Download S3 Theory Matters Workbook

Theory
Matters
Strathaven
Academy
Music Department
Name: ……………………………………… Class: ………….
Contents
What you need to know
1. Treble and Bass Clef
2. Accidentals, Tones and Semitones
3. Key Signatures
4. Note Values and Rests
5. Time Signature
6. Intervals
7. Chords and Chord Inversions
8. Names of Chords
9. Dynamics
10. Musical Symbols
11. Tempo and Tempo Changes
12. Articulation
13. Cadences
14. Revision points
15. Example Questions
LIT 3-21a
I can use a range of strategies and resources and spell most of the words I need to use, including specialist
vocabulary, and ensure that my spelling is accurate.
Treble and Bass clef
Music is written on 5 lines and 4 spaces called the stave.
When a treble clef is used:
For the lines use the rhyme Can Every Glasgow Bus Drive Fast?
For the spaces, remember the rhyme.
When a bass clef is used:
For the lines, try the rhyme Green Buses Drive From A Crime
For the spaces, remember Fat Alley Cats Eat Garbage Burgers
Note name Exercises
Name these notes. Write its letter name underneath the note. Watch
out for key signatures!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Accidentals
Accidentals change the pitch (sound) of a note. They can make the
sound higher or lower.
There are three types of accidental:
#
Sharp – raises the pitch of a note by a semitone
♭
Flat – lowers the pitch of a note by a semitone
♮
Natural – cancels sharps or flats
Tones and Semitones
A semitone is the name for the smallest distance between two
notes.
On a keyboard this will be two notes right beside each other. This is
usually a white note to a black note, except in two places, E and F
which are next to each other, and B and C.
The distance between C and C# (or D♭) is a semitone.
The distance between D# (or E♭) and E is a semitone, etc.
A tone is the distance of two semitones added together.
When two notes are a tone apart, there will always be one note in
between.
C and D are a tone apart (there is a black note in between).
G# and A# are a tone apart (there is a white note in between).
Key Signatures
Key signatures are put at the beginning of each line in a piece of
music.
They are used to tell us if we need to play any sharps or flats in a
piece of music.
If a piece of music has no sharps or flats, it is in C
major or A minor
If a piece of music has one sharp, it is in G major
If a piece of music has one flat, it is in F major
Accidentals Exercises
In the following examples place the correct accidental to make the key
signature correct.
1.
2.
3.
Tones & Semitones Exercises
In the following examples describe the distance between each note as
either a Tone (T) or Semitone (S)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Note Values and Rests
How a note looks tells us how many beats to hold it on for.
Each note also has a rest with the same name and value. Rests in
music are periods of silence.
Note name
Note shape
Rest
Value
Semibreve
4 beats
Minim
2 beats
Crotchet
1 beat
Quaver
½ beat
Semiquaver
¼ beat
Notes can also be dotted. A dot adds on half the original value of
the note.
Note name
Note shape
Rest
Value
Dotted quaver
¾ of a beat
Dotted crotchet
1 ½ beats
Dotted Minim
3 beats
Time Signatures
A time signature tells us how many beats are in a bar of music.
Bars are divided up by lines on either side.
Here are 4 time signatures that you need to know:
2/4 – There are 2 crotchet beats in a bar
3/4 – There are 3 crotchet beats in a bar
4/4 – There are 4 crotchet beats in a bar
6/8 – There are 2 dotted crotchet beats in a bar
Intervals
An interval is the distance between two notes.
If we were calculating the distance between C and E:
Count the notes, including the starting note, the notes in between,
and the end note.
Using the example, this would be C, D and E. So, C and E are a 3rd
apart.
Another example…
What is the distance between G and C?
Count G, A, B and C. There are 4 notes named so the distance
between G and C is a 4th.
The easiest way to do this is counting on your fingers, or using a
diagram like the one above.
Interval Exercises
In the following exercises describe the interval between every note.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Chords and Chord Inversions
You need to know about chords called triads.
Triads are made up of three notes – the root (first note), the third
above the root, and the fifth above the root.
Chord of C: Root = C, 3rd above C = E, 5th above C = G.
Therefore, the chord of C is C E G
Here is the chord of C major in:
Root
1st inversion
2nd inversion
Chord of F: Root = F, 3rd above F = A, 5th above F = C.
