From Modes to Keys in Early Modern Music Theory

From Modes to Keys in  Early Modern Music Theory successfully and masterfully explores the origins of the major and minor harmonic system that is currently used in music. In particular, its focus is the transition between the use of modes in the renaissance to the standard major and minor key system used from the baroque period to the current day. Surprisingly, this transition was incredibly complex, with factors (both short and long term) coming from a wide range of sources.
 The text first begins with a thought provoking introduction to the origin of modal music from antiquity to the Middle Ages. The discussion is supported with excellent references to primary theoretical musical sources; numerous tables to illustrate the difference between various modal constructions, as well as keen musical examples (with scores) which helps solidify and contextualism the arguments given. 
We then proceed in the later chapters to develop the story which leads us to the foundations of the two mode (major and minor) musical system we primarily use today. 
The final section of the book also draws inference and highlights the connections that the tonal key system had to aspects of science during the period.
An exciting feature of all the chapters is the inclusion of many historical images and illustrations which aids the reader in digesting  the material. 
This text is highly accessible to a wide range of musical audiences, who are curious about the history, development and reasoning behind the system of tonality we employ today.




From Modes to Keys in Early Modern Music Theory
by Michael R. Dodds 
ISBN: 9780199338153
Price: £71.00

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