Music Theory 101 Snack Theatre 2014

Quick Review – Staff, Clef, System A staff is made up of five horizontal lines and four spaces A staff is made up of five horizontal lines and four spaces A clef is a musical symbol placed at the beginning of the staff that determines the letter names of the lines and spaces. A clef is a musical symbol placed at the beginning of the staff that determines the letter names of the lines and spaces. The two main clefs are the treble and the bass: The two main clefs are the treble and the bass: A single vertical line drawn to the left of multiple staffs creates a grand staff and a system, indicating that the music on all the staffs is to be played/sung at the same time. A single vertical line drawn to the left of multiple staffs creates a grand staff and a system, indicating that the music on all the staffs is to be played/sung at the same time. Treble ClefBass Clef Treble Clef (TOP) Bass Clef (BOTTOM)

Quick Review – Bar Lines, Repeats A measure or bar line refers to the vertical lines drawn through the staff to mark off metrical units. A measure or bar line refers to the vertical lines drawn through the staff to mark off metrical units. A double bar-line can consist of two single bar-lines drawn close together, separating two sections within a piece, OR a bar-line followed by a thicker bar-line, indicating the end of a piece. A double bar-line can consist of two single bar-lines drawn close together, separating two sections within a piece, OR a bar-line followed by a thicker bar-line, indicating the end of a piece. A repeat sign looks like the music end, but it has two dots, one above the other, indicating that the section of music that is before is to be repeated. The beginning of the repeated passage can be marked by a begin-repeat sign; if this is absent the repeat returns to the beginning of the piece or movement. A repeat sign looks like the music end, but it has two dots, one above the other, indicating that the section of music that is before is to be repeated. The beginning of the repeated passage can be marked by a begin-repeat sign; if this is absent the repeat returns to the beginning of the piece or movement. ABC D E F G H

Notes Each type of note has a specific look and a specific duration: Each type of note has a specific look and a specific duration: A note value may be augmented by adding a dot after it. This dot adds the next lower note value, making it one and a half times its original duration. A note value may be augmented by adding a dot after it. This dot adds the next lower note value, making it one and a half times its original duration. 1 beat + ½ beat = 1.5 beats 2 beats + 2/2 beats = 3 beats “one and two and three and four and…” “one ee and ah, two ee and ah, three ee and ah, four ee and ah…”

Triplets and Syncopation Triplets - Whereas normally two quarter notes are the same duration as a half note, three triplet quarter notes total that same duration. Similarly, three triplet eighth notes are equal in duration to one quarter note. Triplets - Whereas normally two quarter notes are the same duration as a half note, three triplet quarter notes total that same duration. Similarly, three triplet eighth notes are equal in duration to one quarter note. Syncopation - A shift of accent in a passage or composition that occurs when a normally weak beat is stressed. Syncopation - A shift of accent in a passage or composition that occurs when a normally weak beat is stressed.

Time Signatures Time signatures indicate the meter the song is in which indicate how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat. Time signatures indicate the meter the song is in which indicate how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat. Simple time signatures consist of two numerals, one stacked above the other: Simple time signatures consist of two numerals, one stacked above the other: the lower numeral indicates the note value which represents one beat (4 = quarter, 8 = eighth, 1 = whole, etc) the lower numeral indicates the note value which represents one beat (4 = quarter, 8 = eighth, 1 = whole, etc) the upper numeral indicates how many such beats there are in a bar the upper numeral indicates how many such beats there are in a bar For instance, 2 / 4 means two quarter-note beats per measure 6 / 8 means six eighth-note beats per measure - often felt in “2” (1,2,3) + (1,2,3) A is sometimes used to refer to 4 / 4 time A is sometimes used to refer to 4 / 4 time The most common time signatures that we will deal with are The most common time signatures that we will deal with are

Rhythms and Syncopation Example 1 Example 2 Example 3

Pitches Pitches are named after the first seven letters of the alphabet (A B C D E F G) and follow that same order for both treble and bass clef. Pitches are named after the first seven letters of the alphabet (A B C D E F G) and follow that same order for both treble and bass clef. Some standard acronyms to help remember the notes on a staff are: Some standard acronyms to help remember the notes on a staff are: The smallest interval used is the half step. A visual representation of a half step would be the distance between a consecutive white and black note on the piano. There are two exceptions to this rule, as two natural half steps occur between the notes E and F, and B and C. A whole step is made up of two half steps. The smallest interval used is the half step. A visual representation of a half step would be the distance between a consecutive white and black note on the piano. There are two exceptions to this rule, as two natural half steps occur between the notes E and F, and B and C. A whole step is made up of two half steps. Letter names are modified by the accidentals. A sharp raises a note by a half-step, and a flat lowers it by the same amount. A natural is an accidental which cancels previous accidentals and represents the unaltered pitch of a note Letter names are modified by the accidentals. A sharp raises a note by a half-step, and a flat lowers it by the same amount. A natural is an accidental which cancels previous accidentals and represents the unaltered pitch of a note A flat, C sharp, A natural