Therefore, chord of F is F A C
Here is the chord of F major in:
Root
1st inversion
2nd inversion
You also need to know what position a chord is in, as the 3 notes of
the chord do not always have to be in a specific order.
If the notes of the chord are evenly spaced, the chord is in ROOT
position.
If the biggest gap is between the top notes it is in FIRST INVERSION.
If the biggest gap is between the bottom notes it is in SECOND
INVERSION.
Chord Exercises
On the following stave place the given chords into root position. Remember to
draw a treble clef.
F
Am
G
C
Dm
Em
On the following stave place the given chords into1st inversion. Remember to
draw a treble clef. Where should the gap be?
F
Am
G
C
Dm
Em
On the following stave place the given chords into2nd inversion. Remember to
draw a treble clef. Where should the gap be?
F
Am
G
C
Dm
Em
On the following stave place the given chords into root position. Remember to
draw a bass clef.
F
Am
G
C
Dm
Em
On the following stave place the given chords into1st inversion. Remember to
draw a bass clef. Where should the gap be?
F
Am
G
C
Dm
Em
On the following stave place the given chords into2nd inversion. Remember to
draw a bass clef. Where should the gap be?
F
Am
G
C
Dm
Em
Technical names of chords
Chords can be given numbers and names.
Here are three chord numbers which you need to know the name of:
Chord
Chord
Chord
Chord
I (1) is called the Tonic
IV (4) is called the Sub Dominant
V (5) is called the Dominant
VI (6) is called the Sub-Mediant
Remember: In a major key, chords I, IV and V are major, and chord VI
is minor.
Chord Exercises
In the following exercise, describe each chord by its technical name.
First identify the key, then the chord number, then the technical
name. All chords are in root position.
An example is below.
The key is C Major – because there are no sharps
or flats in the key signature.
The Chord is F.
The technical name is the Sub-dominant –
because F is note 4 in the key of C.
Key: …………………….
Chord Name: …………
Technical Name:
…………………………..
Key: …………………….
Chord Name: …………
Technical Name:
…………………………..
Key: …………………….
Chord Name: …………
Technical Name:
…………………………..
Key: …………………….
Chord Name: …………
Technical Name:
…………………………..
Dynamics
Dynamics means the volume of music – if it is loud or quiet.
The words used for dynamics are usually in Italian. Here are some of
the most common dynamics in order from loudest to quietest.
Fortissimo (ff) – Very loud
Forte (f) – Loud
Mezzo Forte (mf) – Quite loud
Mezzo Piano (mp) – Quite quiet
Piano (p) – Quiet
Pianissimo (pp) – Very quiet
There are also words for changes in volume of music.
Crescendo – Music is getting louder
Diminuendo – Music is getting quieter
Musical Symbols
Here are some symbols used on music.
Repeat sign – play the section of music again
Tie – play the first note and hold it on for the length of
both notes
Crescendo – Gradually getting louder
Diminuendo – Gradually getting quieter
Tempo and Tempo Changes
Tempo means the speed of music. The words used for tempo are
usually in Italian. Here are some of the most common words for speed
in order from fastest to slowest.
Presto – fast
Allegro – quickly
Moderato – at a medium speed
Andante – at a walking pace
Lento/Adagio - slow
Here are some words for speed changes.
Accelerando – gradually getting faster
Rallentando – gradually getting slower
Articulation
Articulation means how a note is played. Notes can be played short
and snappy, or long and smooth etc.
Here are some words for articulation:
Legato – smooth
Staccato – short and detached
Glissando – sliding between notes
Pizzicato – plucking strings to make short notes (this can only be done
on string instruments such as violin and cello).
Cadences
A cadence is a set of chords at the end of a phrase.
If the phrase sounds rounded off, the cadence is PERFECT.
If the phrase sounds unfinished it is IMPERFECT.
A PERFECT cadence is made up of chords V (5) to I (1).
An IMPERFECT cadence ends in chord 5, for example, I-V, IV-V etc.
