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Scale- A scale is a series of pitches in ascending order, such as D E F G A B C D. There are many kinds of scales, which differ in how many different pitch names they use, and in the pattern of steps they create. Often scales are named both by the starting letter and the pattern of steps.
Diatonic scale- A diatonic scale uses all 7 pitch names once each until the octave is reached.
Major Scale- Major scale is a diatonic scale with the following pattern of steps: 1, 1, 1/2, 1, 1, 1, 1/2. Major scales are named both by the starting letter and the step pattern. For example, a D Major scale will create the major scale pattern of steps starting from the letter D:
D E F#G A B C#D
Minor Scale- The minor scale is a diatonic scale that creates this pattern of steps: 1, 1/2, 1, 1, 1/2, 1, 1. For example, a B minor scale will create the minor scale pattern starting from the letter B:
B C# D E F# G A B
There are some useful concepts to introduce at this time.
Tonal Music- Music with one central pitch, or main pitch. The vast majority of music in the European tradi-tion, or in many world traditions tends to be tonal. Tonal music is written in such away that when the composer wishes to finish, there is one letter that will feel satisfying and complete when the composer stops there. Often tonal music focuses on the letters of a particular scale (although it is common to introduce pitches outside that scale, or shift to other scales in the course of a composition) and the main letter of the scale will be the main pitch for that composition.
Tonic- The main pitch in tonal music, and also the first (and last) letter of a major or minor scale.
Key- In simple terms, a key is the letters of a scale in any order, and its tonic. Music emphasising the letters of a D major scale, and using D as the main pitch, would be described as being in the Key of D Major.
Key Signature- A key signature is a set of accidentals that identify a particular key (usually Major or minor). Key signatures are often written in a pattern on the staff at the beginning of a piece of music both to indicate pitches that are generally altered in that music, and to identify the key.
1 1 1/2 1 1 1 1/2
Rules for accidentals in a Key signature on the staff:
1. Accidentals in a key signature affect all letters of the same name on any staff line or space including those created above or below the staff by ledger lines.
2. Individual accidentals work as described earlier, but in the next measure the music reverts back to the time signature.
The following example illustrates this:
C Bb Ab G A B C D C Bb Ab Ab G F E F Eb D Bb Ab The following chart of keys will include both major and minor keys for each key signature. Key- Generally, the key in music (not to be confused with the keys on a piano) refers to the set of pitches a piece of music is based on. Music in the key of D major is based on the pitches from a D major scale (even though it can use pitches from outside that scale).
Key signature: BEA and D are generally flat.
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The accidentals in a key signature are usually written in a set order which is shown below. The order of sharps for key signatures: F# C# G# D# A# E# B#.
The order of flats for key signatures: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb. Here are all the Major and minor keys arranged by key signature:
Key Key signature Scale
minor key/Major Key Key signature Aminor/C Major 0#/b
E minor/G Major 1# (F#) B minor/D Major 2# (F# C#)
F# minor/A Major 3# (F# C# G#) C# minor/E Major 4# (F# C# G# D#)
G# minor/B Major 5# (F# C# G# D# A#) D# minor/F# Major 6# (F# C# G# D# A# E#) A# minor/C# Major 7# (F# C# G# D# A# E# B#) Ab minor/Cb Major 7b (Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb) Eb minor/Gb Major 6b (Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb) Bb minor/Db Major 5b (Bb Eb Ab Db Gb) F minor/Ab Major 4b (Bb Eb Ab Db)
C minor/Eb Major 3b (Bb Eb Ab) G minor/Bb Major 2b (Bb Eb) D minor/F Major 1b (Bb)
Primary chords- The primary chords are the chords in major or minor keys that reinforce the quality of the key. These chords are built on the first, fourth and fifth letters of the key. Chord identification in a key is often shown as roman numerals, using capitols for major (I, IV, V) and lower case for minor chords (i, iv, v). The primary chords in a major key are major triads. To find the primary chords in a major key, follow these steps:
1. Find the starting letter (root) of each triad (I, IV, V of the key).
2. Find the letters of each triad (1st, 3rd and 5th letter starting from each root). 3. Apply the key signature to the triads.
Example: Primary chords in E Major
1. Root of each triad (I, IV, V): E F G A B E A B
1 2 3 4 5 I IV V
2. Find the letters of each triad: E F G A B A B C D E B C D E F E, G, B; A, C, E; B, D, F 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 I IV V 3. Apply the key signature to the triads: Key of E major has 4 #s (F#C#G#D#)
E, G#, B; A, C#, E; B, D#, F# (accidentals of key signature applied to each triad)
I IV V
Tempo markings: Tempo refers to the speed of the beat, and tempo markings are directions for tempo. Follow-ing are some very common tempo indications from Italian arranged from slow to fast:
Lento- Slow
Largo- Slow (literally: large, a big beat) Adagio- Slow (literally: at leisure)
Andante- Medium speed (literally: a walking speed) Moderato- Medium speed
Allegro- Fast (literally: cheerful) Presto- very fast
Tempo markings often give more of a character than an exact speed. With andante, for example, most people have their own speed for walking, but a walking speed is not to fast, or it would by jogging or running. As with dynamics, these kinds of terms are interpreted by the performer based on a variety of factors. Although the Italian tempo markings are very common, it is not unusual for composers to give tempo markings in their own language. There are also tempo markings that are less subjective, which describe how many beats there are per minute.
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Leading Tone- A leading tone is the 7th letter of a diatonic key when it is a half step to the tonic. Subtonic- A subtonic is the 7th letter of a diatonic key when it is a whole step from the tonic.
Forms of Minor- Unlike the Major scale, the minor scale has a subtonic (whole step from 7th to 8th letter of key). Because of this the minor scale can is often modified when a composer wishes to create a leading tone for a stronger connection to the tonic. The three common forms of minor are as follows:
Natural Minor- Natural minor is the form of minor which is created by the key signature. Harmonic Minor- In harmonic minor the 7th letter of the key is raised 1/2 step.
