4 - Semitones, Whole tones & Accidentals Flashcards
Use this deck to learn how to identify a semitone (half step), whole tone (whole step), and accidentals (flat, sharp, and natural). Audio is included to supplement your learning. Master Your Musicianship Skills - Complete Lesson 4 of the matching Ultimate Music Theory Prep 2 Workbook to enhance your music theory training. UltimateMusicTheory.com
Explain the term semitone or half step.
A semitone or half step is the shortest distance between two neighbouring keys on the keyboard, black or white (no key in between).
Identify the distance between the two keys on the keyboard.
semitone or half step
Explain the term whole tone or whole step.
A whole tone or whole step is equal to TWO semitones - the distance from one key to another (black or white), with one key in between.
Identify the distance between the two keys on the keyboard.
whole tone or whole step
Name the accidental sign that raises the pitch
of a note one semitone or half step.
Sharp
Name the accidental sign that lowers the pitch
of a note one semitone or half step.
Flat
Name the accidental sign that indicates to play the natural pitch of a note.
Natural Sign
Identify the two names (sharp and flat) of the black key.
C sharp or D flat
Identify the two names (sharp and flat) of the black key.
G sharp or A flat
Identify the two names (sharp and flat) of the black key.
D sharp or E flat
Identify the two names (sharp and flat) of the black key.
F sharp or G flat
Identify the two names (sharp and flat) of the black key.
A sharp or B flat
Explain the musical term sharp.
A sharp is an accidental sign that raises the pitch
of a note one semitone or half step.
True or False. A sharp sign is written before the note.
TRUE
True or False. A sharp sign is written after the letter name.
TRUE
True or False. When written in front of a space note, the middle of the sharp sign is placed in the same space as the space note.
TRUE
True or False. When written in front of a line note, the middle of the sharp sign is placed on the same line as the line note.
TRUE
Is the placement of the sharp Correct or Incorrect?
Correct
Is the placement of the sharp Correct or Incorrect?
Incorrect. When a note is written on a line, the middle of the sharp is written on the same line. The Correct placement is
Is the placement of the sharp on the name of the note Correct or Incorrect?
Incorrect. The sharp is written after the letter name. The Correct placement of the sharp on the name of the note is
Is the placement of the sharp on the name of the note Correct or Incorrect?
Correct
Name the note.
Middle C sharp
Name the note.
D sharp
Name the note.
F sharp
Name the note.
B sharp
Name the note.
F sharp
Name the note.
A sharp
Name the note.
E sharp
Name the note.
D sharp
Explain the musical term flat.
A flat is an accidental sign that lowers the pitch
of a note one semitone or half step.
True or False. A flat sign is written before the note.
TRUE
True or False. A flat sign is written after the letter name.
TRUE
True or False. When written in front of a space note, the “half a heart” of the flat sign is placed in the same space as the space note.
TRUE
True or False. When written in front of a line note, the “half a heart” of the flat sign is placed on the same line as the line note.
TRUE
Is the placement of the flat Correct or Incorrect?
Correct
Is the placement of the flat Correct or Incorrect?
Incorrect. When written in front of a line note, the “half a heart” of the flat sign is placed on the same line as the line note. The Correct placement is
Is the placement of the flat on the name of the note Correct or Incorrect?
Correct
Is the placement of the flat on the name of the note Correct or Incorrect?
Incorrect. The flat is written after the letter name. The Correct placement of the flat on the name of the note is
Name the note.
Middle C flat
Name the note.
A flat
Name the note.
E flat
Name the note.
F flat
Name the note.
F flat
Name the note.
B flat
Name the note.
A flat
Name the note.
G flat
Explain the musical term natural sign.
A natural sign is an accidental that indicates to play the natural pitch of a note.
True or False. A natural sign is written before the note.
TRUE
True or False. A natural sign is written after the letter name.
TRUE
True or False. When written in front of a space note, the middle of the natural sign is placed in the same space as the space note.
TRUE
True or False. When written in front of a line note, the middle of the natural sign is placed on the same line as the line note.
