Tonality

by Molly Malcolmson Gustin

This work shows that the syntax of tonal music, as defined herein, is richer than that of atonal music, in that it presents more possibilities of unity, variety, complexity, order, consistency, and continuity than does the syntax of atonal music. Since the semantics of music is the direct result of the syntax, the form and the content of music being inseparable, it follows, according to the author, that the expressive possibilities of tonal music are greater than those of atonal music.

Genres: Music

100 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Mrs. Gustin was a beloved member of the teaching faculty of Thomas Aquinas College for 36 years, from the College’s second year, 1972, until her retirement in 2008. Her career in education spanned more than half a century, having previously taught at Portland State University and St. John’s College in Annapolis and Santa Fe. She earned her doctorate in music at the University of Indiana, Bloomington, and her background in music theory proved invaluable in the establishment of the Thomas Aquinas music tutorial.