July 5th Flashcards
What is a Half Step?
A half step is the distance from one piano key to the next closest (whether it happens to be white or black).
What are the only Natural Half Steps?
E to F and B to C are the only natural half steps because they use letter names without accidentals.
What are Enharmonic Notes?
Enharmonic notes are different names for the same piano key. For example, the black key called C sharp is one half step above C, but also one half step below D
What does a double flat do?
A double flat lowers a flat note by another half step, keeping the same letter name. Double flats are thus two half steps lower than the white key
What is a double sharp?
A double sharp (looks like an x) raises a sharp note by another half step, keeping the same letter name. Double sharps are two half steps higher than the white key (natural) note.
What is a whole step?
Two half steps. For instance, for C up to D, the two half
steps are C to C# and C# to D.
What is a scale?
A series of notes from low to high (or high to low) following some pattern of whole steps and half steps.
What does a chromatic scale do?
Lists all the notes (white and black keys) in order, usually from C to the next C above or below.
Chromatic scales use only half steps.
Ascending chromatic scales use sharps for black piano keys. Descending chromatic scales use flats for black piano keys.
How much does a flat lower a note?
By a half step
How much does a sharp increase a note?
By a half step
How do you identify major scales?
1) Write the two acronyms
2) Write a line to the right of C
3) number starting from the letter to the right of C
4) Write in accidentals remembering only 2 will be sharp
5) The numbers indicate how many sharps or flats and the letters indicate
How do you identify minor scales?
1) Starting with the major key signature start on the note and go three semi tones down
2) The note that you land on will be the beginning of the natural major scale
How do you identify minor harmonic scales?
1) Starting with the major key signature start on the note and go three semi tones down
2) The note that you land on will be the beginning of the natural major scale
3) Raise the 7th note by one semitone
How do you identify melodic harmonic scales?
1) Starting with the major key signature start on the note and go three semi tones down
2) The note that you land on will be the beginning of the natural major scale
3) Raise the 6th and 7th notes by one semitone
