Schenkerian analysis is a highly influential method for understanding tonal music, developed by Austrian music theorist Heinrich Schenker. Its central premise is that a great musical work is an elaboration, or "prolongation," of a simple, fundamental background structure known as the Ursatz. This Ursatz typically consists of a descending melodic line (Urlinie), often from the third, fifth, or octave scale degree, supported by a bass line that arpeggiates the tonic triad (Bassbrechung). The process of analysis involves "reducing" a musical piece, stripping away layers of ornamentation and detail to reveal this underlying framework. This is often visualized through a series of "Schenkerian graphs" that show the foreground (the surface of the music), the middleground (intermediate levels of structure), and the background (the Ursatz). The goal is to demonstrate the organic unity of a composition, revealing how a complex and seemingly disparate collection of notes and chords is all ultimately derived from a simple, elegant tonal prototype. While a cornerstone of modern music theory, Schenkerian analysis remains a subject of debate due to its prescriptive nature and focus on Western art music.