modern music theory and application

My Top 5 20th Century Classical Books that I use

Posted on March 26, 2024April 1, 2024 by Modern Music Theory

My Top 5 20th Century Classical Books that I use for music composition

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

As requested [from my polytonality video/blog], here are the main [Top 5] books that I use for 20 Century [or 21st Century] classical composing:

Before we start None of these books has guitar Tablature or anything like that they are all standard musical notation: [I would also recommend taking any of these books out of the library if interested or downloading free copies to begin with as they can be expensive].

At number 5 I have:

[English Translation] “The Technique of my musical Language” by Olivier Messiaen

This is a fantastic book that not only covers Messiaen’s unique harmonic aspects, but it also delves into his rhythmic approach/concepts.

Here is another example;

Of course he also gives many examples of his use of modes of limited transposition and their harmonic development:

Number 4

At number four I have “Twentieth Century Harmony” by Vincent Persichetti:

This is a great “All rounder” of a book that covers most bases from, polytonality to intervals to multi scales to mirror harmony and 12 tone etc.

Here we have some “Mirror Writing” examples.

Here we have an example of extended multi scales.

And finally some polytonality:

Number 3

At number three I have “The musical language of Pierre Boulez” by Jonathan Goldman:

This book gives great clarity to Boulez’s compositional intellect and deductive reasoning. Boulez’s use of augmentation and diminution and the approach of opposites becomes crystal clear.

The other side of his writing that many people don’t acknowledge is his mastery of “Structure”

Number 2

At number two I have “Anthology of Twentieth Century Music” edited by Robert.P.Morgan:

This is a book of analysis of many great works by the 20c classical composers like, Stravinsky, Bartok, Charles Ives, Britten and Schoenberg etc.

Here is an example from Bergs Lyric Suite:

This book also looks at works and the compositional process by composers like Stockhausen:

Number 1

My number one book is “Music Lessons” by Pierre Boulez:

This is not a book of technique with musical examples but a collection of Boulez’s lectures put into essay form.

This is a book that explores the art of deductive reasoning on the part of the composer and the art of creating material from the material in an organic way.

This is also a book about understanding the music/material, the process, why you are composing it, how it is happening and discovering your own deductive reasoning in the process.

It’s very difficult to explain this book in words as it is a bit like opening up your own head and looking into your own brain and seeing the correct pathways and completing them as opposed to just guessing and not completing the natural organic pathways.

This may sound a bit pretentious, but, such is the way of music. It does require a deep understanding and it does need considerations to ponder on if one wishes to compose original material with a unique language that makes the composition stand out from the crowd and avoid banality.

IN CONCLUSION

In conclusion this a brief look at the top 5 books that I use. I find it useful to have technical books, example books [from other composers works] and also a book that takes me into the depths of my thoughts and my own reasoning. For me a book is like a close friend that nudges the way, nothing is forced, but the mind is focused, as the material makes itself known.

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Alternate Picking “Upstroke” Guitar Exercise

Posted on March 21, 2024March 26, 2024 by Modern Music Theory

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Alternate Picking Guitar explained in detail-“The UP STROKE”

Please watch video above for detailed information

Hi Guys,

Today, just a short alternate picking guitar technique exercise starting on an “Upstroke”.

The first part of the exercise employs a scale fragment that starts on an upstroke .

Although, this creates an odd grouping of 5 notes, it works really well because when you cross over the strings you will be starting on a “Down stroke”

This, also works well because this is a simple two finger pentatonic movement.

alternate-picking-guitar-explained-how-to

In the second bar we imitate the first part of the first bar by starting on the “Upstroke” again, creating another 5 note grouping,

In the next part we start on the “Down stroke” again. Also, note the fingering as we cross the strings. This is a favourite of guitarist John McLaughlin. This is crossing with the 2nd finger.

alternate-picking-guitar-explained-lesson

Here is the 2nd bar in full,

FULL EXERCISE 1:

VARIATION IN THE SECOND BAR:

Here, is a variation for the second part of the exercise.

alternate-picking-guitar-exercise-lesson

Note, the semitones and the crossing over with the second finger to easily cross the strings:

alternate-picking-guitar-exercise-technique

FREE DOWNLOAD OF EXERCISE:

alternate-picking Download

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Dennis Sandole [Guitar] SCALE LORE-Poly/multi scales:

Posted on March 16, 2024March 21, 2024 by Modern Music Theory

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Hi Guys,

In this blog we will have a brief look at scales from a different perspective.

These ideas/concepts mainly come from Dennis Sandole and his development of poly/multiple scales.

This [Guitar] scale lore as an approach is extremely useful for both composition and improvisation.

Before we start let’s get a perspective of the different [Partial] scales we can find embedded within common scales.

Below, we have the B Altered scale. Notice that half of it contains a Whole tone scale whilst the other half contains a Diminished scale: This creates its exotic beauty.

Next let’s look at the Diminished scale: Here we find two Mixolydian Tetrachords. The first with [C] as the root and the second with [F#] a tritone away.

Next, we will create a “Never ending” scale with Tetrachords and you will see how easy it is to be creative with a basic scale cell.

Dennis Sandole Polytonal scales for SCALE LORE Music Theory TETRACHORDS INTERWEAVING

From the above example notice the Lydian movement that is created in the cycle of 5ths:

SCALE LORE:

PolyScales and Bi-Tonal Scales:

Below we have an example of “Blending” scales. Notice how the scale connects with semitones [in blue circles] and the movement follows that of Sandoles student John Coltrane.