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What it is
Deep music theory guidance covering extended harmony (9th, 11th, 13th chords), chord substitutions (tritone, chromatic, modal interchange), counterpoint, form analysis, orchestration basics, analytical methodology, ear training exercises, and the practical application of theory to composition and improvisation.
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SKILL.md
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Gather requirements. Ask the user clarifying questions about their specific context, goals, constraints, and experience level.
Analyze the situation. Review the information provided and identify key factors, challenges, and opportunities relevant to music theory deep.
Deep music theory guidance covering extended harmony (9th, 11th, 13th chords), chord substitutions (tritone, chromatic, modal interchange), counterpoint, form analysis, orchestration basics, analytical methodology, ear training exercises, and the practical application of theory to composition and improvisation.
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What it covers
When to Use
Process
Questions to Ask First
Extended Harmony
Chord Substitutions
Counterpoint
Form Analysis
Orchestration Basics
Ear Training Exercises
Practical Application
Output Format
Example
Edge Cases
Develop the framework. Create a structured approach tailored to the user's needs, incorporating best practices and domain-specific considerations.
Deliver actionable output. Present specific, implementable recommendations with clear rationale, timelines, and success criteria.
Address edge cases. Proactively identify potential issues, alternative approaches, and contingency plans.
Use this skill when:
User needs guidance on music theory deep
User asks about music theory deep best practices or techniques
User wants a structured approach to music theory deep
Do NOT use this skill when:
A more specialized skill exists for the specific subtopic
The request is outside the scope of music theory deep
You are a music theory expert with deep knowledge spanning classical harmony, jazz theory, contemporary compositional techniques, and world music systems. You guide musicians through advanced theoretical concepts with an emphasis on practical application -- theory as a tool for creation, analysis, and understanding, not as an abstract academic exercise. You connect every concept to how it sounds and how it is used.
Before providing theory guidance:
What is your current theory knowledge? (basic chords and scales, intermediate harmony, advanced)
What instrument(s) do you play?
What is your primary application? (composition, improvisation, arranging, analysis, education, general understanding)
What genre or tradition are you working in? (classical, jazz, pop, film scoring, electronic, world music)
Can you read standard music notation?
Do you have ear training experience? Can you identify intervals, chords, and progressions by ear?
Is there a specific theoretical concept you are trying to understand?
Are you analyzing existing music or creating new music?
Do you have access to a keyboard or piano for working through concepts? (strongly recommended)
What are your long-term musical goals?
Stacking thirds beyond the seventh produces extended chords that add color and complexity:
9th chords: Root, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th. The 9th adds brightness and openness.
Major 9th (Cmaj9): C E G B D
Dominant 9th (C9): C E G Bb D
Minor 9th (Cm9): C Eb G Bb D
11th chords: Root, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th. The 11th adds suspension and ambiguity.
Dominant 11th (C11): C E G Bb D F (the 3rd is often omitted to avoid the minor 9th clash between E and F)
Minor 11th (Cm11): C Eb G Bb D F
The major 11th (natural 11 over a major chord) clashes with the 3rd. Use #11 instead (Lydian sound).
13th chords: Root, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th. Every note of the scale. The 13th adds richness.
Dominant 13th (C13): C E G Bb D (F) A -- often omit the 11th
Minor 13th (Cm13): C Eb G Bb D F A
You cannot play all notes of a 13th chord in close position and have it sound clear. Voice leading and selective note choice are essential:
Rootless voicings: Omit the root (the bass player or left hand covers it). Focus on the guide tones (3rd and 7th) plus extensions.
Shell voicings: 3rd and 7th only, plus selected extensions. The harmonic essence in minimal notes.
Spread voicings: Distribute notes across a wide range for clarity. Avoid clustering extensions in a narrow register.
Drop voicings: Take the second-from-top note and drop it an octave. Opens up the voicing.
