The Tools Of Music 3 - Tonal Harmony

Interval: An interval is the distance between two notes. Intervals are counted from the lower note to the higher one. Intervals come in different qualities and size. If the notes are sounded successively, it is a melodic interval. If sounded simultaneously, then it is a harmonic interval.

The smallest interval used in Western music is the half step. A visual representation of a half step would be the distance between a consecutive white and black note on the piano. There are two exceptions to this rule, as two natural half steps occur between the notes E and F, and B and C. A whole step is the distance between two consecutive white or black keys. It is made up of two half steps.

Interval quality can be described as Major, Minor, Perfect, Augmented, and Diminished. Intervals size can be described as: Unisons, Seconds, Thirds, Fourths, Fifths, Sixths, and Sevenths. 2nds, 3rds, 6ths, and 7ths can be found as Major and Minor. Unisons, 4ths, 5ths, and Octaves are Perfect intervals.
Using the C major scale identify the interval quality and size in respect to the keynote C.


When a major interval is raised by a half step, it becomes augmented.
When a major interval is lowered by a half step, it becomes minor.
When a major interval is lowered by two half steps, it becomes diminished.

When a minor interval is raised by a half step, it becomes major.
When a minor interval is raised by two half steps, it becomes augmented.
When a minor interval is lowered by a half step, it becomes diminished.

When a perfect interval is raised by a half step, it becomes augmented.
When a perfect interval is lowered by a half step, it becomes diminished.

INVERSIONS OF INTERVALS
Intervals can be inverted. The lower note is raised up an octave so that the top note/bottom note relationship is reversed. The chart below shows the inversions of intervals.

Qualities

* Major becomes Minor
* Minor becomes Major
* Perfect remains Perfect
* Augmented becomes Diminished
* Diminished becomes Augmented

Size

* 2 becomes 7
* 3 becomes 6
* 4 becomes 5
* 5 becomes 4
* 6 becomes 3
* 7 becomes 2


Interval Identification
It is important to be able to hear and identify intervals. This is a very important thing for musicians to do. Here is a list of familiar songs that will help you to identify the intervals.

m2- Stormy Weather
M2- Happy Birthday
m3- The Impossible Dream
m3 - So Long, Farewell from The Sound of Music
M3- Halls of Montezuma
P4- Here comes the bride
A4- Maria from West Side Story
P5- Star Wars
P5 -Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
M6- NBC theme music
m7- Somewhere from West Side Story
M7- Bali Hai from South Pacific
Octave- Over the rainbow

Revival - making it personal

"As long as we are content to live without revival, - we will." Leonard Ravenhill

Focus Verse
Psalm 139:23-24
“23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Ask God to reveal areas that may not be completely surrendered to Him. These are not always personal sin areas they often are areas of trust and love. If we are influenced by our love and trust of people, friends, family, money, work, ritual - more than a God centered love and trust, then we have areas to surrender. What are some things that may be competing with your love for God? Ask God to reveal what generates your attitude. Agree with God about each need he reveals

Going Deeper
2 Corinthians 5:17
Jeremiah 17:5
Matthew 10:37

The Tools Of Music 2

In The Tools Of Music 1 we took a look at the structure of the major scale. The first note of the scale is called the “root”. The root note also indicates the “Keynote” of the scale. The keynote of the C major scale is - C .

When music is based on the C major scale, we say the music is in the “key” of C.

The root is which note of the scale?

The keynote is which note of the scale?

The key of a composition is established by using the notes of a particular Scale.

Revival - breaking ground

"Revival is what happens when God’s people, whether individually or corporately, are restored to a right relationship with Him." - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Focus Verse
Hosea 10:12
“Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you”


Hosea 10:12-13
12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you. 13 You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, Because you trusted in your own way, In the multitude of your mighty men.

Ask God what it means to “break up your fallow ground”?

Grieve over your sins

Accept God’s mercy

Make seeking God your highest pursuit.

Going Deeper
2 Kings 22:8-13, 18-20
Ezra 10:1-12
Jeremiah 3:19-4:4
James 4:4-10

The Tools Of Music 1

Most of the music composed between 1600 and today is based upon major and minor scales. Music of this type is called tonal music. In tonal music the first note of the scale predominates over the other notes of the scale.

Music based on the C major scale, for example, is said to be in the key of C. The notes of the C major scale are:
C D E F G A B C

The major scale is always constructed in the same pattern of whole and half steps as follows:
1 1 1/2 1 1 1 1/2

Practice building major scales using the major scale pattern in the following keys:
D - A - E - Bb - F - G

Revival - building on faith

"Revival is what happens when God’s people, whether individually or corporately, are restored to a right relationship with Him." - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Focus Verse
Hosea 10:12
“Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you”

Psalm 85:6-9
6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. 8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints— but let them not return to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
According to these verses, who needs revival?

What are some of the results of revival?

Going Deeper
2 Kings 22:8-13, 18-20
Ezra 10:1-12
Jeremiah 3:19-4:4
James 4:4-10