Identifier

etd-11152012-040803

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Music

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

This study provides an original triadic theory that combines existing jazz theory, in particular the chord/scale relationship, and mathematical permutation group theory to analyze repertoire, act as a pedagogical tool, and provide a system to create new music. Permutations are defined as group actions on sets, and the sets used here are the constituent consonant triads derived from certain scales. Group structures provide a model by which to understand the relationships held between the triadic set elements as defined by the generating functions. The findings are both descriptive and prescriptive, as triadic permutations offer new insights into existing repertoire. Further, the results serve as an organizational tool for the improviser and composer/arranger. In addition to the ability to describe individual triadic musical events as group actions, we also consider relationships held among the musical events by considering subgroups, conjugacy classes, direct products and semidirect products. As an interdisciplinary study, it is hoped that this work helps to increase the discourse between those in the music subdisciplines of mathematical music theory and jazz studies.

Date

2012

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Peck, Robert

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.3698

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Music Commons

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