Thursday, March 15, 2012

Circle of fifths

The key signature of C is at the 12 o'clock position on the circle of fifths.

The order of the major sharp key signatures on the circle of fifths (right side) can be remembered by "Goes Down And Ends Battle Father Charles" (G, D, A, E, B, F#, C#).

The order of the major flat key signatures on the circle of fifths (left side) can be remembered by "Father's Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles" (F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb).
To the right of C on the circle of fifths, the key signatures with sharps, in order from 1 to 7 are G, D, A, E, B, F#, and C#. Example: The key of D major has two sharps (2#).
To the left of C on the circle of fifths, the key signatures with flats, in order from 1 to 7 are F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, and Cb. Example: The key of B flat major has two flats (2b).
The relative minor key for each major key is shown inside the circle. The relative minor key of a major key is 2 letters down from the major key (exactly 3 semitones down). The relative major key of a minor key is just 2 letters up from the minor key (exactly 3 semitones up). Examples: The relative minor key of C major is A minor. The relative minor key of C flat major is A flat minor. The relative minor key of C sharp major is A sharp minor.

Key signatures - facts 18

1) The relative minor key of a major key is three semitones lower.

2) The relative major key of a minor key is three semitones higher.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Scale degrees

In the C major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C) the tonic is C, subtonic is D, mediant is E, subdominant is F, dominant is G, submediant is A, leading tone is B, and the tonic is C.

In the C minor scale (C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C) the tonic is C, subtonic is D, mediant is Eb, subdominant is F, dominant is G, submediant is Ab, subtonic is Bb, and the tonic is C.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

A sharp diminished chord

The A sharp diminished chord is

A#, C#, E

This chord is enharmonically equivalent to B flat diminished.

G sharp diminished chord

The G sharp diminished chord is

G#, B, D

This chord is enharmonically equivalent to A flat diminished.

D sharp diminished chord

The D sharp diminished chord is

D#, F#, A

This chord is enharmonically equivalent to E flat diminished.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Chords - facts 8

1) Dominant seventh chords have (4, 3, and 3) semitones betwen notes. For example, the C dominant seventh chords (C, E, G, Bb) has 4 semitones between C and E, 3 semitones between E and G, and 3 semitones between G and Bb.

2) The E dominant seventh chord has one sharp.

Chords - facts 7

1) Diminished chords have (3 and 3) semitones between notes. For example, the C diminished chord (C, Eb, Gb) has 3 semitones between C and Eb, and 3 semitones between Eb and Gb.

2) Minor seventh chords have (3, 4, and 3) semitones between notes. For example, the F minor seventh chord (F, Ab, C, Eb) has 3 semitones between F and Ab, 4 semitones between Ab and C, and 3 semitones between C and Eb.

Chords - facts 6

1) Major seventh chords have (4, 3, and 4) semitones between notes. For example, the C major seventh chord (C, E, G, B) has 4 semitones between C and E, 3 semitones between E and G, and 4 semitones between G and B.

2) Augmented chords have (4 and 4) semitones between notes. For example, the C augmented chord (C, E, G#) has 4 semitones between C and E, and 4 semitones between E and G#.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

A sharp minor seventh chord

The A sharp minor seventh chord is

A#, C#, E#, G#

This chord is enharmonically equivalent to B flat minor seventh.

G sharp minor seventh chord

The G sharp minor seventh chord is

G#, B, D#, F#

This chord is enharmonically equivalent to A flat minor seventh.

D sharp minor seventh chord

The D sharp minor seventh chord is

D#, F#, A#, C#

This chord is enharmonically equivalent to E flat minor seventh.

A sharp minor

The A sharp minor chord is

A#, C#, E#

This chord is enharmonically equivalent to B flat minor.

G sharp minor chord

The G sharp minor chord is

G#, B, D#

This chord is enharmonically equivalent to A flat minor.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Music terms - trivia 31

1) What does repente mean?

a) suddenly
b) slowly

2) What does tacet mean?

a) faster
b) silent, do not play

Check comments for the answers.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Music terms - trivia 30

1) What does con fuoco mean?

a) to play with fire
b) to play softer

2) What does grandioso mean?

a) loud
b) grandly

Check comments for the answers.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Energico

Energico means energetic.

Deciso

Deciso means decisively.

Quasi

Quasi means partly or almost.

Animato

Animato means animated, lively.

Marziale

Marziale means in the march style.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Giosoco

Giosoco means humourously, playfully.

Sonorous

Sonorous means a deep and full sound.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Semplice

Semplice means simple.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Repente

Repente means suddenly.

Religioso

Religioso means religiously.

Tenerezza

Tenerezza means with tenderness.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Music terms - trivia 29

1) What does pesante mean?

a) heavily
b) softer

2) What does scherzando mean?

a) loud
b) playfully

Check comments for the answers.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Music terms - trivia 28

1) What does espressivo mean?

a) to play quick
b) to play expressively

2) What does spirotoso mean?

a) with spirit, spiritedly
b) much, very

Check comments for the answers.

Music terms - trivia 27

1) What does feroce mean?

a) fierce
b) grandly

2) What does brillante mean?

a) always
b) to play brilliant, bright

Check comments for the answers.