Rest - facts 2

1) A half rest always sits on the third line on the staff.

2) A whole rest always hangs from the fourth line on the staff.

Natural

A natural cancels a previous accidental or modifies a sharp or flat in the key signature.

Double sharp

A double sharp raises a pitch by a whole step.

Double flat

A double flat lowers a pitch by a whole step.

Ledger lines

Ledger lines are the lines that are written above or below the staff to show the pitches for the notes that fall outside the regular staff range.

Chord inversion - facts 4

1) A dominant seventh chord can be formed by using the first, third, fifth, and seventh (flat) notes of a major scale (1 3 5 7b). A first inversion of the chord is (3 5 7b 1). A second inversion is (5 7b 1 3). A third inversion is (7b 1 3 5).

2) The C major chord first inversion is (E G C).

Chord inversion - facts 3

1) A major seventh chord can be formed by using the first, third, fifth, and seventh notes of a major scale (1 3 5 7). A first inversion of the chord is (3 5 7 1). A second inversion is (5 7 1 3). A third inversion is (7 1 3 5).

2) A minor seventh chord can be formed by using the first, third (flat), fifth, and seventh (flat) notes of a major scale (1 3b 5 7b). A first inversion of the chord is (3b 5 7b 1). A second inversion is (5 7b 1 3b). A third inversion is (7b 1 3b 5). You can also form a minor seventh chord by using the first, third, fifth, and seventh notes of a minor scale.

Chord inversion - facts 2

1) An augmented chord can be formed by using the first, third, and fifth (sharp) notes of a major scale (1 3 5#). A first inversion of the chord is (3 5# 1). A second inversion is (5# 1 3).

2) A diminished chord can be formed by using the first, third (flat), and fifth (flat) notes of a major scale (1 3b 5b). A first inversion of the chord is (3b 5b 1). A second inversion is (5b 1 3b). You can also form a diminished chord by using the first, third, and fifth (flat) notes of a minor scale.

Chord inversion - facts 1

1) A major chord can be formed by using the first, third, and fifth notes of a major scale (1 3 5). A first inversion of the chord is (3 5 1). A second inversion is (5 1 3).

2) A minor chord can be formed by using the first, third (flat), and fifth notes of a major scale (1 3b 5). A first inversion of the chord is (3b 5 1). A second inversion is (5 1 3b). You can also form a minor chord by using the first, third, and fifth notes of a minor scale.

Notes - facts 16

1) Three triplet half notes have the same value as a whole note.

2) Three triplet quarter notes have the same value as a half note.

Circle of fifths - trivia 1

1) Which side are the sharps listed on the circle of fifths?

a) right
b) left

2) What is the maximum amount of sharps or flats for the major key signatures?

a) 6
b) 7

Check comments for the answers.

Turn

A turn is a musical ornament. A turn is an "S" shape symbol lying on its side above the staff. An inverted turn is the same, but also has a vertical line through the middle or the sign itself is turned upside down. If the turn is the note C, you would play a rapid alternation of (D,C,B,C). For an inverted turn C, you would play (B,C,D,C). When the turn is to the right of the note you would play (C,D,C,B,C). Always follow the key signatures for the upper and lower notes.

Mordent

A mordent is a musical ornament. An upper mordent is a short squiggle above the note. A lower mordent is the same, but also has a vertical line through the middle. If the upper mordent is the note C, you would play a rapid alternation of (C,D,C). For a lower mordent C, you would play (C,B,C). Always follow the key signatures for the upper and lower notes.

Trill

A trill is a musical ornament. A trill has a "tr" or a long squiggle above the note. The exact way to play trills varies depending on the piece and performer. If the trill is the note C, you can play an alternation of (C,D,C,D,C...) or (D,C,D,C,D,C...). How many times depends on the tempo of the piece. Always follow the key signatures for the upper and lower notes.

Key signatures - facts 17

1) Relative keys have the same key signatures. The A minor key signature is the relative key of C major. E minor is the relative key of G major. All 15 major key signatures have a relative minor key.

2) Relative keys share a different tonic. The tonic of the relative minor is the sixth scale degree of the major scale. A minor is the sixth degree of the C major scale. E minor is the sixth degree of the G major scale.

Circle of fifths - facts 2

1) 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#).

2) 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).

Reading intervals - facts 4

1) A 7th is a space to three spaces, or line to three lines.

2) An 8th is a space to four lines, or line to four spaces.

Reading intervals - facts 3

1) A 5th is a space to two spaces, or line to two lines.

2) A 6th is a space to three lines, or line to three spaces.

Reading intervals - facts 2

1) A 3rd is a space to next space, or line to next line.

2) A 4th is a space to two lines, or line to two spaces.

Reading intervals - facts 1

1) Reading music by intervals is a way of reading the notes faster.

2) A 2nd is a space to next line, or line to next space.

Tie

A tie connects two or more notes of the same pitch. Tied notes have a curved line above or under them. They are played as one note with the sum of the notes combined. Ties are different from slurs in that ties join notes of the same pitch. Slurs join notes of varying pitches.

Legato

Legato means to play the notes smoothly together. It is the opposite of playing staccato. Legato notes have a curved line above or under them called a slur.

Staccato

Staccato means to play the notes with a distinct separate sound. Staccato notes have a dot above or under them. It is the opposite of legato.

Polyrhythms

A polyrhythm is two or more independent rhythms that are played at the same time.

Metronome

A metronome is a device that makes regular ticks (beats). It can help you keep a steady beat and play scales more evenly.

Pianos - facts 3

1) The damper pedal (sustain pedal) is the right most pedal on a piano.

2) The soft pedal is the left most pedal on a piano.

Pick-up notes

Pick-up notes are notes that appear before the first full measure.

Downbeat

The downbeat is the first beat of a measure.

Music terms - trivia 6

1) What does ritardando mean?

a) a gradual increase in tempo
b) a gradual decrease in tempo

2) What is the highest female voice?

a) soprano
b) countertenor

Check comments for the answers.