Understanding the Differences Between a Musical Note and a Note in Music Theory

The distinction between a musical note and a note in music theory might not seem clear at first glance, but it lies in their primary purposes and how they are used within music and its academic study.

What is a Musical Note?

A musical note is a symbol that represents a specific pitch within a scale or a particular frequency in hertz (Hz). These notes are the building blocks of music, similar to how words are the building blocks of language. Musicians use these symbols to notate and perform melodies, chords, and various musical passages. The symbols are legible to performers, allowing them to read and interpret the music accurately.

What is a Note in Music Theory?

A note in music theory, on the other hand, refers more to a concept rather than a concrete symbol. It is a term used in academic and analytical contexts to describe specific musical ideas, relationships between notes, and theories about how music functions. These notes in theory often encompass chords, scales, intervals, and progressions, but they are not marked on sheet music. They are instead used to describe and analyze the structure and meaning of music.

Analogies for a Deeper Understanding

To illustrate this distinction, let's use an analogy. When we communicate using language, we use words which are made up of letters. Similarly, when musicians communicate using sound, they use notes which are made up of pitches. These pitches (musical notes) can be combined to form chords and other musical structures, much like words can be combined to form sentences. But in theory, we might analyze these words (musical notes) to understand their relationship to each other, just as we analyze the structure of a sentence to understand its meaning.

Just as we read sentences to understand their meaning, we read notes in music theory to understand their function and significance within a piece of music. This is why a note in music theory can encompass a wealth of information about chords, progressions, and other critical elements.

Examples and Application

Let's explore a classical example to better understand the difference. Consider a piece of music where a V6-4 (five-six-four) chord is used. In harmony, this chord often signals a leading tone or a resolution. However, in music theory, a note such as an E-flat in this context can be analyzed in various ways:

Harmony

The first example is a cadence where the V6-4 chord on the third beat needs a proper V chord (dominant) to resolve. In this case, the E-flat major functions as a cadential V6-4 that should ideally resolve to a V chord. The V6-4 in this context feels unresolved and creates a sense of tension. This resolution, however, leads to a first-inversion V chord (V6) of vi (the relative minor). This creates a secondary dominant function, essentially serving as a deceptive cadence in an authentic cadence form. The authentic cadence typically follows the pattern V-I, where the dominant chord resolves to the tonic.

Voice Voicing

Looking at the voicing, the way notes are arranged within chords is crucial. In the given example, an Eb in the alto voice serves different purposes: initially as the fifth of the IV chord and then as the seventh of the V6-5 chord. The first Eb is stable, but the second Eb requires resolution downwards to D. This resolution is crucial for a proper cadence. In cadence 1, the soprano drops from G to F (the seventh of the c-minor chord), and the bass moves from B-natural to C (the root of the same chord). In cadence 2, the soprano also drops to F, the alto to D, and the tenor to G. The bass remains stable, maintaining root position to satisfy the resolution.

Melody

The melody, often carried by the soprano, must balance with both harmonic and melodic functions. A well-crafted melody supports the harmony without dominating it. The soprano’s movement from G to F in the first cadence satisfies both the harmonic and leading-tone resolution expectations. This stability is important for cohesive musical phrases.

In summary, musical notes represent concrete sounds with fixed pitches, while notes in music theory represent abstract concepts that help us understand music's structure and function. Understanding this difference is essential for both performers and theorists to enhance their comprehension and appreciation of music.

Tl;dr: Musical notes are the concrete symbols on sheet music, while notes in music theory are the abstract ideas behind these symbols that help us analyze and understand musical structures.