A Generative Theory of Tonal Music, reissue, with a new prefaceA search for a grammar of music with the aid of generative linguistics. This work, which has become a classic in music theory since its original publication in 1983, models music understanding from the perspective of cognitive science.The point of departure is a search for the grammar of music with the aid of generative linguistics.The theory, which is illustrated with numerous examples from Western classical music, relates the aural surface of a piece to the musical structure unconsciously inferred by the experienced listener. From the viewpoint of traditional music theory, it offers many innovations in notation as well as in the substance of rhythmic and reductional theory. |
Contents
Musical Universals | 4 |
and Linguistic | 11 |
2 Possible Formal Approaches to Reduction | 111 |
2 TimeSpan Trees and Metrical Structure | 128 |
The Analytic 6 4 Details of Cadential Reduction | 138 |
2 TimeSpan Reduction WellFormedness Rules | 152 |
of TimeSpan 7 3 Preference Rules Within Phrases | 159 |
7 4 Structural Accents of Groups | 167 |
2 Preliminaries to Prolongational Trees | 183 |
Common terms and phrases
anacrusis analysis applications attach attack points bass cadential chord circle of fifths connection deceptive cadence direct elaboration discussed dominant downbeat of measure e₁ example formal full cadence function global group boundary grouping and meter grouping overlaps GWFR half-note level harmonic rhythm head heard hierarchical Hypothesis important event interaction larger levels left branch linguistic melodic metrical level metrical position metrical structure Minor Symphony motion motivic Mozart music theory musical cognition musical grammar musical intuition musical structure musical surface MWFR notes overlaps and elisions parallelism passage pattern penult phrase piece pitch stability pitch-events possible preference rules principles progression prolongational reduction prolongational tree prolongationally PRPR quarter-note level region relatively rhythmic right branch secondary notation sequence slur smaller levels Sonata span stable strong beats struc structural accents structural beginning subordinate tactus tension and relaxation time-span reduction time-span segmentation tion tonal music tonic TSRPR upbeat weak beats well-formedness rules