FAQ

What is contained in a music analysis?
A music analysis contains helpful information about the composer, style, form, key, modulations, and signs and terms of a piece. The analyses range in length from one to twelve pages, with the level of detail varying according to the complexity of the piece. Please click here for more information.

How is the music analysis delivered?
The analysis is delivered in pdf format, via a link that is available online at the completion of the order process. The link will also be emailed to you. Each item can be downloaded up to three times, within 21 days of ordering.

Is this website secure?
Any personal information collected by this website (name, email address and country of residence) is kept securely, and will never be used for any purpose other than the supply of music analysis as requested, and the occasional newsletter for subscribers. Credit card details are not stored, and transactions are processed securely by PayPal or Stripe.

Who uses these music analyses?
Our analyses have been used by thousands of students and teachers at primary, secondary or early tertiary level. They use basic analytical techniques, avoiding complicated jargon. The analyses are suitable for students preparing for grade or diploma performance exams, or secondary school music courses, as well as any musicians who want to understand the background to a piece of music more fully. They are not intended for students of advanced musical analysis at a tertiary level.

Why do teachers use these products?
Many teachers find there is just not enough time in the music lesson to cover general knowledge and analysis thoroughly. Some teachers look for a range of opinions to supplement their own analysis.

Why do students use these products?
The notes are clearly presented, easy to study from, and contain very specific information about the piece that is often very difficult to locate elsewhere. Some students have passed their diploma exams with distinction after using Ross Hamilton’s music analyses, with comments in their reports such as “thoroughly researched” and “obvious depth of knowledge”.

Why are some items listed more than once?
Many items can be purchased as an individual work/movement, and also in a collection.

For most students, the individual work/movement will be sufficient for their needs.

The collections provide an economical way to obtain information about several different works or movements. Teachers, parents and older students often prefer these because they provide better value for money. They contain the same level of detail about each piece as the individual analyses.

If you purchase a collection, there is no need to buy the individual item as well, because you will just be duplicating the information about that piece.

Why are specific editions sometimes mentioned?
Different editions of a piece can sometimes vary in their bar numbering and expression markings.

What does “urtext” mean?
Urtext refers to the original version of a piece, without any added performance instructions by an editor.

How long will it take for me to receive my order?
Download links are received immediately (online and also by email) following a successful purchase. It is advisable to download the file straight away. The download links are valid for 21 days, and each file can be downloaded a maximum of 3 times. Please ensure you save your files as soon as possible. If there are any problems with your order, please contact the office.

Can I receive a discount if I place a large order?
Yes, we offer a 10% discount for orders over $100, also 20% for orders over $200 and 30% for orders over $300.

Can I order a full harmonic analysis of a piece?
Complete harmonic analysis (chord by chord) is usually not available. The analyses listed on this website contain a clear and concise overview of the harmonic process, drawing attention to cadences and other significant chord progressions, but do not contain an analysis of every chord in the piece.

Can I buy sheet music or CDs from your website?
This site only contains musical analysis and other theoretical resources for music study, not sheet music or recordings.

I want to use the information from your analytical notes in an assignment. Do I need to acknowledge the source?
Yes, you always need to acknowledge your sources in a bibliography. Here is a suggested format:

Hamilton, Ross A., Unpublished analysis of Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 1, Sydney, 2008.