Introduction
A Definition of Music
In it’s broadest possible sense, music is defined as “organized sound.” This openended and safe definition is coherent regardless of era, style, culture, or the
mechanics of musical organization. Each successive historical era produces
musically artistic expressions of its own time, its own musical aura. The study of
Music Theory is the means by which we investigate this.
A Definition of Music Theory
Music Theory is the study of music and its organizational characteristics. We define
and examine aspects of music:

• How do we perceive music aurally?
• How do we experience music aesthetically and?
• How do we symbolize music visually?
  We learn to associate sound with symbol (or notation), so to increase our ability to
  perceive music at levels of increasing depth and comprehension, both
  experientially and analytically.
  The Purpose of Music Theory
  The study of the language of music yields three unshakeable tenets:
• We learn to analyze music in order to gain an understanding of the
  how great composers create. We use it as a “window” into their minds,
  if you will;
• We learn to analyze music in order to deepen our own understanding,
  either as musicians or consumers of this form of artistic expression.
• We employ the knowledge gained in the study of music to stimulate
  and enhance our own creativity.
  Among the community of musicians, the greater our comprehension, the more
  sublime our interpretation. This creates a more meaningful experience for our
  audience. This is the ultimate focus of the study of music.
  As consumers, the more we understand about music, the more refined is our ability
  to intelligently evaluate what we enjoy. It is the intelligent consumer of Art who is
  the greatest supporter of Art.