Harmony and Counterpoint: difference and similarities [Guide with Examples]
Harmony and Counterpoint: a complicated relationship? Let’s face it: there are lots of people that get confused when it comes to understand the difference between harmony and counterpoint, and the deep foundations of their relationship within the borders of Western music theory. When did counterpoint and harmony come into existence? What did these terms […]
What is a Whole Note? Definition, symbol and duration [Audio Examples + Exercises]
All you need to know about the whole note in music What are the symbols used for the whole note and whole rest? How many beats do they last? How does a whole note differ from the half note and quarter note? If you want a clear and detailed answer to the most important questions […]
Double Whole Note: symbols, duration and history [Audio Examples + Scores]
History and meaning of the double whole note or breve Have you ever seen a whole note with two lines on each side? If the answer is yes then you’ve come across a double whole note, also known as breve in the British musical terminology, a particular kind of note value which rarely appears in […]
Difference between C Major and A Minor: chords, scales and emotions
Preliminary questions How can I tell the difference between C major and A minor in terms of chords and scales? What do music theorists mean when they say there is a relationship between C major and A minor? If you love music and are interested in understanding its building blocks, then it’s important for you […]
What is Archaeomusicology? Definition, methods and research goals
Meaning of the word Archaeomusicology The term Archaeomusicology derives from the fusion of two words: archaeo and musicology. ‘Archaeo’ indicates something related to an ancient time or civilization, something that can be studied through the collection, analysis and interpretation of archaeological remains. The word Musicology, for its part, refers to a specific subset of academic […]
Difference between chamber and orchestral music: 7 factors to consider
What’s the difference between chamber and orchestral music? There are at least 7 factors that determine the difference between chamber and orchestral music: the number and type of instruments, concert venues, the role of conductor, genre, duration and performance context. The purpose of this article is to go through each of these factors and clarify […]
Difference between syllabic, melismatic and neumatic singing | Definitive guide with examples
Syllabic, melismatic and neumatic singing: what’s the difference? The purpose of this guide is to answer the following questions: What does syllabic and melismatic mean in music? More specifically: What is the difference between syllabic, melismatic and neumatic singing? Let’s begin by saying that syllabic and melismatic are types of singing styles that characterize sacred […]
Clefs in Gregorian chant: complete guide [with examples]
Clefs in Gregorian chant: typology and function Before talking about the typology and function of clefs in Gregorian chant, I think it may be useful to provide a concise definition of the term clef. What do we mean by clef? In music, a clef is nothing but a key to notate, interpret and perform correctly […]
Difference between musicology and ethnomusicology: 5 aspects to consider
Musicology and ethnomusicology: so far, so close There was much debate among the scholars over the specific elements that make musicology different from ethnomusicology and, I have to admit, the amount of literature covering this topic is too large to be summarized appropriately in the limited space offered by a blog post. However, this doesn’t […]
Difference between a libretto and a script
Libretto and script: preliminary definitions What is the difference between a libretto and a script? Before providing an answer to this question, I think it can be helpful to give a definition of these two terms. The word “libretto” derives from the universe of Italian opera and can be translated as “small book” while by […]
