Suggested Theory Background
Many people who have little formal training approach Figuring Out Melody with strong intuitions and a general sense for how music works and have a great experience. Others are overwhelmed by the technical terms. The baseline theory requirements for learning melodic figuration are not as strict as you might think. If you have a good sense of the items on this page, you’ll glide through. As for the terms that don’t sound familiar, look them up in an internet search.
scales and keys
- major and minor scales
- keys and key signatures up to 4# and 4b (75% of all examples in FOM have keys with 2#/b or less.)
- relative major/minor keys
- the circle of fifths
chords and intervals
- triads: major, minor, diminished triads
- seventh chords: dominant 7th, minor 7th, major 7th, diminished 7th, half-diminished 7th (a.k.a. “minor 7 flat 5”)
- sus 4, add 2, add 9
harmonic function
- tonic, subdominant, and dominant chords
- Roman numerals for chord functions; basic lead sheet chord symbols
- common substitutions/extensions for tonic, subdominant, and dominant
- secondary dominants
- scale degrees and their tendencies
meters
- duple: C, 4/4, 𝄵, 2/4
- triple: 3/4, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8
rhythmic values
some helpful (and free) music theory links
Music Theory for the 21st Century Classroom
Fundamentals, Function, and Form