Beginning Music Theory

Training PDF

https://mysticdance.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Music-Theory-Introduction.pdf

00:15:38 Sky Roshay: Here’s the text of the link:

Music Theory Introduction: The things you need to know about music itself. 

Music is a thing you can learn. Music theory is basically the language of music. 

We’ll be covering the following

  1. What is a note?
  2. What does pitch and range mean?
  3. What does key mean?
  4. What is the first note?
  5. What is rhythm and groove?
  6. Understanding the needs of your different musicians (rhythm, guitar, melodic). 

Notes:

  • This is where we start do-re-me, and Doe a Deer. 
  • Demonstrate on little keyboard and flute
    — Theory: a key is made up of 7 specific notes, chords are made up of the notes in a key
       (There are lots of incidentals in dance music, but don’t worry about that for now. Your musicians will figure that out)
    —Note: all these details are in play when singing even if you are doing it acapella.

00:18:28 Sky Roshay:

Key is the thing your musician needs to know to get you in the right pitch and range.
There are two options here:

  1. You’ll either step into the circle knowing what key you want it to be in
  2. Or you’ll work with your musicians, mostly your guitar player, to find the key
    — Pro tip… it’s best to know beforehand if at all possible.

00:19:27 Sky Roshay:

Pitch and range basically means: Is it too high or too low?
 – You need to know this so you can communicate, mostly with your guitar player, to get the song in a range that is comfortable for you and for the circle.
 – The difference between women’s and men’s voices.

00:25:51
Rahmana Gaile: Hi – let’s all use higher and lower voices instead of women and men’s voices. Thanks!

00:30:31 Sky Roshay:

Rhythm and groove

  1. Understand 4 and 3 (and 2, 8 and 6)
  2. How to express the groove to your musicians
  3. What is a rest? (a rest is actually a thing, not just a mysterious silence)
  4. Where is the 1?
  5. What is an upbeat? (Madre Tierra example)
  6. What is a sustain?

00:37:31 Sky Roshay:

There is a good article by Munir Peter Reynolds that covers some of this as well as the energy and atmosphere of musicianship:
https://dancesofuniversalpeace.org/posts/articles-papers-musicianship-for-the-dances-of-universal-peace-notes-by-peter-munir-reynolds

00:40:27 Sky Roshay:

Different musicians

  1. Guitar players need to know the key so they can find the right chords (and or capo position)
    — Do know that it’s easy for a guitar player to make a song higher by putting on a capo. Making it lower is tricker and will need a bit more time. 
  2. Drummers and percussion need to know the time signature, speed & groove
  3. Melodic instruments need to know the key so they can find the right notes easily.

00:47:42 Rahmana Gaile: what is the circle of 5ths app please?

00:47:54 Sierra Tunafish Monkeymind Salin: Do you have a link to that keyboard?

00:47:56 elianna lakshmi: Zareen, what is that web address again for the piano

00:48:22 Sky Roshay: I will ask Z those questions, thanks everyone1

00:48:24 Sky Roshay: !
00:50:24 elianna lakshmi: Reacted to “I will ask Z those…” with 👍

00:54:07 Wendy Eklund: It is great when leaders tell us whether or not the dance has a writeup

00:56:15 Sky Roshay:
Open tuning basics in G
https://dancesofuniversalpeace.org/posts/articles-papers-basics-of-open-g-tuning

00:56:46 Sky Roshay:
https://dancesofuniversalpeace.org/posts/articles-papers-advanced-chords-and-music-theory-for-open-tuning

00:57:01 Sky Roshay: h
ttps://dancesofuniversalpeace.org/posts/articles-papers-overview-of-open-tunings-for-the-dances-of-universal-peace

00:58:22 Zareen:
Piano https://www.musicca.com/piano

00:58:37 Zareen:
Virtual guitar: https://www.apronus.com/music/onlineguitar.htm

00:59:40 Sky Roshay:
Besides the links to the DUP IN website articles, you can find a lot of info here: https://mysticdance.com/dlt/

00:59:49 Sierra Tunafish Monkeymind Salin:
https://randscullard.com/CircleOfFifths/

01:00:06 Sierra Tunafish Monkeymind Salin: google

01:01:27 Ann Jenneman:
is that circle of 5ths to help a melody player be able to transpose to a new key?

01:01:43 Rahmana Gaile: Replying to “https://randscullard…”

thanks. is that for apple or android?

01:02:15 Wendy Eklund: Tools note, Alto Recorder is in normal voice range

01:02:24 Sierra Tunafish Monkeymind Salin: Replying to “https://randscullard…”

I just googled interactive circle of fifths now…

01:03:22 Sierra Tunafish Monkeymind Salin:
What’s the address where recording of this zoom will be?

01:03:25 Rosemary Dupray: Could you repeat the circle of dance web and and circle of peace app. Does the circle of fifth app explain how to use it also?

01:03:31 Rahmana Gaile: thank you so much for all the time and care you’ve taken with this !!!!

01:03:57 Sky Roshay: Replying to “What’s the address w…”

https://mysticdance.com/dlt

01:05:52 Sky Roshay: Reacted to “thank you so much fo…” with ❤️

01:06:53 Rahmana Gaile: Replying to “https://randscullard…”

❤️
01:10:19 Zareen: Mysticism of Sound and Music

01:10:20 Ann Jenneman: Zareen, I would like to ask you for some dance chords from your

dances in PM. May I have your email address?
01:10:40 Zareen: Replying conniedelaney@gmail.com

01:12:58 Ann Jenneman: Reacted to “conniedelaney@gmail….” with 🙏