Musical Notes and Values

Grand Staff ()
The treble clef () represents notes that are higher in sound. The bass clef () [looks like an ear] represents notes that are lower in sound. There are 5 LINES on either the treble or bass clef staff. There are 4 SPACES in either the treble or bass clef staff. Together the treble clef and the bass clef staffs are called the grand staff.
When the notes go above or below the staff, we use ledger lines () to write the notes above or below the staff.

Rule: Treble Clef space is F-A-C-E. Bass Clef space is A-C-E-G (All Cow Eat Grass)

Natural Notes Names

The white notes on a piano is also called the natural note. All natural note is represented by a letter (from A-G). The letters are repeated as we move up or down the keyboard. The distance between a letter and the next re-occuring is called an octave (). The sound frequency is double per octave.

Sharp and Flat Notes Names

Black notes on a piano dont have their own names, they are referenced using the natural notes (white notes) sitting beside. As a result, each black note has 2 references since each black note sits between two natural notes. When naming a black note that is on the right hand side of a natural note, it is called a sharp (#) () When naming a black note that is on the left hand side of a natural note, it is called a flat (b) ()

Enharmonic equivalents () ) are notes that sound the same but are written with different letternames. For example, the F# and Gb are identical. Here are some special ones you should know about:

Here are the rest of the enharmonic equivalents. Not including double flat or double sharp.

Music Interval ()
Definition: Interval Distance from one note to another. Semitone () The smallest interval in the Western music. One semitone is the distance from one key to the next (either natural or black) Tone or whole tone () Two semitones side by side forms a whole tone.

Major Scale ()
Structure: The major scale, named after its first note, is built in steps using whole tones and semitone as follows:Tone Tone Semitone - Tone Tone Tone - Semitone The simplest major scale to write is the C major, the only major scale not to require any sharp or flat.

o o o o o o o

Between notes C-D is a whole tone. Between notes D-E is a whole tone. Between notes E-F is a semitone. Between notes F-G is a whole tone. Between notes G-A is a whole tone. Between notes A-B is a whole tone. Between notes B-C is a semitone.

Scale Degrees: The ascending notes of the scale can be numbered 1-8 and each has its technical name as well. For C-Major

- The 1st degree of a scale is called the tonic () and it is the tonal center of a scale, also the final resolution of a scale. - The 2nd degree is called supertonic () and it is one step above the tonic. - The 3rd degree is called the mediant () and is halfway between the first degree and the fifth degree - The 4th degree is called subdominant (). Also referred as the lower dominant (5th tone down from the higher tonic). - The 5th degree is called the dominant () because it is the second next important tone after the tonic. - The 6th degree is called the submediant ()and is halfway between the tonic and lower dominant - The 7th degree is called the leading tone ()or subtonic and is use only to designate the 7th degree of a natural minor scale. - The 8 (or 1 ) degree of a scale is back to tonic () and it is the tonal center of a scale.
th st

Key signature ()
In musical notation, a key signature is a set of sharp or flat symbols placed together on the staff. Key signatures are generally written immediately after the clef at the beginning of a line of musical notation, although they can appear in other parts of a score, notably after a double bar line.

B major scale (with 5 sharps) no key signature and accidentals spread out the whole piece

The same B major scale with key signature and no accidentals are required.

Key signature () with Flat ()

Rule: Last flat () on the key signature () always sings as fa. Here is the summary of major key () in flat. Both treble () and bass clefs () are shown.

Key (where do starts)

Number Where are the Flat notes?** Of #? 0 C Major (C ) Fat 1 Bb F Major (F ) 2 Bb, Eb B flat Major ( B ) Boy 3 Bb, Eb, Ab E flat Major ( E ) Eat 4 Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, A flat Major ( A ) All 5 Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb D flat Major ( D ) Day 6 Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb G flat Major ( G ) 7 Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb C flat Major ( C ) **Easy to remember location: Battle End And Down Go Charlie Father

One way to remember*

* Another easier way to identify major with flat: The name of the major key = Notes of the seconds last flat

Key signature () with Sharp ()

Rule: Last sharp () on the key signature () always sings as Ti. Here is the summary of major key () in sharp. Both treble () and bass clefs () are shown.

. Key (where do starts) Number Where are the Sharp notes?** of #? 0 C Major (C ) Go 1 F# G Major (F ) Down 2 F#, C# D Major (D ) And 3 F#, C#, G# A Major (A ) Eat 4 F#, C#, G#, D# E Major (E ) Break 5 F#, C#, G#, D#, A# B Major (B ) 6 F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# F flat Major ( F ) Fast 7 F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B# C flat Major ( C ) **Easy to remember location: Father Charlie Go Down And End Battle One way to remember*
* Another easier way to identify major with sharp: The name of the major key = key one step above last sharp

Solfege () with Sharp and Flat

The vowels are pronounced as follows suffix: a = short o sound (ah) e = long a sound (ay) i = long e sound (ee)

The added consonant s means one half step sharper and added f means one half step flatter.

Accidentals ()
An Accidental is a sign placed in front of a note that will alters its pitch. Here is a list of common accidental symbols

A sharp A flat A natural

raises a note by one semitone. lowers a note by one semitone. cancels the previous sharp or flat and returns to its original pitch. raises a natural note by two semitones. raises a sharp by one semitone. lowers a natural note by two semitones. lowers a flat note by one semitone.

A double sharp A double sharp A double flat A double flat

Accidentals in Actions

Rule: An accidental remains in effect for the remainder of the measure.

Rule: An accidental applies to a single octave only.

Rule: Time signature applies to all.