88 THE NATURE OF MUSIC 



tone. This defines the note according to its position 

 on the staff. 



The metrical shape of a note is the sign and index 

 of the relative length of the rhythmic period of a tone. 



2. A syllable is the sign and index of the mode- 

 relation of a tone. By means of the syllables we are 

 able to think and express the mode-relations without 

 any connection with fixed pitch or key. But the terms 

 mode-relation and key-relation become synonymous 

 the moment the mode-relations are pitched or keyed 

 in staff-notation. C Major means (fo-Major pitched 

 or keyed on C, but Major always is c?o-Major whatever 

 be the pitch or key of mode. 



3. A harmonic number is the sign and index of the 

 inherent harmonic relation of a tone. 



4. A scale-number is the sign and index of the rela- 

 tive position of a tone in a scale. In the Roman form 

 these numbers are employed as indices of the sub- 

 harmonies, that is, of regnant harmonies. Thus, for 

 example, the Tonic is marked I, the Dominant is 

 marked V, the two roots being the first and fifth tones 

 of the scale. 



Of all these signs the harmonic numbers are the 

 most important. Through the discovery of original 

 harmony in one voice these harmonic numbers have 

 gained a theoretic and practical value which hitherto 

 they have not possessed. Their report in one voice is 

 exact, synthetic and complete: exact, because their 

 harmonic report is the common report of common 

 feeling and perception ; synthetic, because their exact 

 report of inherent harmonic relation includes the feel- 

 ing and idea of mode, key and interval; complete. 



