Qui a peur de la Chord-Scale Theory?

Abstract

The Chord-Scale Theory (CST) now constitutes a central issue for many musicians and analysts. However, contrary to what one might expect, the relationship between a vertical structure (the chord) and a horizontal structure (the scale or mode) is not self-evident and deserves to be explored in greater depth, drawing on several fields of knowledge. In this article, we propose to understand CST as a Pharmakon, that is, acting in turn as poison, remedy, and scapegoat. After tracing the multiple origins of chord-scale thinking from a historical and perceptual point of view, we highlight what it has been able to bring to musicians. Next, we summarize the numerous criticisms that CST has received, to which we add our own remarks accompanied by musical examples. Finally, we develop our main thesis, namely that CST is neither absolutely a remedy nor absolutely a poison, but rather a reection of a musical practice in the making. 

https://www.lim.it/it/acusfere/6967-acusfere-9788855434812.html#/2-tipo_prodotto-libro