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Mr. Allen Final Exam
Study Guide
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Definitions of terms associated with music.
Dynamics -students should know terms that are associated with soft and loud volumes.
Pianissimo (very soft), Piano (soft), Mezzo Piano (Medium soft), Mezzo Forte (medium loud),
Forte (loud), Fortissimo (very loud).
Tempo- speed of music. How fast or slow a piece should be played. Andante Slow), Moderato,
(Moderate) Allegro (Fast), Presto (Very Fast)
½ Step - is the smallest written musical interval (minor 2nd), on a piano, notes a ½ Step apart
have no other pitches between them. These are often ‘accidentals’ but there are natural notes
that are a ½ Step apart, (B and C, E and F), it is important to know them.
Flat b – lowers a pitch by a ½ Step
Sharp # - raises a pitch by a ½ Step. (Memorize this!)
Enharmonic Equivalent notes that have the same sound but a different name, such as C# and
Db, F# and Gb etc.
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C is before the two accidentals (black keys), F is before the three accidentals (black keys)
Major Scales. Half steps are always between the 3rd and 4th degree and also 7th and 8th
degree. The pattern to build a major scale is Whole Step, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole,
Whole, Whole, Half Step.
*Please be able to echo major tonal patterns vocally and on your instrument.
Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do
-------------------------------Chromatic Scale – Moving by ½ steps. Please know your chromatic fingers, two octaves
extra credit!
(Diatonic) Scale – ‘Scale’, from Resting Tone to Resting Tone with each pitch being
represented only once (until the next octave).
Major Scales – Be able to explain the process of determining Flat key signatures and Sharp
key signatures. You can find the key in a sharp key by looking at the last sharp sign and going up
a half step. Flat keys can be determined by going back one flat in the key signature and making
that the resting tone, key note or DO.
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In determining Key Signatures (what is in the scale) it is imperative to know the Order of
Flats (Circle of Fourths) shown above. You can remember this by memorizing the word
BEAD and the acronym G.C.F. (Greatest Common Factor). BEAD-G.C.F.; BEADGCF. Sharp
scales go to the right side of the circle of fifths up 5 notes including the starting note. Flat
scales go down 5 notes, including the starting note. Up 5 is the same distance
diatonically as down 4, and vice versa, Up 4 is the same as down 5 diatonic steps.
C Scales (C, C#, Cb) are all in, - C, all naturals, C#, all sharps, Cb, all flats
F is the only flat scale without a flat (b) in the name, it contains Bb
Flat Scales
1. From left to right, take all flats up to and including the Resting Tone and ADD
ONE more. Eg. Ab scale; Bb Eb Ab + Db
2. Don’t forget that F is the exception and includes Bb
Sharp Scales
1. Determine the Leading Tone, from right to left take all sharps until the Leading
Tone.
Playing Portion Mr. Allen
Air Support and Tone Quality
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Be able to talk and write about, as well as demonstrate proper air support.
Know that the diaphragm is the muscle used in drawing air down.
Realize that a deep, full breath will have a lower pitch than a high, shallow breath.
Shoulders should be relaxed and down.
Air should be fast and energized, and tone should be clear with no distortion.
Lip Elasticity and Stamina
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All brass, should be able to play their lip slurs, low-medium and high. Higher grade
students will go to high concert Bb with more advanced slurs.
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Chins should stay level as not to ‘pivot’. Corners should remain firm and syllables should
be evident.
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Realize where mouthpiece placement is on the lips (different for each instrument).
Mouthpiece pressure should be adequate for a stable tone.
Note Reading and Fingering Portion
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Students will be responsible for being able to read notes within their range, tell us which
note it is as well as the fingering. Students will perform a minimum of 3 major scales,
Chromatic Scale, Technic Tuning, 3 Clark Studies (brass players) and a reading etude
from the Rubank Intermediate Method Book. Chord Study (low brass), Country Dance
(upper brass and woodwinds) for 9th graders. 10th and above students will be on a level
based assignment. For those students, a playing selection will be specified in lessons.