Theory Exam Flashcards by Anna Dunn

UNIT 1: C Clef

Middle line indicates Middle C
(Also known as moveable C clef)

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Baritone, Tenor, Alto, Mezzo-Soprano & Soprano C clef placements

Baritone: middle C-top line
Tenor: 4th line
Alto: middle line
Mezzo-Soprano: 2nd line
Soprano: 1st line

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Tenor Clef Allowance

In sharp key signature, F# and G# are low

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Transposing Instruments:

Clarinet in B Flat: per 2 below concert pitch (concert key: C, Clarinet in B Flat: D)
French Horn: per 5 below concert pitch (concert key: D, French Horn: G)

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Vocal Short Score & Modern Vocal Score

Vocal Short Score: treble for soprano and alto, bass for tenor and bass. Fermatas are used upside down for bass clef.
Modern Vocal Score (Open Score): every voice has a staff. Fermatas always upright.
* an 8 below the clef symbol indicates that the part is sung 1 octave LOWER than written.

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UNIT 2: 5/8 Time

2 beats: 1 dotted, 1 undotted
Can be 3 + 2 or 2+3 grouping

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Top Number 7 & 8 Time Signature

1 dotted, 2 undotted
3+2+2
2 dotted, 1 undotted
3+3+2

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Top Number is 9, 10 & 11

9: 1 dotted, 3 undotted

10: 2 dotted, 2 undotted
11: 3 dotted, 1 undotted

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Ionian

WWHWWWH
Elated

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Dorian

WHWWWHW
Watered down minor

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Phrygian

HWWWHWW
Aladdin

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Lydian

WWWHWWH
Sci-fi

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Mixolydian

WWHWWHW
Rock Music

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Aeolian

WHWWHWW
Minor scale

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Locrian

HWWHWWW
Dim triad, punish ears

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UNIT 4: Naming A Compound Interval

Either maj 10 or C maj 3

Inverting

Remember…
Maj = min
Dim = Aug
Per = Per

UNIT 5: Major Scale Functional Chord Symbols for I - I

I ii iii IV V vi vii0 I

Minor Harmonic Scale Functional Chord Symbols

i ii0 III+ iv V VI vii0 i

Minor Melodic Scale Functional Chord Symbols

i ii0 III iv v VI VII i

Root quality, cord symbols, indicating inversions

Cord name with slash then base note

When writing in choral style

It’s best to double the root

Vocal Ranges

Soprano- C to G
Alto - G to C
Tenor- C to G
Bass - E to C

UNIT 6: 3 Options for writing a contrasting period

(1) retain original rhythm with altered melodic intervals and underlying harmony
(2) retain original rhythm with new melodic shape & direction
(3) contrasting rhythm, new motive repeated sequentially.
[(4)] contrasting rhythm, new motive repeated sequentially.

Tips for Creating Contrasting Material

(1) Imply or outline logical harmonic progressions (2)maintain a harmonic rhythm in the consequent phrase similar to that established in the antecedent phrase (3) approach the final stable pitch with stepwise motion

Steps in writing a contrasting Period

1- name key, and indicate implied harmony 2- create a harmonic plan for the first and second phrases 3-compose Melody using the harmonic plan

Harmonic rhythm

How frequently the harmony changes in a measure * Harmonic changes occur more often as the cadence approaches

Five types of motion

1 – PARALLEL motion occurs when two lines ascend or descend, the distance of the same interval 2- SIMILAR motion occurs when two lines ascend or descend together, but not the distance at the same interval 3- CONTRARY motion occurs when two lines move in different directions 4- OBLIQUE motion when one line remains same while the other line ascends or descends 5- STATIC motion no motion at all

Quartal, poly and Cluster Chords

Quartal- based on 4ths Poly- 2 different chords played at the same time Cluster- combination of three or more adjacent pitches

Degrees & Their Corresponding Chords

1- I, IV 2- V 3- I 4- IV 5- I, V 6- IV 7- V

Ordo Virtutum

Composer: Hildegard von Bingen Period: medieval Type of Piece: Monophonic Plainchant Instrumentation: 17 female voices, 1 male voice, improv instruments Associated Style Traits: Latin, morality play, modal melody

Sumer Is Icumen In (Reading Rota)

Composer: Anonymous Period: 13th century Genre: English round/rotal canon Performing Forces: 6 voices Associated Style Traits: Polyphonic texture, ostinato

El Grillo

Composer: Josquin de Prez Period: Renaissance Genre: Frottola Performing Forces: 4 male voices Associated Style Traits: Homophonic texture, word painting, a cappella

Gamelan, Metallophones, Raga, Tala and Sitar

Gamelan: Indonesian instrumental ensemble music (3-25 players) Metallophones: instruments with tuned metal bars struck with mallets (6-14 pitches) Raga: Like a western scale, over 100 Tala: a metric cycle or regularly repeating rhythmic phrase that can include 3-100+ rhythmic units Sitar: five strings are used to play melodies while two strings are used for drone and percussive effects