Have you ever wondered where the music “language” that we understand as Western Music came from?
When you grew up you were accustomed to the system of music that seems to be in vogue everywhere in the Western world.
Only later did you find out that there are other systems of music in the non-western world that use different scales and tones and even micro-tones! But your ear was averse to those sounds!
Just like many other cultural traits, the music that was developed by the “Western” cultures can be traced back to the Greek and Latin societies and the Renaissance of Europe.
All melodies and harmonies in Western music are based on just 12 notes.
“Whether it’s a sumptuous symphony, flourishing concerto or your favourite song, it will contain 12 familiar tones - and be based around familiar intervals between these tones – identified, honed and relied on throughout Western music history to create the melodies we know and love today.” - Classic FM
Let's talk about the sounds we hear with our ears.
The sounds can be high or low, or loud or soft etc. Pitch is a specific sound at a specific height heard by your ears. Each note has certain frequencies which give them their specific “height” or pitch.
What is pitch?
Pitch, specifically, is the auditory sensation of highness or lowness and is determined by the frequency of sound waves.
The tonal pitch increases with frequency. Thus, the frequency of middle C is 256 Hertz, and the frequency of the A above is 440 Hertz.
Who decided or how did it come about that our western music system only comprises of 12 basic “notes”?
The answer is simply: convention and usage based on pleasing-to-the-ear sounds. This will be discussed in more detail in an article on “Why there are only 12 notes in the Western Music System”.
Why do we have a 12 tone scale system and who decided it?
The answer to this and related questions is that through time conventions and usage shaped what is now known as the Western Music System.
The development of musical instruments in vogue with this system also played a major role in the growth and application of the principles of this system. (See the article on the “Development of the Modern Piano”)
What is the system?
Today we know that 12 basic tones form the basis of the whole system, and that all Western music from Classical piano to modern rock uses the same system.
It all starts with what is known as an octave.
“An octave” is the range or sound that starts at a certain sound and ends at the same sound that is of a higher sound frequency.
Thus an octave may be from middle C to the next C which is an octave higher or lower. There are 12 different sounding tones in an octave.
Like the most of us, you would have been initiated in Western Music from birth, and have acquired a taste for the principles and features embedded therein.
Just as you would regard vanilla as the default form of ice cream, you would regard the Western Music as the default form of music.
If you come from a non-western culture you would probably have been exposed to other music systems, like micro-tonal systems and your approach and experience would be different to the degree you have accommodated such systems.
You might even regard a non-western system as the default. There are no rights or wrongs in this game – it is all about experiencing and enjoying music.
The Western musical system is a complex yet elegant framework that underpins the music we hear and enjoy.
The concept of sound
At its core is the concept of sound, produced by vibrations that travel through the air and are perceived by our ears.
These sounds vary in pitch, loudness, and timbre, forming the basis of musical expression.
What is pitch?
Pitch, specifically, is the auditory sensation of highness or lowness and is determined by the frequency of sound waves.
The Western system divides the range of audible pitches into a series of tones, which are organized into octaves.
The octave:
An octave is the interval between two notes with a frequency ratio of 2:1. This means that the highest note in an octave is twice the frequency of the lowest.
The tones in between the octave:
Within an octave, the Western system traditionally employs twelve distinct tones, known as notes. These notes are represented by the letters A to G, with sharps or flats to denote intermediate pitches.
Creating of scales:
The specific arrangement of the consecutive notes following one after the other creates scales.
The arrangement of these notes forms scales, which serve as the foundation for our melodies and harmonies.
The use of different scales in Western music:
Different scales, such as major, minor, and modal scales, impart distinct characteristics to music.
The major scale gives the music a clear and “happy” feel, while using a minor scale brings a sadder feel.
When using the modal scales, the music tends to move away from a distinct home base or a tonal center. This was especially used in the pre-baroque period.
The interplay of melody and harmony:
The combination of notes is where the art of music truly emerges.
Melodies, consisting of a sequence of notes, creating the horizontal dimension of music.
Harmony, involving the simultaneous sounding of multiple notes, adds depth and richness.
“The interplay between melody and harmony, along with rhythm and dynamics, forms the intricate tapestry of musical composition.”
In conclusion - a sophisticated structure
In conclusion, the Western musical system is a sophisticated structure built upon the fundamental elements of sound, pitch, octave, and note.
Through the careful combination of these elements, composers and musicians create a vast and diverse array of musical expressions that continue to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.