Pitches – Application C natural C natural Bb Bb D# D# E# E# G# G# Ab Ab

Pitches – Answers C natural C natural Bb Bb D# D# E# E# G# G# Ab Ab

Key Signatures A key signature is a series of sharp or flat symbols placed on the staff, that are to be consistently played one 1/2 step higher or lower than the equivalent natural notes. A key signature is a series of sharp or flat symbols placed on the staff, that are to be consistently played one 1/2 step higher or lower than the equivalent natural notes. Key signatures are generally written immediately after the clef at the beginning of a line Key signatures are generally written immediately after the clef at the beginning of a line A key signature will have either sharps or flats, but there will not be any key signatures with both. A key signature will have either sharps or flats, but there will not be any key signatures with both. To determine the key based on the key signature: To determine the key based on the key signature: If the key signature has sharps, look at the position of the last sharp and raise it by a half-step to get the key. For example, if the last sharp is C, raise it a half step which is D, the key is D major. If the key signature has sharps, look at the position of the last sharp and raise it by a half-step to get the key. For example, if the last sharp is C, raise it a half step which is D, the key is D major. When the key signature has flats, look at the second to the last flat and you get the key. So for example A flat is the second to the last flat sign in the key signature, this means the music is in A flat major. When the key signature has flats, look at the second to the last flat and you get the key. So for example A flat is the second to the last flat sign in the key signature, this means the music is in A flat major. The exception to this rule is F major because it only has one flat and C major because it has no flats or sharps. The exception to this rule is F major because it only has one flat and C major because it has no flats or sharps

Intervals Intervals are the distance between two notes Intervals are the distance between two notes Major intervals Major intervals M2 – Happy Birthday, Silent Night M2 – Happy Birthday, Silent Night M3 – I Could Have Danced All Night, When the Saints Go Marching In M3 – I Could Have Danced All Night, When the Saints Go Marching In P4 – Here Comes The Bride, Taps P4 – Here Comes The Bride, Taps M5 – Star Wars Theme, Twinkle Twinkle M5 – Star Wars Theme, Twinkle Twinkle M6 – NBC Theme, My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean M6 – NBC Theme, My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean M7 – Bali Hai, M7 – Bali Hai, M8 (octave) – Somewhere Over the Rainbow M8 (octave) – Somewhere Over the Rainbow Minor intervals Minor intervals m2 – Jaws m2 – Jaws m3 – O Canada, So Long, Farewell, Doorbell m3 – O Canada, So Long, Farewell, Doorbell min 2 nd Maj 2 nd min 3 rd Maj 3 rd Perfect 4 th Aug 4 th Dim 5 th Perf 5 th min 6 th Maj 6 th min 7 Maj 7 Octave

Reading an octavo Bei Mir Bist du Schon Bei Mir Bist du Schon Title Title Page Number Page Number Style/Tempo Description Style/Tempo Description Music Part (SATB, SSA, SAB, 2 – Part) Music Part (SATB, SSA, SAB, 2 – Part) Dynamics Dynamics “rit.” “rit.” “unison” “unison” Measure number – boxed and unboxed Measure number – boxed and unboxed Breath marks Breath marks Fermata Fermata Breaks Breaks

Codas Coda (Italian for "tail") designates a passage that brings a piece/movement to an end. It may be as simple as a few measures, or as complex as an entire section. Coda (Italian for "tail") designates a passage that brings a piece/movement to an end. It may be as simple as a few measures, or as complex as an entire section. Da Capo meaning from the beginning. It is often abbreviated D.C. Da Capo meaning from the beginning. It is often abbreviated D.C. Dal Segno meaning from the sign. It is often abbreviated D.S Dal Segno meaning from the sign. It is often abbreviated D.S Segno Coda

Codas Da Capo al Fine (D.C. al Fine): repeat from beginning to the end (or up to the word fine, should that appear at the end of the passage – the word fine itself signifying “end”). Da Capo al Fine (D.C. al Fine): repeat from beginning to the end (or up to the word fine, should that appear at the end of the passage – the word fine itself signifying “end”). Dal Segno al Fine (D.S. al Fine): repeat from beginning to the end (or up to the word fine should that appear at the end of the passage – the word fine itself signifying “end”). Dal Segno al Fine (D.S. al Fine): repeat from beginning to the end (or up to the word fine should that appear at the end of the passage – the word fine itself signifying “end”).

