Thomas Cooke

Biography

Thomas Cooke is a music theorist whose interests are wide ranging. His recently completed dissertation examines how riffs in blues rock music work, and posits an energetic, “impulse”-based theory of riffs which he hopes will lead to future publications. Other current interests include issues of referentiality in the music of Frank Zappa, Schenkerian analysis of common-practice music, the microtonal music of Harry Partch, and a slightly unhealthy obsession with Richard Wagner’s Parsifal.

Outside of his theoretical life, Thomas is a recovering classical guitarist, who owns way too many electric guitars to be no better at playing them than he is. He also enjoys hiking, buying guitar effects pedals, and watching golf and sumo wrestling!