Music Theory Revision
 Note names – Treble and bass clef
 Note values – Shape, number of beats, rest
 Time signatures – Simple time (2/4, 3/4, 4/4)
Compound time (6/8)
 Accidentals – Sharps, flats, and naturals
 Tones and semitones
 Key signatures – C major, F major, G major, and A minor
 Scales – C major, F major, G major, and A minor
 Intervals – Naming intervals (number only)
 Chords – C major, F major, G major, and A minor
(root position, 1st inversion and 2nd inversion)
 Cadences – Perfect and imperfect
 Technical Note Names – Tonic (I), Subdominant (IV) and
Dominant (V)
 Common musical signs – crescendo, decrescendo, tie, repeat
sign, pause, 8va
 Dynamics – pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff, crescendo, decrescendo
 Tempo – Adagio, Lento, Moderato, Allegro, Presto, Andante
accelerando, rallentando
 Other terms – Legato, Staccato, Glissando, Pizzicato
Example Questions 1
Question 1
Name these notes
____________________________________________________________________
Question 2
Name these notes
____________________________________________________________________
Question 3
Look at the following rests. Below each rest write in the number of
beats it is worth.
____________________________________________________________________
Question 4
Look at the music below. Insert the appropriate time signature at the
beginning of each piece.
a)
b)
Question 5
Name the following key signatures:
_____________
___________ or_____________
_____________
Question 6
Name the following intervals. Remember to include both letter names
in the count.
____________________________________________________________________
Question 7
Name the following chords and state whether the chord is in root
position, 1st inversion or 2nd inversion.
Notes in chord (from the bottom note to the top note)
Chord
Chord Position
____________________________________________________________________
Question 8
Give the technical note names for the following chord numbers:
I
___________________
IV
___________________
V
____________________
Question 9
Explain the following terms:
Forte (f) - _________________
Piano (p) - ________________
Mezzo forte (mf) - __________________
Question 10
Explain the following signs:-
Question 11
Explain the following terms:
Rallentando - ______________________________
Lento - ___________________________________
Moderato - _______________________________
Allegro - _________________________________
Question 12
Explain the following terms:
Glissando - _________________________________________
Staccato - __________________________________________
Pizzicato - ______________________________________________
Legato - __________________________________________
Theory Example Questions 2
Question 1
Name these notes
____________________________________________________________________
Question 2
Name these notes
____________________________________________________________________
Question 3
Look at the following rests. Below each rest write in the number of
beats it is worth.
____________________________________________________________________
Question 4
Look at the music below. Insert the appropriate time signature at the
beginning of each piece.
a)
b)
Question 5
Name the following key signatures:
____________or ___________
_______________
_________________
Question 6
Name the following intervals. Remember to include both letter names
in the count.
____________________________________________________________________
Question 7
Name the following chords and state whether the chord is in root
position, 1st inversion or 2nd inversion.
Notes in chord (from the bottom note to the top note)
____________________________________________________________________
Chord
Chord Position
____________________________________________________________________
Question 8
Give the technical note names for the following chord numbers:
I
___________________
IV
___________________
V
____________________
Question 9
Explain the following terms:
Forte (f) - _________________
Mezzo piano (mp) - ________________
Crescendo - __________________
Question 10
Explain the following signs:-
Question 11
Explain the following terms:
Accelerando - ______________________________
Presto - ___________________________________
Allegro - _______________________________
Adagio - _________________________________
Question 12
Explain the following terms:
Legato - _________________________________________
Staccato - __________________________________________
Pizzicato - ______________________________________________
Glissando - __________________________________________
Theory Example Questions 3
Question 1
Name these notes
____________________________________________________________________
Question 2
Name these notes
____________________________________________________________________
Question 3
Look at the following rests. Below each rest write in the number of
beats it is worth.
____________________________________________________________________
Question 4
Look at the music below. Insert the appropriate time signature at the
beginning of each piece.
a)
b)
Question 5
Name the following key signatures:
_____________
___________ or_____________
_____________
Question 6
Name the following intervals. Remember to include both letter names
in the count.
____________________________________________________________________
Question 7
Name the following chords and state whether the chord is in root
position, 1st inversion or 2nd inversion.
Notes in chord (from the bottom note to the top note)
Chord
Chord Position
___________________________________________________________________
Question 8
Give the technical note names for the following chord numbers:
V
___________________
I
___________________
IV
____________________
Question 9
Explain the following terms:
Mezzo forte (mf) - _________________
Pianissimo (pp) - ________________
Decrescendo - __________________
Question 10
Explain the following signs:-
Question 11
Explain the following terms:
Rallentando - ______________________________
Presto - ___________________________________
Adagio - _______________________________
Lento - _________________________________
Question 12
Explain the following terms:
Glissando - _________________________________________
Staccato - __________________________________________
Pizzicato - ______________________________________________
Legato - __________________________________________