Sheng Karien Analysis Lecture 2: Basics of Linear Music Analysis

Introduction

• Instructor: Dr. Jacob Gran
• Purpose: Laying groundwork for understanding Schenkerian analysis.

Historical Context

• 18th Century Music Theory Issue: "Chicken and egg" problem: Which came first, harmony or melody?
  • Harmony-first Theorists: John Philip Rameau (fundamental bass) and Hugo Riemann (harmonic function).
  • Melody-first Approach: Schenker's analysis, influenced by contrapuntal theorists like Fux and CPE Bach.

Schenkerian Analysis

• Focus: Melodic analysis over harmonic function.
• Levels: Addresses the relationship between harmony and melody without relying heavily on harmonic function.

Figured Bass

• Definition: Numbers above a bass line indicating intervals, realized by continuo players.
• Realization: Multiple interpretations possible, focuses on smooth voice leading and counterpoint rules.
• Common Figures:
  • 5/3: Root position triad, can be omitted when obvious.
  • 6/3 and others: Indicate specific voice leading.
• Example: CPE Bach's passage showing the usefulness of figured bass in linear analysis.

Chromaticism and Counterpoint

• Chromaticism: Indicated with accidentals in figured bass.
• Counterpoint Connection: Figured bass aligns with harmonic intervals in counterpoint exercises.

Graphic Analysis in Schenkerian Method

• Concepts:
  • Imaginary Continuo: Combines figured bass with tone vs. note distinction.
  • Notes vs. Tones:
    • Notes: Written and played pitches.
    • Tones: Mental representations of notes, relevant for analytic notation.

Analyzing Music with Schenkerian Concepts

• Example Analysis:
  • Piece: J.S. Bach's B flat major partita.
  • Method: Figured bass reduction, highlighting implied resolutions (e.g., implied tones).

Analytic Notation Basics

• Stems and Slurs:
  • Stems: Indicate structural tones.
  • Slurs: Show connections or dependencies between tones.
• Example: Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" reduced to stem and slur notation.
• URSATZ- The idea that a piece will start in the tonic- V- bac to tonic
• Prime factorization if the way you can analyze it down to simpler structures

Conclusion

• Next Topic: Horizontalization in Schenkerian analysis.
• Goal: Understanding conceptual hierarchies and connections in music analysis.