions between inverse intervals. For example the perfect 5th interval's inversion a perfect 4th in some contexts is dissonant even though the perfect 5th has been consistently considered consonant.
For more reading about the importance of bass in harmony see this question.
answered 4 hours ago
Dom♦Dom
35.8k18103219
Thanks! I remember seeing a video about the importance of bass in harmonic function actually. I thought it had something to do with that but I'm always the type to get a second opinion. (^_^)m/
– Brandon
2 hours ago
add a comment |
You can describe intervals as ascending (lower note to higher note) or descending (higher note to lower note) although almost all music theory concepts strictly talk about ascending like your teacher says.
The reason for this is simple and it's to do with the physics behind music. Notes notes generate what are known as harmonics. So not only do you get the fundamental pitch, but you also get multiples of it depending on the exact tone. This is also why inversions even though they contain the same set of notes can have different functions and roles in harmony due to the interaction between. It's also why we make distinctions between inverse intervals. For example the perfect 5th interval's inversion a perfect 4th in some contexts is dissonant even though the perfect 5th has been consistently considered consonant.
For more reading about the importance of bass in harmony see this question.
answered 4 hours ago
Dom♦Dom
35.8k18103219
Thanks! I remember seeing a video about the importance of bass in harmonic function actually. I thought it had something to do with that but I'm always the type to get a second opinion. (^_^)m/
– Brandon
2 hours ago
add a comment |
You can describe intervals as ascending (lower note to higher note) or descending (higher note to lower note) although almost all music theory concepts strictly talk about ascending like your teacher says.
The reason for this is simple and it's to do with the physics behind music. Notes notes generate what are known as harmonics. So not only do you get the fundamental pitch, but you also get multiples of it depending on the exact tone. This is also why inversions even though they contain the same set of notes can have different functions and roles in harmony due to the interaction between. It's also why we make distinctions between inverse intervals. For example the perfect 5th interval's inversion a perfect 4th in some contexts is dissonant even though the perfect 5th has been consistently considered consonant.
For more reading about the importance of bass in harmony see this question.
answered 4 hours ago
Dom♦Dom
35.8k18103219
You can describe intervals as ascending (lower note to higher note) or descending (higher note to lower note) although almost all music theory concepts strictly talk about ascending like your teacher says.
The reason for this is simple and it's to do with the physics behind music. Notes notes generate what are known as harmonics. So not only do you get the fundamental pitch, but you also get multiples of it depending on the exact tone. This is also why inversions even though they contain the same set of notes can have different functions and roles in harmony due to the interaction between. It's also why we make distinctions between inverse intervals. For example the perfect 5th interval's inversion a perfect 4th in some contexts is dissonant even though the perfect 5th has been consistently considered consonant.
For more reading about the importance of bass in harmony see this question.
answered 4 hours ago
Dom♦Dom
35.8k18103219
edited 4 hours ago
answered 4 hours ago
Dom♦Dom
35.8k18103219
answered 4 hours ago
Dom♦Dom
35.8k18103219
answered 4 hours ago
Dom♦Dom
35.8k18103219
35.8k18103219
Thanks! I remember seeing a video about the importance of bass in harmonic function actually. I thought it had something to do with that but I'm always the type to get a second opinion. (^_^)m/
– Brandon
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Thanks! I remember seeing a video about the importance of bass in harmonic function actually. I thought it had something to do with that but I'm always the type to get a second opinion. (^_^)m/
– Brandon
2 hours ago
Thanks! I remember seeing a video about the importance of bass in harmonic function actually. I thought it had something to do with that but I'm always the type to get a second opinion. (^_^)m/
– Brandon
2 hours ago
Thanks! I remember seeing a video about the importance of bass in harmonic function actually. I thought it had something to do with that but I'm always the type to get a second opinion. (^_^)m/
– Brandon
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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