Trace To The Source Of Function Theories And Term Comb

In his Harmony Simplified-Theoiy of the Tonal Functions of Chords, Riemann utilized the word function (Funktion) which was drawn from mathematical field to imply relationships between chords and the center of tonal. Although the implication of harmonic function haven’t been conceptualized during that time, the concept of harmonic function still should be connected with ideas of theorists of that time and they should be traced back to Rameau together. The theory of harmonic function which has been accepted in European and East Asia had a major influence during the times of Riemann.The Harmonic function theory has been a crucial harmonic theory in China. For the limit of some special historical reason, we Chinese had no chance to study the Harmonic function theory directly. It was the version of Russian and the experts from Soviet Russia that the only way by which we Chinese learn the Harmonic function theory. This fact maybe can well account for why we Chinese know little about the extensive sky of harmonic theory beside the Harmonic function theory. Moreover, even if we Chinese have studied Harmonic function theory for more than half a century, facing to the original Functional theory, we still have no enough courage to say "sure" about its derivation of theory, history and modern development, which is harmful to our development of harmony theory.As we all know well, methods and roadmap are two important factors of academic research. With the attitude that depth in depth, the author had a suffering travel seeking to give a clear clue of the development of harmony function theory, from Rameau, Riemann to Russia and to China. Finally, I refer to Henry Klumpenhouwer’s latest research; make a brief overview of Neo-Riemannian theory in recent twenty years.In the process of studying, I learned that the well known harmony theory of Sposobin is not equivalent to the overall content of function harmony, just as we know that the function theory also does not mean the overall content of harmony. The theory and practice of traditional harmony are rich content.Aiming at pursuing the step of the theory of harmony in the world, to talk about the education of traditional harmony, we should remold our ideals on the premise of science and traditional study. Advanced educational content, meaning and standard of training should be emphasized here. I do think that facing the highly opened door of our state; it is high time to alter the embarrassing situation of being puzzled by only a harmony book or a doctrine for so many years.