Pitch Reading, Terminology Flashcards
Which pitch range on the cello does the bass clef cover?
Bass Clef
The bass clef covers the notes in the lowest pitch range of the cello.
“Good Boys Do Fine Always” is the limerick for the lines or the spaces on the bass clef staff?
Lines
Good Boys Do Fine Always
Lines from the bottom up: G - B - D - F - A
What do you call these symbols when they are used in contradiction to the key signature of a piece?
Once written, how long do they last?
Accidentals
Accidentals are sharps, flats, or naturals that contradict the key signature of a piece.
Once written, accidentals are applied to all of the same notes in a measure, until the next bar line.
What are accidentals?
Once written, how long do accidentals last?
Accidentals
Accidentals are sharps, flats, or naturals that contradict the key signature of a piece.
Once written, accidentals are applied to all of the same notes in a measure, until the next bar line.
What is an Enharmonic Equivalent?
Enharmonic Equivalent
An enharmonic equivalent is two different ways of indicating the same sounding pitch.
Example: Fsharp & Gflat
- The interval between F and G is one whole step or two half steps.
- When F has a sharp next to it, the pitch of F is raised to the half step between F and G.
- When G has a flat next to it, the pitch of G is lowered to the half step between F and G.
- The pitch that is the half step between F and G can be written as either Fsharp or Gflat.
What is the function of a sharp?
Sharp
A sharp indicates that a pitch is one half step higher than a written pitch.
How many half steps are in one whole step?
1 whole step = 2 half steps
What do you call the short lines that are added for notes above or below the range of the staff?
Ledger Lines
What do you call two pitches that are written in two different ways but indicate the same sounding pitch?
Enharmonic Equivalent
Example: Fsharp & Gflat
- The interval between F and G is one whole step or two half steps.
- When F has a sharp next to it, the pitch of F is raised to the half step between F and G.
- When G has a flat next to it, the pitch of G is lowered to the half step between F and G.
- The pitch that is the half step between F and G can be written as either Fsharp or Gflat.
What do you call the sharps and flats found at the beginning of each line of a piece, and what are the two functions of these sharps and flats?
Key Signature
The key signature has two functions:
- The key signature changes the notes throughout each line.
- The number of sharps or flats designates the key of the piece.
“All Cows Eat Grass” is the limerick for the lines or the spaces on the bass clef staff?
Spaces
All Cows Eat Grass
Spaces from the bottom up: A - C - E - G
What is the limrick for remembering the spaces on the bass clef staff from the bottom up?
All Cows Eat Grass
Spaces from the bottom up: A - C - E - G
What do you call this symbol and what is its function?
Flat
A flat indicates that a pitch is one half step lower than the written pitch.
What is the limrick for remembering the lines on the bass clef staff from the bottom up?
Good Boys Do Fine Always
Lines from the bottom up: G - B - D - F - A
Two half steps equal how many whole steps?
2 half steps = 1 whole step
What do you call the 5 lines and 4 spaces on which music is written?
Staff
The staff consists of five lines and four spaces. Each of those lines and each of those spaces represents a different letter, which in turn represents a note. Those lines and spaces represent notes named A-G, and the note sequence moves alphabetically up the staff.
What is the function of a flat?
Flat
A flat indicates that a pitch is one half step lower than the written pitch.
What is the function of bar lines?
Bar Lines
Bar lines designate the limits of each measure.
Where can you find the key signature of a piece, and what are the key signature’s two functions?
Key Signature
The key signature is the sharps or flats found at the beginning of each line of a piece.
The key signature has two functions:
- The key signature changes the notes throughout each line.
- The number of sharps or flats designates the key of the piece.
What do you call this symbol and what is its function?
Natural
A natural cancels any sharps or flats.
Which pitch range on the cello does the treble clef cover?
Treble Clef
The treble clef covers the notes in the highest pitch range of the cello.
On which pitch does the third octave begin?
On which line or space on the bass clef staff is this pitch located?
C3
C3 is located on the second space from the bottom of the staff.
These two pairs of pitches are separated by what interval?
B ←→ C
E ←→ F
All other natural pitches are separated by what interval?
These two pairs of pitches are only separated by an interval of a half step:
B ←→ C
E ←→ F
All other natural pitches are separated by the interval of a whole step which contains two half steps.
What is the function of a natural?
Natural
A natural cancels any sharps or flats.
On which pitch does the fourth octave begin?
On which line or space on the bass clef staff is this pitch located?
C4
C4 is located one ledger line above the bass clef staff.
What is the name of this clef, and which pitch range on the cello does it cover?
Bass Clef
The bass clef covers the notes in the lowest pitch range on the cello.
What do you call this symbol and what is its function?
Sharp
A sharp indicates that a pitch is one half step higher than the written pitch.
What do ledger lines look like and for what are they used?
Ledger Lines
Ledger lines are short lines that are added for the notes above or below the range of the staff.
Which pitch range on the cello does the tenor clef cover?
Tenor Clef
The tenor clef covers the notes in the middle pitch range of the cello.
What do you call the line that designates the limit of each measure?
Bar Line
What does the staff look like and for what is it used?
Staff
The staff consists of five lines and four spaces. Each of those lines and each of those spaces represents a different letter, which in turn represents a pitch. Those lines and spaces represent pitches named A-G, and the pitch sequence moves alphabetically up the staff repeating starting with A after reaching G for each octave.
What are the two pairs of natural pitches that are separated by only the interval of one half step?
What interval separates the other pitches?
These two pairs of pitches are only separated by an interval of a half step:
B ←→ C
E ←→ F
All other natural pitches are separated by the interval of a whole step which contains two half steps.
What is the lowest pitch/octave on the cello?
On which line or space on the bass clef staff is this pitch located?
C2
C2 is two ledger lines below the bass clef staff.
What is the name of this clef, and which pitch range on the cello does it cover?
Treble Clef
The treble clef covers the notes in the highest pitch range of the cello.
What do you call the space between two bar lines?
Measure
The space between two bar lines is called a measure.
