Discussion
Welcome to the thinkingMusic Discussion page! If you are already familiar with www.thinkingmusic.ca, and would like to discuss its contents, simply go to “Categories” (at the top of the sidebar, on the right), and select “General Discussion”.
www.thinkingmusic.ca is a website dedicated to the musical analysis of jazz, modern classical, and classical music, with an emphasis on jazz harmony and classical harmony. It includes analysis of jazz standards by John Coltrane, a study of Igor Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat, and provides information on private, long distance music lessons in jazz and classical harmony.
The following links will take you to the www.thinkingmusic.ca pages:
- www.thinkingmusic.ca: The site’s homepage.
- www.thinkingmusic.ca/analyses: Table of contents for the musical analyses at www.thinkingmusic.ca.
- Giant Steps, Central Park West, and Modulatory Cycles — John Coltrane’s harmonic technique: An in-depth look at the harmonic techniques behind John Coltrane’s Giant Steps and Central Park West, compositions that brought the equal subdivision of the octave front and centre within the jazz world.
- thinkingHarmony: Table of contents for detailed discussions of jazz and classical harmony, that have been excerpted from correspondence with long distance music students.
- Just Friends: A detailed harmonic analysis of John Klenner’s jazz classic, that describes Just Friends’ harmonic structure, and its use of sequence, mode change, modulation, substitute chords, secondary dominants and pivot chords.
- Classical Harmony – using Aldwell & Schacter’s Harmony and Voice-Leading: A guided tour through Unit 9 of this university-level classical harmony textbook. Includes detailed corrections of exercises using IV, ii, ii6, V, V6, V7, V6/5, V4/3, V4/2, vii6, I and I6 chords.
- Common-tone Modulation: An introduction to “common-tone modulation” — a technique of interest to Romantic, Impressionist, and jazz composers, that can be used to expressive effect.
- Figured Bass — what it is, and how it works: A detailed description of the baroque practice of ‘figured bass’ (also referred to as ‘thoroughbass’ and/or ‘basso continuo’), and how it is used in modern harmonic analysis.
- Music Theory Lessons — private, long-distance instruction in jazz & classical harmony: Studies in jazz, classical and Impressionist harmony, for serious musicians, composers, and music students. Instruction is one-on-one, person-to-person, and completely geared to each student’s requirements. University level, for novices to advanced.
www.thinkingmusic.ca is the work of Michael Leibson (please see About Michael Leibson). It was created as a way of sharing ideas about music, and to give those who are interested in furthering their musical studies a view of Michael’s teaching methods. All articles may be freely used, provided that their authorship is clearly credited to “Michael Leibson, www.thinkingmusic.ca”. Copies may be given, free of charge, but are not to be sold or traded.
Ideas are meant to be communicated, and so you are part of the equation! Please feel welcome to add your own observations, initiate (or take part in) a discussion, or to just say hello! To begin, go to “Categories” (at the top of the sidebar, on the right), and select “General Discussion”.
All the best,
Michael Leibson
www.thinkingmusic.ca