In music theory, macro analysis is a method of transcribing, or writing down chords that may be used along with or instead of conventional musical analysis. Uppercase or lowercase letters are used to indicate the roots of chords, followed by symbols which specify the chord quality.
| Triad | Macro analysis symbols | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root | Chord quality | Example | Audio | |
| Major triad | Uppercase | C | Play | |
| Minor triad | Lowercase | c | Play | |
| Augmented triad | Uppercase | + | C+ | Play |
| Diminished triad | Lowercase | o | co | Play |
Slurs are used to indicate motion, with solid slurs connecting roots an ascending fifth or descending fourth apart or dotted slurs indicating leading-tone resolution (in a dominant substitution). Macro analysis, placed below the score, may be accompanied by roman numeral analysis, placed below it.
Other systems of notation for chords include: plain staff notation, used in classical music, Roman numerals, commonly used in harmonic analysis, figured bass, much used in the Baroque era, and various names and symbols used in jazz and popular music.
Famous quotes containing the word analysis:
“Ask anyone committed to Marxist analysis how many angels on the head of a pin, and you will be asked in return to never mind the angels, tell me who controls the production of pins.”
—Joan Didion (b. 1934)