THEORY of
VARIABLE
TONALITY™
David Knorr's Theory of Variable Tonality™ (TVT) is a comprehensive six-volume framework designed to reinterpret and simplify musical language for today's music, music of the past, and music yet to be made.
Here's a summary of its core ideas:
Purpose and Scope
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TVT reorganizes musical materials to make them more accessible for improvisation, composition, and analysis.
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It provides tools to understand contemporary music first, then explores past music, ultimately laying a foundation for future musical developments.
Structure of the Series
The theory is divided into six volumes, each focusing on a different aspect of music theory:
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Rudiments – Covers basic music theory and introduces the foundational language of TVT.
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Harmonic Progression – Explores harmonic progression, and introduces some core concepts of TVT.
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Modes & Melody – Focuses on modal systems and melodic construction.
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Tonal Expansion – Introduces ways to broaden tonal frameworks.
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Multiple Tonalities – Examines the coexistence and interaction of different tonal centers.
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Symmetrical Tonality & Atonality – Investigates symmetrical structures and atonal music.
Application
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TVT is central to instrumental practice.
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It includes studies in:
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Harmony: Chords, voicings, and key systems.
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Melody: Scales, arpeggios, and melodic systems.
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Comprehensive Studies: Integration of scales, arpeggios, and chords.
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Educational Philosophy
David Knorr’s approach emphasizes clarity and adaptability, making complex musical ideas more intuitive for students and professionals alike. It’s designed to evolve with the changing landscape of music.
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