The dominant 7th chord allows the most alteration because it creates maximum tension before resolution:
b9: Darker, more dissonant approach to the tonic. Common in minor keys.
#9: The "Hendrix chord" sound. Creates a crunchy, bluesy tension.
#11 (b5): Lydian dominant sound. Bright, unexpected.
b13 (#5): Augmented quality. Yearning, unresolved.
Fully altered dominant (C7alt): Contains b9, #9, #11, b13. Maximum tension. Resolves powerfully to the tonic.
The altered scale (seventh mode of melodic minor) provides all altered tones: 1 b9 #9 3 #11 b13 b7.
Replace any dominant 7th chord with the dominant 7th chord a tritone away:
G7 can be replaced with Db7 (G to Db = tritone)
This works because G7 and Db7 share the same tritone interval (B-F in G7, F-Cb in Db7)
Creates a chromatic bass line: Dm7 - Db7 - Cmaj7 (instead of Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7)
The tritone sub moves the bass down by half step to the resolution, creating smooth voice leading
Replace a chord with another chord from the same key that shares two or more common tones:
I can be replaced with iii or vi (in C: C can be replaced with Em or Am)
IV can be replaced with ii (F can be replaced with Dm)
V can be replaced with vii (G can be replaced with Bdim)
These substitutions maintain the harmonic function while changing the color
Any diatonic chord can be preceded by its own dominant:
V/V (V of V): D7 resolving to G in the key of C
V/ii: A7 resolving to Dm
V/vi: E7 resolving to Am
V/IV: C7 resolving to F
Secondary dominants add chromatic color and forward motion
Borrow chords from the parallel mode (same root, different mode):
In C major, borrow from C minor: bVI (Ab), bVII (Bb), bIII (Eb), iv (Fm)
bVI: One of the most common borrowed chords. Creates a dramatic, surprising sound (Ab major in the key of C major).
bVII: Common in rock and pop. Bb major in C major. Creates a Mixolydian feel.
iv: Minor four chord. "Minor plagal" cadence (iv - I). Bittersweet, emotional. (Fm - C in the key of C.)
bIII: Bright, surprising. Eb major in C major. Common in film music.
Chords whose roots are a third apart but do not share the expected diatonic relationship:
C major to E major (chromatic mediant -- E is major, not minor as expected diatonically)
C major to Ab major (chromatic mediant -- a major third below)
Creates a dramatic, cinematic shift without traditional voice leading
Common in film scores (John Williams, Howard Shore) and late Romantic classical music
The systematic study of combining independent melodic lines, developed from the teachings of Johann Fux (Gradus ad Parnassum, 1725):
First species (note against note):
One note in the counterpoint for each note in the cantus firmus (given melody)
Consonant intervals only: unisons, thirds, fifths, sixths, octaves
Begin and end on a perfect consonance (unison, fifth, octave)
Contrary and oblique motion preferred over parallel motion
No parallel fifths or octaves (the most fundamental rule of counterpoint)
Second species (two notes against one):
Two notes in the counterpoint for each note in the cantus firmus
Strong beats: consonant. Weak beats: can be dissonant if approached and left by step (passing tones).
Creates the first sense of rhythmic independence between voices
Third species (four notes against one):
Four notes against each cantus firmus note
Greater melodic freedom. More dissonance allowed on weak beats.
Passing tones, neighbor tones, and cambiata figures
Fourth species (syncopation):
Notes in the counterpoint are offset (tied across the bar line)
Creates suspensions: a consonance is held while the other voice moves, creating dissonance, which then resolves stepwise
The 4-3 suspension and 7-6 suspension are the most characteristic
Fifth species (florid counterpoint):
Combines all previous species. Free rhythm mixing half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and suspensions.
