Music Theory on the Web (and in rehearsal!)

Here's the link I promised to the SMU Theory on the Web site:

http://smu.edu/totw/toc.htm

We spent a few minutes at rehearsal tonight (September 8) on SECTION 1: Introduction.

Music is SOUND organized in time.
Pitch is high and low sounds, scientifically measured in frequency (Hz). The orchestra tunes to the oboe's A440. The octave above = A880 (below = A220). The octave is a 2:1 ratio. The E above A440 is E660. A perfect fifth is a 3:2 ratio. A perfect fourth is 4:3, etc. It's all math (thank you Pythagorus!)
Dynamics is loud and soft sounds, scientifically measured in amplitude (Db). In performance (and listening) this is relative.
Timbre (tone color) refers to the quality or character of the sound (bright/dark, oboe vs. violin, etc). Partially related to attack, release, and nature of tone, primarily produced by the OVERTONE signature of each instrument or voice (more on this later).

For Tuesday, September 15th please look at SECTION 2: Rhythm.

After the first few weeks, we'll slow up and make sure you get enough practice and repetition to develop some new skills.