Ch.2 - Major Scales and Sharp Keys Flashcards
What does it mean for music to be tonal?
Melodies and Harmonies tend to be centered around a single pitch called a “Tonic.”
What is a scale in the most basic sense?
A group of pitches organized above a tonic in a specific pattern.
What is the formula for the Major Scale?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Ugtvi30kw81dTPWyaf-BfFE576f5fFT/view?usp=sharing
Which sharps are in the key of G?
1 Sharp = F#
Which sharps are in the key of D?
2 Sharps = F# ; C#
Which sharps are in the key of A?
3 Sharps = F# ; C# ; G#
Which sharps are in the key of E?
4 Sharps = F# ; C# ; G# ; D#
Which sharps are in the key of B?
5 Sharps = F# ; C# ; G# ; D# ; A#
Which sharps are in the key of F#?
6 Sharps = F# ; C# ; G# ; D# ; A# ; E#
Which sharps are in the key of C#?
7 sharps = F# ; C# ; G# ; D# ; A# ; E# ; B#
What is the pneumonic for quickly identifying key signatures and their number and order of sharps?
Repeat it forwards and backwards.
B E A D - G C F
&
F C G - D A E B
Describe the procedure for using the BEAD-GCF to name the number and order of sharps in a key signature.
To name the signature of a sharp key:
- Identify the note one step below the target key.
- Count from left to right through BEAD-GFC until you reach that note. You now know how many sharps there are and their names.
Ex:
What is the signature of E major?
(What is one note below E? - It is D).
(Count from left to right thru BEAD-GCF until we reach D).
(E major contains 4 sharps because D is the 4th letter).
(The names of the sharps are found by counting backward through BEAD-GCF).
= E Major contains 4 sharps: F#,C#,G#,D#
What is the trick for quickly identifying what key you are in by looking at the key signature?
When looking at a sharp key signature on the staff, find the last sharp to the right, the note a half step above it is the name of the key.
So if the last sharp in the key signature on the staff is an A# - then we know we are playing in the key of B Major.
