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Welcome to the world of MUSICON symbols.
MUSICON chord symbols are shorthand symbols for harmonic patterns and progressions, thus functioning as musical icons. Developed by Mr. Paul Holmes, Durham, North Carolina's piano virtuoso, MUSICON is a systematic approach to improvisation and composition that unleashes powerful combinations of rich poly-chordal harmonies and progressions using a very accessible shorthand method. Musicon Symbols: A Creative Approach To Keyboard Harmony is the definitive guide to this unique approach to music theory and harmony.
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Product Details
Wire-bound Book
Original Release Date:
Number of Pages: 100
Publisher: Stillwind Music
Catalog: #?????
Listen to Samples
To hear a song sample using the MUSICON system, click on "Listen."
Product Description
MUSICON chord symbols are shorthand symbols for harmonic patterns and progressions, thus functioning as musical icons. As you may have realized, the term MUSICON is actually a combination of “music” and “icon,” referring to their conceptual source and the symbols that represent them. They are easy to recognize, being single alphabet letters or Arabic numerals in bold face type enclosed by a distinctive bold circle. There are 17 letters and 8 numbers, thus making 25 MUSICON chord symbols that can be initially used. These are organized into 5 general groups for easy reference. These categories are basic, odd numbers, procedures, harmony enhancing, and advanced or directional MUSICON symbols. The addition of superscripts to these symbols and using them in various combinations and permutations expand the catalog of MUSICON chord symbols. These MUSICON symbols can also be used in combination not only with each other but also with other methods of short hand notation, such as standard chord symbols.
An additionally intriguing aspect of these symbols is how they can often be interchanged with each other. The same progression may be notated several different ways using MUSICON symbols. This concept will open the way to harmonically rich sounding arrangements and compositions, limited only by your own choices. Of course, keyboard experience and skills, a well-trained ear, and individual creativity will be your best guides. When you understand how these symbols work, you will see how far you can progress beyond the limits of traditional keyboard harmony.
As with learning any new notation system, MUSICON chord symbols have their own challenges. First and foremost, it is difficult to explain and learn each MUSICON chord symbol as a separate entity since they are so inter-related and so inter-dependent upon each other. Nevertheless, each MUSICON category is approached individually, understanding that their eventual use and application can only be fully realized once these basic concepts are mastered. Only then will you have the facility to use MUSICON symbols in various combinations and configurations; only then will you understand how MUSICON symbols can inform and enrich your musical creativity.
Since harmonic structures usually support a melodic line, you will have to adjust your approach in considering the harmonies under a melody by viewing these chords from the top down, not the bottom up. That is, within the realm of MUSICON chord symbols, harmonies are typically considered from the highest to the lowest pitch or chord member since in the MUSICON method, harmonization usually involves the consideration of a given melody (typically given as the highest musical line). This will become more automatic as we move through the MUSICON chord symbols, and become especially evident when working with odd-numbered MUSICON chord symbols.
If you are arranging an old standard song (or a folk tune, carol, or hymn) at the keyboard, you may write a MUSICON chord symbol on the printed music page and when the music reaches this particular place you would play the MUSICON construction instead of the conventionally printed harmony. In this situation the MUSICON chord symbols are viewed as substitution devices. This “substitution” approach is another way to understand and utilize MUSICON concepts.
As a principal example of a well-known tune, we have selected Somewhere Over the Rainbow to demonstrate how various MUSICON concepts and activities can be realized. We have decided to use a single principal melody, as opposed to a variety of melodies, for several reasons. Firstly, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, in its melodic contour, overall structure, phraseology, and original harmonization, is particularly suited to a wide range of MUSICON treatments. Secondly, it is an easy melody to learn, remember, and play at the keyboard; MUSICON students will not have to learn a variety of melodies. Finally and most importantly, using a single principal tune demonstrates how the same melody can be harmonized using MUSICON symbols in a multitude of ways, instead of simply relying on a standard harmonization.
This does not mean, of course, that MUSICON symbols are only applicable to popular tunes. While it is true that some of the harmonies demonstrated are quite suited to “pop music,” MUSICON symbols can be applied equally well in terms of analyzing certain classical pieces, especially those that involve more extended harmonies such as music from the early twentieth century. Additionally, MUSICON symbols can be used for composition, whether in a more popular vein or in a “new music” approach. Still, while MUSICON symbols may be used for analysis and composition, the harmonization of melodies at the keyboard will remain our focus.
Inevitably, the use of MUSICON chord symbols will result in a variety of arrangements that differ from person to person, and even from performance to performance, in the process of experimenting with different combinations of MUSICON symbols. This richness is at the heart of the creative potential of MUSICON symbols. At the same time, MUSICON concepts provide a more methodical approach to the process of harmonizing melodies and arranging compositions. MUSICON symbols can help you systematically find those harmonies that best suit your aesthetic sensibilities when considering a particular melody instead of merely following a prescribed pattern of harmonies as commonly given in conventional lead sheets, or worse, aimlessly groping around in a harmonic labyrinth in the process of trying to harmonize a given tune. Ultimately, the purpose of this endeavor is to further increase your creative skills as a musician.
For more information on MUSICON, please visit www.musiconsymbols.com.
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