When teaching the chapter on “Tones & Semitones”, I always have two rules: This is very important not only to define these terms but to understand how to apply this theory to your musical instrument. So, let’s start: First it’s the Tone (Τόνος) or Whole Step: The large acoustic distance between two consecutive notes. And…
Category: Music and Art History
Happy Piano Day – 29/3
Every year, on the 88th day of the year, we celebrate World Piano Day! The date is no coincidence. It honours the 88th keys of this magnificent instument. The story of every pianist, regardless of level, begins with: Straight back, relaxed shoulders, loose and straight wrist, round finger – don’t look at your nails while…
Happy Twin Peaks Day – 24/2
“Diane, 11:30 AM, February 24th. Entering the town of Twin Peaks.” With those iconic words, Special Agent Dale Cooper drove into a new world. It was a world of good coffee, cherry pies, and a mystery that would haunt us forever: Who killed Laura Palmer? But as Cooper began his investigation into the tragic death of the…
Chapter 1: The Middle Ages: The Beginning of Polyphony
Time period: 6th century (c. 450) – 1450 AD After the fall of the Roman Empire and the establishment of Christianity across the European continent, Europe entered a long period often described as one of stagnation. The Crusades, the invasions of barbarian tribes, the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, poor living conditions, and…
Early Christian Church Music: East & West (1st-6th Century)
Introduction During the first six centuries of Christianity, church music played a central role in worship. It was not secular and carried a theological message. The music was monophonic, consisting of a single melodic line, and it did not use instruments. The rhythm followed the text, and music was transmitted mainly by oral tradition. Initially,…
Listening Guide for the Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert
Happy New Year 2026 Wishing you a year full of health, happiness, creativity, and beautiful music. The new year begins with the elegant and joyful melodies of the Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert, one of the most beloved classical music events worldwide. Every January 1st, music lovers welcome the year with waltzes, polkas, galops, and…
“Blinding Lights” Rhythm Analysis – Music Theory Explained
Analyzing Rhythm in Blinding Lights – Syncopation & Simple Meter Disclaimer: This analysis is for educational purposes only. All rights to the music and composition of Blinding Lights belong to their respective owners. This breakdown is created to support music theory learning and rhythmic analysis. What makes Blinding Lights by the Weeknd so rhythmically addictive?…
Handel’s Sarabande in D Minor, HWV 437
One of the most beautiful pieces of Baroque music! This Sarabande is a part of his Suite in D minor and written for harpsichord (a collection of keyboard works) around 1703-1706 in Hamburg and Italy. What is a Suite? “Suite music” refers to a suite, which is a collection of short musical pieces played in…