: Rameau argued that every chord has a "root" or fundamental note, regardless of which note is in the bass. This allowed for the identification of a core harmonic identity.
The (originally Traité de l'harmonie réduite à ses principes naturels ) is a monumental 1722 work by French composer and theorist Jean-Philippe Rameau . Often cited as the foundation of modern Western music theory, it shifted the focus of music from horizontal melody to vertical harmony , establishing the mathematical and functional rules for tonality. Core Theoretical Contributions Treatise on Harmony
The treatise is divided into four distinct books that move from abstract math to practical performance: : Rameau argued that every chord has a