Story Framework Design Document

Primary Purpose:

The story framework serves as a vehicle to teach music theory and western harmony through narrative worldbuilding, with multiple layers of understanding that deepen as readers/learners advance in their musical knowledge.

Core Design Principles:

  • The fundamental forces of music (tension/resolution) manifest as physical laws in the story world
  • Musical concepts should be embedded naturally in the world's mechanics, not just as metaphors
  • Understanding of the world deepens as musical knowledge increases
  • Stories should be accessible to children but contain deeper meaning for advanced musicians

Audience Structure:

  • Entry Level: Children and beginners can enjoy the surface narrative and basic musical concepts
  • Intermediate: Students beginning to understand theory can recognize deeper patterns
  • Advanced: Musicians can appreciate the complex musical relationships embedded in the worldbuilding

Narrative Layers:

  • Surface Layer: Adventure stories that entertain while teaching basic concepts
  • Middle Layer: Character relationships and plot points that mirror musical relationships
  • Deep Layer: World mechanics that directly correspond to advanced music theory