Music Theory Applied Music 2206/3206

Treble Clef The treble clef symbolizes high notes on the scale. Instruments that are high often play only in the treble clef. While others, like the piano, have treble and bass clef. Flute, clarinet, violin

Bass Clef Low sounding instruments use the bass clef. Bass Guitar, Cello (mostly), Double Bass

Notes in the Treble Clef SPACES It’s easy to remember notes in the treble clef. The spaces (from bottom to top), spell the word FACE.

Notes in the Treble Clef LINES To remember which notes go on the lines, memorize this saying, “Ernie Gave Bert Dog Food”

Ledger Lines Treble Clef Ledger lines go above or below the staff. You can memorize those notes, or count up or down to get to the appropriate note. Remember to count both lines and spaces.

PRACTICE http://classic.musictheory.net/82 http://musicteachersgames.com/trebleClefOne

Notes in the Bass Clef SPACES To remember the space notes in the bass clef, memorize this saying, ALL COWS EAT GRASS

Notes in the Bass Clef LINES To remember the lines in the bass clef, memorize GOOD BURRITOS DON’T FALL APART

Ledger Lines Bass Clef Ledger lines go above or below the staff. You can memorize those notes, or count up or down to get to the appropriate note. Remember to count both lines and spaces.

PRACTICE http://musicteachersgames.com/bassClefOne

Note & Rest Values

Dotted note & rest values

Add ‘em up! + = + + = + vb = + =

Portfolio Complete pages 3, 4 & 5

Time signatures Tell you the meter of a piece of music

Time signatures 4/4 is also called COMMON time because it is a very common time signature 3/4 is often called a WALTZ 2/4 is often called a MARCH 6/8 is often used (but not exclusively) in folk music

beware Just because a time signature indicates it is counting a certain value (for example, 4/4 counts quarter notes) that doesn’t mean you can only put quarter notes in the measure. You can use other note values that add up to 4 quarter notes per measure.

Scales – Major Scales are constructed of tones and semi tones. If you are using a piano a semitone is when the black and white keys next to each other are played one after the other OR when two white keys (with no black key in between) are played one after the other. THE KEYS ARE RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER. A tone is played when there is a note inbetween the two notes (you do not play the inbetween note), whether it is a black or white key does not matter.

It’s a revelation! SEMI TONE = minor 2nd TONE = Major 2nd

Tone or semitone? Use the keyboard to find tones and semi tones. http://www.virtualpiano.net/

Major scales Tones and semitones make up the major scale. The pattern is ALWAYS as follows. Keep in mind sometimes you may need to add a sharp or flat. T-T-S-T-T-T-S (T=Tone and S=Semitone) To write a major scale, start on the first note of the scale, write up to an octave, and go back to the original note. For example, a C scale can be written without sharps or flats because it follows the pattern of tones and semi-tones naturally.

To help you on the test, you will be given… The pattern of tones and semi-tones A keyboard graphic

Natural minor scales Like major scales, natural minor scales also follow a pattern of tones and semi-tones. This pattern is t - s - t - t - s - t – t (t=tone, s=semi-tone). The A natural minor scale relates to the C Major scale

The E natural minor scale relates to the G Major scale, it has 1 # The B natural minor scale relates to the D Major scale, because it has two sharps. REVELATION: If you count up 3 notes from your natural minor scale, you can find its RELATIVE MAJOR. Then you will know how many sharps or flats to use (or you can just follow the pattern given!)