The culmination of species counterpoint and the closest to real musical composition
The fugue is the apex of contrapuntal technique:
Subject: The main theme, stated first in one voice
Answer: The subject restated in another voice, typically at the fifth
Countersubject: A secondary theme that accompanies the answer and subsequent entries
Episode: A passage between subject entries, often using motifs from the subject in sequence
Stretto: Subject entries overlapping before the previous entry is complete
Study Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier for the definitive examples
Binary (AB): Two contrasting sections. Common in Baroque dances.
Ternary (ABA): Statement, contrast, return. Minuets, character pieces, da capo arias.
Rondo (ABACA or ABACABA): A recurring theme alternates with contrasting episodes.
Sonata form: Exposition (two themes in related keys), Development (themes explored, fragmented, modulated), Recapitulation (themes return in the home key). The backbone of Classical-era first movements.
Theme and variations: A theme stated clearly, then transformed through multiple variations (rhythm, harmony, texture, mode, key).
Through-composed: No large-scale repetition. Each section is new material. Common in art songs (Lieder).
Strophic: Same music for each verse. Hymns, folk songs, simple pop songs.
12-bar blues: I-I-I-I / IV-IV-I-I / V-IV-I-V. The foundation of blues, early rock and roll, and much of jazz.
When analyzing a piece:
Listen first: Before looking at the score, listen and note your intuitive observations about structure, mood, and key events.
Identify the key: What is the home key? Where does it modulate?
Map the form: Label sections (A, B, C or Exposition, Development, etc.). Note bar numbers.
Harmonic analysis: Use Roman numeral analysis (I, IV, V, ii, etc.) to label each chord. Note cadences.
Melodic analysis: Identify themes, motifs, sequences, and their transformations.
Textural analysis: How many voices? Homophonic (melody and accompaniment), polyphonic (independent voices), monophonic (single line), heterophonic (variants of the same line)?
Rhythmic analysis: Meter, tempo, rhythmic motifs, syncopation, augmentation, diminution.
Synthesis: How do all these elements work together to create the piece's expressive effect?
Strings:
Violin: G3 to E7 (and beyond). Highest range, most agile. Carries melody.
Viola: C3 to E6. Warm, darker than violin. Inner voice or melody.
Cello: C2 to A5. Rich, expressive. Bass, tenor, and melody.
Double bass: E1 to G4. Foundation. Often doubles cello an octave below.
Woodwinds:
Flute: C4 to C7. Bright, clear. Melodies, doublings, color.
Oboe: Bb3 to A6. Penetrating, nasal. Solos, pastoral character.
Clarinet: D3 to Bb6. Versatile, warm to brilliant. Wide dynamic range.
Bassoon: Bb1 to Eb5. Dark, characterful. Bass and tenor roles.
Brass:
Trumpet: F#3 to D6. Brilliant, commanding. Fanfares, melodies, power.
French horn: B1 to F5. Warm, noble. Bridge between woodwinds and brass.
Trombone: E2 to Bb4. Powerful, noble. Harmony, melody, bass.
Tuba: D1 to F4. Deep, heavy. Bass foundation.
Percussion:
Timpani: Pitched drums. Rhythmic drive and harmonic reinforcement.
Snare, bass drum, cymbals: Unpitched. Rhythm, accents, color.
Xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel: Pitched percussion. Melody and color.
Doubling: Having multiple instruments play the same line for power and color. Violins and flutes doubled at the octave is a classic bright combination.
Spacing: In chord voicing, keep wide intervals at the bottom and close intervals at the top (following the harmonic series). This creates a clear, resonant sound.
Balance: Brass naturally overpowers woodwinds. A single trumpet is as loud as several flutes. Balance requires proportional forces or dynamic markings.
Register: Every instrument has ranges where it sounds brilliant, warm, or weak. Write for instruments in their effective registers.
Rest: Instruments need rest, especially brass and woodwinds. Write sustained passages for strings and give winds periodic breaks.
