• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 16:08
CET 22:08
KST 06:08
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL22] Finals Preview: Sweet Victory!12[ASL22] Ro4 Preview: Mirror Mirror6[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: Within Reach5[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: In A Tizzy11[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Holy Diver5
Community News
Weekly Cups (October 19-25): Clem triples first in 5.0.175Evil Geniuses - shutting down21ISSL (IntoTheTV x SOOP SC2 League): Premier7Weekly Cups (October 12-18): 5.0.17 era begins1[$1250] International ShieldBattery League99
StarCraft 2
General
How do you feel about the mass reverts in the 5.0.17 PTR? No more SC2 streamers on team liquid? Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book 5.0.17 Patch Notes - October 7, 2026 Evil Geniuses - shutting down
Tourneys
ISSL (IntoTheTV x SOOP SC2 League): Premier Stellar Fest TWO the Moon (Dec 16-20) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL goes to London! 2026 Offline Finals Nov 21-22 RSL 2026 Offline Finals LCQ Sign-Ups
Strategy
[H] ZvP Mid-Late Game: Stalkers Collossi HT
Custom Maps
[D] the control group Simple Questions/Answers [G] How to playtest arcade maps [A] Nemrods 1/4 players
External Content
Mutation # 550 Graveyard Shift The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 549 Endless Sparkles Mutation # 548 Shining Bright
Brood War
General
How SKT1 S-Tiers Felt To Be Swept By Flash Rollback Netcode in Brood War Top Players of October 2026 (EBPD Rankings) BW General Discussion Sagi.gg Launcher Released
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues 2v2v2v2 Tournament Stage 1: Community Poll [IPSL] IPSL Winter 26-27 Ro24 is HERE! [$1250] International ShieldBattery League
Strategy
50,000-Word Terran Builds Memo 2026-10-22 Cliff Jump Revisited (1 in a 1000 strategy) Simple Questions, Simple Answers
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Deus Ex 3!? Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Armies of Exigo - YesYes?
Dota 2
Dota 2 Champions League Season 3 Begins April 25!
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
Russo-Ukrainian War Thread US Politics Mega-thread The Chess Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
Fan Club Resource Thread Reynor Fan Club The Flash Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece
Sports
Football (Soccer) Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
Why I built Repalyzer (1.1.…
BlueStar
Innovate or Game Over?
TrAiDoS
ShieldBattery on Mac
Kraekkling
[ASL22] Ro4 Day1 Ticket Giv…
bITt.mAN
Can Bots Beat Pros?? Starcr…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 10946 users

Music Theory Primer: Part I - Page 2

Forum Index > TL Community
Post a Reply
Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next All
IBringUFire
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
Germany103 Posts
April 03 2013 09:06 GMT
#21
As a musician and songwriter, really nice guide - and so accurate!

However, I cannot get rid of the feeling that it still is not simple enough for real beginners. Although, then again your post would have like 800 pages... ;-)
[F_]aths
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Germany3947 Posts
April 03 2013 11:05 GMT
#22
On April 03 2013 18:06 IBringUFire wrote:
As a musician and songwriter, really nice guide - and so accurate!

However, I cannot get rid of the feeling that it still is not simple enough for real beginners. Although, then again your post would have like 800 pages... ;-)

I made a blog for beginners here http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?id=397937
You don't choose to play zerg. The zerg choose you.
FlorisXIV
Profile Joined December 2008
Netherlands15 Posts
April 03 2013 11:11 GMT
#23
Nice write-up man :D

I think you are trying to go into too much detail though. As an introduction to music theory/notation you don't need to know about mensural notation and 7:5 rhythm immediately

You might want to explain about how groups of eighth and 16th etc notes are combined into larger symbols. Your example only includes a string of 16th notes. It would be more clear to include a combined example with eighth notes and dots i think. You could also add a figure/example of a dotted note and the same duration with a tied notation. Those type of figures are much easier to read then written text often (for me at least)

On accents within measures and how to achieve those; you can add the agogische(?) accents (i don't know the English term for this :S ) The ones where you make a beat slightly longer to accentuate it.

(p.s In the figure where you show how all the note durations are related you forgot to double the eighth notes )
If brute forse doesn't solve your problems you're not using enough!
Deleted User 135096
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
3624 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-04-03 21:28:30
April 03 2013 11:19 GMT
#24
On April 03 2013 16:08 LaLuSh wrote:
"It should be noted that in modern music notation the use of key signatures in scores is rarely seen nowadays, largely due to the breakdown of tonality at the beginning of the last century, thought it is still commonly used in popular genres, movies, song, and video game music where tonality is still widely used or is the standard practice."

Can you elaborate on this? Because from personal experience they seem to be used everywhere (classical guitar). Does it only pertain to newer compositions/composers?

Yea this mostly pertains to what would be classified as 'contemporary classical' music (music from about 1908-ish and onward). This really does depend on the genre that its being written for, as well as the composer though. Eric Whitacre for example does use key signatures in his choral music, as does Morton Lauridsen (in choral music this is somewhat more common). But music from John Corigliano for example mostly will not have key signatures, unless he's writing for a certain audience.

