Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Flashcards
Where are the dominant and subdominate in relation to the tonic? What are their Roman numeral position?
Dominate is a 5th above the tonic and sub dominate is a 5th below the tonic.
Dominate is V and subdominate is IV.
Where is the mediant and the sub mediant in relation to the tonic? What are their Roman numeral positions?
The mediant is a 3rd above the tonic and the sub mediant is a 3rd below the tonic.
Mediant is III and submediant is VI.
Where is the supertonic and the leading tone (subtonic)? What are their Roman numeral positions?
Supertonic is 2nd above the tonic and the leading tone (subtonic) is a 2nd below the tonic.
Supertonic is II and the leading tone (subtonic) is VII.
The supertonic is always how many steps from the tonic and in what direction?
It’s always a whole step above the tonic.
The leading tone (subtonic) is always how many steps from the tonic and in what direction?
It’s always a half step below the tonic.
On which tone does a relative minor scale start on its major scale?
It starts on the 6th tone of the major scale.
What are the different minor scales? How do you create them?
Natural minor scale: use same tones on the relative minor scale (same key as the relative major scale).
Harmonic minor scale: raise the 7th on the minor scale one half step, ascending and descending.
Melodic minor scale: raise the 6th and the 7th on the minor scale one half step while ascending, and while descending change to the same notes used in the natural minor scale.
How do you create all three minor scales from any major scale of the same name?
Natural minor: lower the 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees 1/2 step, ascending and descending.
Harmonic minor: lower the 3rd and 6th degrees 1/2 step, ascending and descending.
Melodic minor: lower the 3rd degree 1/2 step ascending and lower 3rd, 6th, and 7th degree 1/2 step descending.
How many half steps does it take to make a major 3rd? How many to make a minor 3rd?
Major 3rd = 4 half steps
Minor 3rd = 3 half steps
How many half steps does it take to make a perfect 5th?
Perfect 5th = 7 half steps
How do you make a major triad? How do you make a minor triad?
Major triad: root + major 3rd + perfect 5th
Minor triad: root + minor 3rd + perfect 5th
How do you change a major triad into a minor triad?
You lower the 3rd degree of a major triad by 1/2 step.