Codas Da Capo al Coda (D.C. al Coda): repeat from beginning to an indicated place and then play the tail part (the coda). Da Capo al Coda (D.C. al Coda): repeat from beginning to an indicated place and then play the tail part (the coda). Dal Segno al Coda (D.S. al Coda): instructs the musician to repeat back to the sign, and when Al coda or To coda is reached jump to the coda symbol Dal Segno al Coda (D.S. al Coda): instructs the musician to repeat back to the sign, and when Al coda or To coda is reached jump to the coda symbol

Addendum

Reading An Octavo Title Title Page Number Page Number Repeat Beginning Repeat Beginning Repeat Ending Repeat Ending Dynamics Dynamics Measure Number Measure Number Chord Chord Time Signature Time Signature Key Signature Key Signature Staccato Staccato “Slide” “Slide” Treble Clef Treble Clef Bass Clef Bass Clef Tempo Tempo

Reading An Octavo Title Title Page Number Page Number Repeat Beginning Repeat Beginning Repeat Ending Repeat Ending Dynamics Dynamics Measure Number Measure Number Chord Chord Time Signature Time Signature Key Signature Key Signature Staccato Staccato “Slide” “Slide” Treble Clef Treble Clef Bass Clef Bass Clef Tempo Tempo

Dynamics Dynamics refers to the volume of a note/piece/sound Dynamics refers to the volume of a note/piece/sound The two basic dynamic indications in music are: The two basic dynamic indications in music are: p or piano, meaning "soft" p or piano, meaning "soft" f or forte, meaning "loud" f or forte, meaning "loud" More subtle degrees of loudness or softness are indicated by: More subtle degrees of loudness or softness are indicated by: mp, standing for mezzo-piano, meaning "moderately soft" mp, standing for mezzo-piano, meaning "moderately soft" mf, standing for mezzo-forte, meaning "moderately loud“ mf, standing for mezzo-forte, meaning "moderately loud“ pp “pianissimo” meaning “very soft” pp “pianissimo” meaning “very soft” ff “fortissimo” meaning “very loud” ff “fortissimo” meaning “very loud” Two Italian words are used to show gradual changes in volume. Crescendo, abbreviated cresc., translates as "gradually becoming louder", and diminuendo, abbreviated dim., means "gradually becoming softer". The alternate decrescendo, abbreviated to decresc., also means "gradually becoming softer“. Two Italian words are used to show gradual changes in volume. Crescendo, abbreviated cresc., translates as "gradually becoming louder", and diminuendo, abbreviated dim., means "gradually becoming softer". The alternate decrescendo, abbreviated to decresc., also means "gradually becoming softer“.

Tempo Tempo (Italian for time) is the speed/pace of a given piece. Tempo (Italian for time) is the speed/pace of a given piece. The tempo of a piece will typically be written at the start of a piece of music, and is usually indicated in beats per minute (BPM). This means that a particular note value (for example, a quarter note or crotchet) is specified as the beat, and the marking indicates that a certain number of these beats must be played per minute. The greater the tempo, the larger the number of beats that must be played in a minute is, and, therefore, the faster a piece must be played. The tempo of a piece will typically be written at the start of a piece of music, and is usually indicated in beats per minute (BPM). This means that a particular note value (for example, a quarter note or crotchet) is specified as the beat, and the marking indicates that a certain number of these beats must be played per minute. The greater the tempo, the larger the number of beats that must be played in a minute is, and, therefore, the faster a piece must be played. Basic Tempo Markings: Basic Tempo Markings: Largo – broadly (40–50 BPM) Largo – broadly (40–50 BPM) Adagio – slow/stately (literally, "at ease") (51–60 BPM) Adagio – slow/stately (literally, "at ease") (51–60 BPM) Adagietto – rather slow (61–80 BPM) Adagietto – rather slow (61–80 BPM) Andante – at a walking pace (61–80 BPM) Andante – at a walking pace (61–80 BPM) Moderato – moderately (81–90 BPM) Moderato – moderately (81–90 BPM) Allegro – fast, quickly and bright (105–132 BPM) Allegro – fast, quickly and bright (105–132 BPM) Presto – very fast (168–177 BPM) Presto – very fast (168–177 BPM)

Changes In Tempo & Articulation Accelerando – speeding up (abbreviation: accel.) Accelerando – speeding up (abbreviation: accel.) Rallentando – gradual slowing down (abbreviation: rall.) or broadening of tempo Rallentando – gradual slowing down (abbreviation: rall.) or broadening of tempo Ritardando – slowing down gradually; (abbreviations: rit., ritard.) Ritardando – slowing down gradually; (abbreviations: rit., ritard.) Rubato – free adjustment of tempo for expressive purposes Rubato – free adjustment of tempo for expressive purposes a tempo – in time; return to the main tempo of the piece (often after an accelerando or ritardando, etc.) a tempo – in time; return to the main tempo of the piece (often after an accelerando or ritardando, etc.) Staccato (Italian for detached) signifies a note of shortened duration, separated from the note that may follow by silence. Staccato (Italian for detached) signifies a note of shortened duration, separated from the note that may follow by silence. Legato (Italian for "tied together") indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly and connected Legato (Italian for "tied together") indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly and connected Slur - a curved line used to indicate that notes should be interpretted as a phrase and often in one breath. Slur - a curved line used to indicate that notes should be interpretted as a phrase and often in one breath.