Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns

by Nicolas Slonimsky

Overview

The monumental compilation of unfamiliar melodic patterns, an indispensible reference book for musicians in developing superior techniqueSince its first publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres—from Arnold Schoenberg to John Coltrane—have sworn by this legendary volume and its comprehensive vocabulary of melodic patterns for composition and improvisation.One of the most influential works by the late, renowned Russian-American conductor and composer Nicolas Slonimsky, the Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns is the ultimate sourcebook for composers and performers, and has influenced many jazz musicians and composers over the last seventy years. There is a definite symmetry and logic in Slonimsky’s examples: what appear to be random patterns are actually mathematical combinations of some or all of the twelve notes in music. As the musician plays through the examples, the patterns will unfold and become more obvious.Presented in the form of piano scales and melodic studies and arranged according to the principal interval of each particular section, theThesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patternsis an invaluable practice and study source that has been used and endorsed by musicians at every end of the musical spectrum.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781468314755
Publisher:	The Overlook Press
Publication date:	12/11/1975
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	356
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 11.80(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Nicolas
Slonimsky (1894–1995) was a Russian-born American conductor, author, pianist,
composer, and lexicographer. Best known for his writing and musical reference work, he is the author and editor of numerous books on music, including Music Since 1900, Lexicon of Musical Invective, and the redoubtable Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians.

Table of Contents

Introduction		i
Explanation of Terms		vii
Tritone Progression
Equal Division of One Octave into Two Parts		1	(26)
Ditone Progression
Equal Division of One Octave into Three Parts		27	(24)
Sesquitone Progression
Equal Division of One Octave into Four Parts		51	(23)
Whole-Tone Progression
Equal Division of One Octave into Six Parts		74	(9)
Semitone Progression
Equal Division of One Octave into Twelve Parts		83	(8)
Quadritone Progression
Equal Division of Two Octaves into Three Parts		91	(9)
Sesquiquadritone Progression
Equal Division of Three Octaves into Four Parts		100	(6)
Quinquetone Progression
Equal Division of Five Octaves into Six Parts		106	(3)
Diatessaron Progression
Equal Division of Five Octaves into Twelve Parts		109	(15)
Septitone Progression
Equal Division of Seven Octaves into Six Parts		124	(1)
Diapente Progression
Equal Division of Seven Octaves into Twelve Parts		125	(11)
Sesquiquinquetone Progression
Equal Division of Eleven Octaves into Twelve Parts		136	(1)
Heptatonic Scales		137	(18)
Heptatonic Arpeggios		155