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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">I think the fundamental issue is as
follows:<br>
<br>
Mainstream music theory is "stuck" on a single model of
music, where music is modeled as a "Pattern Of Notes" ("PON".)<br>
PON is obviously a good model, it has been successful for
several hundred years.<br>
However, it misses a lot, and it is especially weak for
analyzing a great deal of contemporary music.<br>
<br>
What is needed now is the following:<br>
- A head-on critique of PON, so that it is very clear what
is good and bad about PON. <br>
In any scientific discipline (I think of music theory as
a kind of scientific discipline), any model has positive and
negative attributes. Let's get clear about this re PON.<br>
- Methodical discussion *at a high level* of alternatives to
PON. Not simplistic partial models, but "big" models that address
the big issues about music.<br>
- More generally a close analysis of how
musicians/music-theorists common "think" about music, and a
critique thereof (We need to think about how we think about music)<br>
<br>
For some years I have been preoccupied with the above. And I am
sorry to report that I haven't found anyone else who is truly
focused on the above issues.<br>
I don't claim to have all of the answers. But I think I have made
some headway.<br>
See <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="http://www.OMSModel.com">www.OMSModel.com</a> for my
latest work - however a revision is in progress.<br>
<br>
One kind of model which is needed - and feasible - is a model that
is built around the way music is experienced.<br>
The best attempt I have seen for this (other than my own?) is the
model that underlies Pandora.<br>
This is a good attempt, unfortunately the experiential attributes
are not well-chosen from a scientific point of view. <br>
I doubt that the leadership at Pandora has had the "musical" skill
necessary for this. Sorry to be so blunt, Pandora.<br>
I have seen some small attempts for models in the field of Music
Cognition.<br>
But the best attempts seem to be small, partial models as opposed
to a BIG model.<br>
(consider David Huron, whose work I like. But he just hasn't
decided to focus on the concept of a big experience-based model. )<br>
<br>
Most scientific disciplines these days make extensive use of
"models".<br>
Consider: Physics; cosmology; biology; economics; sociology;
psychology; ...<br>
It is not good that Music Theory relies on PON almost exclusively.<br>
This is like cosmology before Copernicus !!<br>
<br>
Comments, please .<br>
<br>
Isaac Malitz, Ph.D.<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:imalitz@OMSModel.com">imalitz@OMSModel.com</a><br>
818-231-3965<br>
(I am a Ph.D. Philosophy/Logic, also a very good musician. fyi:
In the world of Philosophy/Logic, issues such as models,
scientific methodology, foundations-of-science, etc are central
subject matter.)<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On 6/1/2014 3:44 AM, Stephen Soderberg wrote:<br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span
style="line-height: 1.5;">I am planning a series of posts on my
blog Essays & Endnotes that may be of interest to some on
this list. Those interested please check in over the next week
or two under the posting string identified as "Desperately
Seeking Relevance: Music Theory Today."</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://essaysandendnotes.blogspot.com/2014/05/desperately-seeking-relevance-music.html">http://essaysandendnotes.blogspot.com/2014/05/desperately-seeking-relevance-music.html</a></div>
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