As a general rule, contemporary composers will not use key signatures unless there's a good reason to, which is why it's more rare to see as composers do still use tonally-influenced harmonies, but the use of strict 'tonal harmony' amongst my ilk is more uncommon.

Of course as I did mention in more popular genres that key signatures are still widely used because tonality is still the dominant harmonic frame there (popular music, 'rock' bands, hollywood and video game scores, etc...).
On April 03 2013 20:11 FlorisXIV wrote:+ Show Spoiler +

Nice write-up man :D

I think you are trying to go into too much detail though. As an introduction to music theory/notation you don't need to know about mensural notation and 7:5 rhythm immediately

You might want to explain about how groups of eighth and 16th etc notes are combined into larger symbols. Your example only includes a string of 16th notes. It would be more clear to include a combined example with eighth notes and dots i think. You could also add a figure/example of a dotted note and the same duration with a tied notation. Those type of figures are much easier to read then written text often (for me at least)

On accents within measures and how to achieve those; you can add the agogische(?) accents (i don't know the English term for this :S ) The ones where you make a beat slightly longer to accentuate it.

(p.s In the figure where you show how all the note durations are related you forgot to double the eighth notes )
never ceases to amaze me that no matter how long I stare and proofread, I still miss things. Yea I 'll have to edit that image. Also I do talk about agogic accents briefly.

Edit: the image has been fixed.
+
Administrator
FlorisXIV
Profile Joined December 2008
Netherlands15 Posts
April 03 2013 11:29 GMT
#25
Oh boy, i totally missed that paragraph, my bad.
If brute forse doesn't solve your problems you're not using enough!
kirdie
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Germany221 Posts
April 03 2013 13:18 GMT
#26
This was extremely helpful as noone did successfully explain the meter signatures to me before (regardless of if it was their or my fault :-)). Listening examples would however be even more amazing!
las91
Profile Blog Joined May 2011
United States5080 Posts
April 03 2013 13:50 GMT
#27
On April 03 2013 16:08 LaLuSh wrote:
"It should be noted that in modern music notation the use of key signatures in scores is rarely seen nowadays, largely due to the breakdown of tonality at the beginning of the last century, thought it is still commonly used in popular genres, movies, song, and video game music where tonality is still widely used or is the standard practice."

Can you elaborate on this? Because from personal experience they seem to be used everywhere (classical guitar). Does it only pertain to newer compositions/composers?


Composers for the strictly classical concert music pieces tend to not use key signatures as often (I should know since I am one ). With the "breakdown" of tonality (I don't like the wording here since I'm a fairly tonal composer) it meant that pitches could be assigned freely without the need to keep to a strict key signature, therefore dumping key signatures altogether simply made sense from a logistical standpoint. If we kept using key signatures some pieces would look nonsensical since you would be adding accidentals anyway.
In Inca we trust
DropBear
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
Australia4440 Posts
April 03 2013 14:51 GMT
#28
Dude this is boss, thanks!
Sucker for nostalgia
docvoc
Profile Blog Joined July 2011
United States5491 Posts
April 03 2013 15:57 GMT
#29
This is incredible, I'm going to learn so much from this :D, I love TL knowhow , I just wish I could write for it.
User was warned for too many mimes.
SoniC_eu
Profile Joined April 2011
Denmark1008 Posts
April 03 2013 15:59 GMT
#30
This guy is a total badass! Thank you for posting
In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. http://da.twitch.tv/sonic_eu
fusefuse
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
Estonia4644 Posts
April 03 2013 16:59 GMT
#31
excellent
Everything familiar so far
Was great to get to know most of the terms in english though
Without having to dig out theory books off the internets :D
Liquipedia@jkursk
ClydeFrogSC2
Profile Joined December 2011
United States29 Posts
April 03 2013 18:05 GMT
#32
Didn't expect to see a Music Theory thread on TL today. Especially one so well done. Really sweet job, d00d!
sharkeyanti
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States1273 Posts
April 03 2013 18:28 GMT
#33
On April 03 2013 16:08 LaLuSh wrote:
"It should be noted that in modern music notation the use of key signatures in scores is rarely seen nowadays, largely due to the breakdown of tonality at the beginning of the last century, thought it is still commonly used in popular genres, movies, song, and video game music where tonality is still widely used or is the standard practice."

Can you elaborate on this? Because from personal experience they seem to be used everywhere (classical guitar). Does it only pertain to newer compositions/composers?


The lack of key signatures is definitely something that came to be in the 20th century. The "tonal" music that is referenced has some really essential components: establishment of key, a cadence in a key, and a bunch of stuff in between.