TRUE
Is the placement of the natural Correct or Incorrect?
Incorrect. The middle of the natural sign is placed in the same space as the space note. The Correct placement is
Is the placement of the natural Correct or Incorrect?
Correct
Is the placement of the natural on the name of the note Correct or Incorrect?
Correct
Is the placement of the natural on the name of the note Correct or Incorrect?
Incorrect. The natural is written after the letter name. The Correct placement of the natural on the name of the note is
Name the note.
E natural
Name the note.
C natural
Name the note.
G natural
Name the note.
D natural
Name the note.
C natural
Name the note.
G natural
Name the note.
G natural
Name the note.
B natural
True or False. When an accidental appears on a line or in a space, it applies to any note that is written on that line or in that space.
TRUE
True or False. An accidental can be cancelled by another accidental.
TRUE
True or False. When a natural is used to cancel an accidental, the natural is only written once (on the first note that is cancelled).
TRUE
Name the notes.
D, E flat
Name the notes.
F sharp, F natural
Name the notes.
F, E flat
Name the notes.
A flat, G sharp
Name the notes.
B, B flat
Name the notes.
A, B flat
Name the notes.
F flat, G flat
Name the notes.
A flat, A natural
Name the notes.
C, C sharp
Name the notes.
E, E sharp
Name the distance as a semitone (half step) or a whole tone (whole step).
D, E flat - semitone (half step)
Name the distance as a semitone (half step) or a whole tone (whole step).
A, B flat - semitone (half step)
Name the distance as a semitone (half step) or a whole tone (whole step).
B, B flat - semitone (half step)
Name the distance as a semitone (half step) or a whole tone (whole step).
F sharp, F natural - semitone (half step)
Name the distance as a semitone (half step) or a whole tone (whole step).
F, E flat - whole tone (whole step)
Name the distance as a semitone (half step) or a whole tone (whole step).
F flat, G flat - whole tone (whole step)
True or False. A bar line does not cancel an accidental.
False. An accidental is cancelled by a bar line.
Name the following notes.
The note names are
Name the following notes.
The note names are
Name the following notes.
The note names are
Name the following notes.
The note names are
Name the following notes.
The note names are
Name the following notes.
The note names are
Name the following notes.
The note names are
Name the term for the same pitch on the keyboard using two different letter names.
enharmonic equivalents (Example: B flat or A sharp, B or C flat)
Explain an enharmonic equivalent on the keyboard.
An enharmonic equivalent on the keyboard is the same pitch with two different letter names. (Example: B flat or A sharp, B or C flat)
Explain an enharmonic equivalent written on the staff.
An enharmonic equivalent written on the staff is the same pitch with two different letter names. (Example: C sharp - D flat)
Name the notes of the enharmonic equivalent.
A flat - G sharp
Name the notes of the enharmonic equivalent.
F sharp - G flat
Name the notes of the enharmonic equivalent.
C sharp - D flat
Name the notes of the enharmonic equivalent.
D sharp - E flat
Name the notes of the enharmonic equivalent.
C - B sharp
Name the notes of the enharmonic equivalent.
G flat - F sharp
Name the notes of the enharmonic equivalent.
B - C flat
Name the notes of the enharmonic equivalent.
E flat - D sharp
Name the notes of the enharmonic equivalent.
A sharp - B flat
Is the distance a semitone (half step), whole tone (whole step) or an enharmonic equivalent?
enharmonic equivalent
Is the distance a semitone (half step), whole tone (whole step) or an enharmonic equivalent?
whole tone (whole step)
Is the distance a semitone (half step), whole tone (whole step) or an enharmonic equivalent?
semitone (half step)
Is the distance a semitone (half step), whole tone (whole step) or an enharmonic equivalent?
enharmonic equivalent
Is the distance a semitone (half step), whole tone (whole step) or an enharmonic equivalent?
whole tone (whole step)
Is the distance a semitone (half step), whole tone (whole step) or an enharmonic equivalent?
semitone (half step)
