The Foundations of Music

Originally published in 1919, this book examines the junction between music and psychology, particularly harmony.

Henry J. Watt (Author)

9781107634411, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 3 April 2014

256 pages
24.4 x 17 x 1.4 cm, 0.41 kg

Originally published in 1919, this book examines the junction between music and psychology, particularly harmony. Watt discusses the roots of key features of music, such as consecutive fifths, pitch and musical aesthetics. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in music and the theories underlying its construction and reception.

Preface
1. The reduction of instrumental tones to a single series of pure tones
2. Analytic description and theory of the series of pure tones
3. Degrees and theory of consonance and dissonance (fusion)
4. The relations of fusion to beats, partials, and difference-tones
5. The consonance of successive tones
6. The nature of interval
7. The musical range of pitch
8. Our point of view towards the auditory field
9. The relative importance of synthesis and of analysis
10. The equivalence of octaves
11. Consecutive fifths
12. The system of facts regarding consecutives
13. The reason for the prohibition of consecutives
14. Exceptions to the prohibition of consecutives
15. Hidden octaves and fifths, etc.
16. A fourth from the bass
17. Common chords or concordance
18. Melodic motion in relation to degrees of consonance
19. Melody (or paraphony) as the primary basis of music
20. The factors that modify paraphony
21. Retrospect and the outlook for theory
22. Synopsis or outlines of instruction
23. The objectivity of beauty
24. Aesthetics as a pure science
Works cited
Index of authors
Index of subjects.

Subject Areas: Music [AV]