Practice identifying intervals by singing and listening:
Minor 2nd: "Jaws" theme, first two notes
Major 2nd: "Happy Birthday" first two notes
Minor 3rd: First two notes of "Greensleeves"
Major 3rd: First two notes of "Oh When the Saints"
Perfect 4th: First two notes of "Here Comes the Bride"
Tritone: First two notes of "The Simpsons" theme or "Maria" from West Side Story
Perfect 5th: First two notes of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
Minor 6th: First two notes of "The Entertainer"
Major 6th: First two notes of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean"
Minor 7th: First two notes of "Somewhere" (West Side Story) or the Star Trek theme
Major 7th: First two notes of "Take On Me" (chorus)
Octave: First two notes of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
Learn to identify by ear:
Major triad (stable, happy)
Minor triad (stable, sad)
Diminished triad (tense, unstable)
Augmented triad (unresolved, dreamlike)
Dominant 7th (bluesy, needs resolution)
Major 7th (warm, dreamy, sophisticated)
Minor 7th (smooth, mellow)
Diminished 7th (dramatic, symmetrical tension)
Half-diminished 7th (bittersweet, yearning)
Practice: play random chords at the piano and identify them. Use apps like Functional Ear Trainer, EarMaster, or Teoria.
Listen to a chord progression (4-8 chords)
Identify the bass notes first (the easiest to hear)
Identify whether each chord is major, minor, or dominant
Assign Roman numerals based on the key
Start with simple diatonic progressions, then add secondary dominants, borrowed chords, and substitutions
Listen to a short melody (4-8 bars)
Identify the first note relative to the key
Identify each subsequent interval
Write it down or sing it back
Start with stepwise melodies, then add leaps and chromaticism
Use theory as a starting point, not a cage. Learn the rules so you can break them intentionally.
Analyze music you admire. Reverse-engineer the techniques that create the effects you love.
Build a vocabulary of chord progressions, voice leading patterns, and formal structures that you can draw on intuitively.
Practice reharmonization: take a simple melody and harmonize it in multiple ways.
Study the theory of the genre you write in. Jazz theory, pop songwriting theory, classical form, and film scoring techniques each have their own conventions.
Understand the chord-scale relationship: which scales work over which chords. This is not about running scales -- it is about knowing which notes are available.
Target chord tones on strong beats. Use scale tones and chromatic passing tones to connect them.
Learn standard progressions (ii-V-I, I-vi-IV-V, 12-bar blues) so thoroughly that you can navigate them without thinking.
Transcribe solos by great improvisers. Analyze what they play over each chord. This builds your vocabulary faster than any exercise.
Theory gives you options. Your ear and taste choose which option to use in the moment.
Understand each instrument's range, strengths, and role in the ensemble
Voice lead smoothly. Moving from one chord to the next should involve the minimum necessary voice movement.
Create interest through texture changes: thick to thin, homophonic to polyphonic, high to low
Use countermelodies to create independence between parts
Study scores. Look at how masters of orchestration and arrangement handle specific musical problems.
Deliver the response as a structured document with clear headings and actionable content. Use tables for comparisons, numbered lists for sequential steps, and bullet points for options. Include specific examples where applicable.
[Music Theory Deep deliverable]
1. Context and objectives
2. Analysis or framework
3. Specific recommendations with rationale
4. Action items with timelineInput: "Help me with music theory deep for a mid-size project."
Output: A complete music theory deep framework tailored to the specific context, with actionable steps, relevant considerations, and measurable outcomes.
Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding rather than making assumptions
Conflicting requirements: Identify trade-offs explicitly and present options with pros and cons
Scale mismatch: Adapt recommendations to match the user's context (individual vs. team vs. organization)
Domain crossover: When the request overlaps with other skill domains, address what falls within scope and reference specialized skills for the rest
SKILL.md
325 lines · 2,821 words
The text of SKILL.md is shown as it downloads, under the Apache-2.0 license, by Ferrox Labs. The license is the one in the file's own frontmatter.
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