In some ways, it's also easier to read and think about the music if there is no key signature, as each note is presented as is, without some insinuation as to its relation to the key. If you are a beginner for classical guitar, then most of your pieces are going to be tonal in nature, and will use key signatures for pedagogical functions. The idea is that you start understanding the usual positions for a given key. With the lack of key signatures, the composer tries to avoid any confusion as to his/her intentions.
Hi Mom
Wraith.978
Profile Joined March 2011
Canada37 Posts
April 03 2013 18:46 GMT
#34
Very cool, can't wait for more.
Platinum Random. "Don't worry, that's just halo" -Huk
JieXian
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Malaysia4677 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-04-03 19:58:13
April 03 2013 19:49 GMT
#35
My worry/critique is that it might be too detailed that it would scare beginners, whom I assume is your main target audience, away with an article as concise as this, depends on your intention though

I also suggest putting up some examples or youtube links when you talk about this that are harder to grasp or imagine like the Georgian 2+2+3+2+2 rhythms to us hear some music :D

I have one example of a 3+3+2+2+2 one :D

+ Show Spoiler +




+ Show Spoiler +
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFlBBGKyNjc

they're not pros like the other one but just look at that atmostphere!


It's fucking hard because they syncopate the hell out of it but it's fucking goooooooooood so just listen and have fun :D
Please send me a PM of any song you like that I most probably never heard of! I am looking for people to chat about writing and producing music | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noD-bsOcxuU |
GaNgStaRR.ElV
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Canada535 Posts
April 03 2013 20:02 GMT
#36
Money post +1
The_Templar
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
your Country52798 Posts
April 03 2013 20:59 GMT
#37
This is good.
ModeratorI am still alive, somehow
TL+ Member
Deleted User 135096
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
3624 Posts
April 03 2013 21:27 GMT
#38
On April 04 2013 04:49 JieXian wrote:+ Show Spoiler +

My worry/critique is that it might be too detailed that it would scare beginners, whom I assume is your main target audience, away with an article as concise as this, depends on your intention though

I also suggest putting up some examples or youtube links when you talk about this that are harder to grasp or imagine like the Georgian 2+2+3+2+2 rhythms to us hear some music :D

I have one example of a 3+3+2+2+2 one :D

+ Show Spoiler +
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrVjw76bh5E


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrx9D_D5zrI

+ Show Spoiler +
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFlBBGKyNjc

they're not pros like the other one but just look at that atmostphere!


It's fucking hard because they syncopate the hell out of it but it's fucking goooooooooood so just listen and have fun :D
It certainly walks a line so to speak. Hopefully I've been concise enough and not too obtuse that subsequent readings can reveal more for those who are pretty new to this stuff. That being said, I sort of had to at least touch upon some things now if I ever want to try to approach some of the more advanced topics (like microtonality and tuning systems, or serialism), which is something that I feel is incredibly important to talk about, and not often touched on.
Administrator
sharkeyanti
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States1273 Posts
April 03 2013 21:46 GMT
#39
@wo1wood

I don't think you've been obtuse, but I always found teaching this stuff or learning any sort of theory by myself is much easier with an instrument on hand and lots singing/clapping.
Hi Mom
Jonrock
Profile Blog Joined October 2012
Germany80 Posts
April 04 2013 00:24 GMT
#40
This is a very nice writeup.
However, I think this stuff is all moot, if you just read it and do not learn it practically while learning to play an instrument. It is pointless to know what minor-subdominant-cadenza is if you don't know what it sounds like and cannot hear it in your head.
take apart your head
Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 1h 52m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RotterdaM 779
Nina 529
SteadfastSC 193
StarCraft: Brood War
Bisu 1097
Dewaltoss 131
ProTech117
HiyA 47
Shinee 37
Aegong 25
Dota 2
qojqva2841
monkeys_forever260
PGG 166
capcasts65
Counter-Strike
allub291
Heroes of the Storm
Grubby3963
Liquid`Hasu856
Other Games
tarik_tv6150
Liquid`RaSZi3118
Mlord499
C9.Mang0209
XaKoH 178
Mew2King68
Organizations
Counter-Strike
PGL598
Other Games
BasetradeTV41
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 7
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Reevou 9
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Laughngamez YouTube
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• Eskiya23 17
• Pr0nogo 3
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Other Games
• imaqtpie692
• Shiphtur685
• WagamamaTV383
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
1h 52m
Rogue vs Classic
Patches Events
15h 52m
PiGosaur Cup
1d 3h
Kung Fu Cup
1d 13h
Replay Cast
2 days
The PondCast
2 days
KCM Race Survival
2 days
IntoTheTV X SOOP
4 days
Reynor vs Solar
ByuN vs SHIN
Clem vs MaxPax
herO vs Rogue
WardiTV Invitational
4 days
IPSL
4 days
WorsT vs nOmaD
Dewalt vs andersOn
[ Show More ]
IntoTheTV X SOOP
5 days
WardiTV Invitational
5 days
IPSL
5 days
Azhi_Dahaki vs ggnore13
Double vs WIZARD
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-11-01
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
HCC Season 3

Ongoing

Acropolis #5
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 4
International ShieldBattery League
BSL Season 23
IPSL Winter 2026-27
Proleague 2026-11-02
Calamity Cup Div. A Season 8
IEM Beijing 2026
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 5
1win Private Club #2
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #1
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026

Upcoming

1xBet Invitational
SC4ALL II: Brood War
BSL 23: Non-Korean Championship
HSC XXX
Stellar Fest 2: Lunar Cup
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
BLAST Bounty Winter 2027
eXTREMESLAND 2026
PGL Major Singapore 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 6
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.