Download Pitch Pitch: A tone sounding in a particular octave (scientifically

1. Pitch
Pitch: A tone sounding in a particular octave (scientifically refers to the specific sound
wave frequencies that occur to create that sound)
Pitches are named with the first seven letters in the alphabet- A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Forward in the alphabet=moving upward in pitch; backward in the alphabet=moving
downward in pitch
Skipping in pitch (A-C, for example) is counting in Thirds
2. Pitch Class
Notes that have the same letter name but sound slightly different (higher or lower) are
an Octave apart.
Notes a perfect octave apart are in the same Pitch Class.
3. The Piano Keyboard
The keyboard is divided by sets of two and three black keys. The white key immediate to
the left of the set of two black keys is pitch class C.
Review Packet pg 15
You can count from C (forward to the right, backward to the left) in the alphabet, giving
each white key the next letter name.
Review Packet pg 14
Black keys stand for the “flats and sharps” of the keyboard. A black key immediately to
the right of a white key takes the white key’s letter name and adds a sharp (#). A black
key immediately to the left of a white key takes the white key’s letter name and adds a
flat (b). Black keys simultaneously have a flat name and a sharp name. These are called
Enharmonic notes. The symbols # and b are called accidentals. A third accidental, called
a natural ( ), is used to return a sharped or flatted note to its natural (white key) state.
Not all enharmonic notes occur on black keys. We can raise B to the nearest key and call
it B#. However, when we look at the keyboard, we see that B raised to the nearest key is
actually C. B# and C are enharmonic notes. Cb and B are enharmonic notes, as well as E#
and F and Fb and E.
4. Whole Steps and Half Steps
Interval: distance between any two notes; Intervals come down to half steps and whole
steps
Half Step: Interval between a note and the next closest note on the keyboard
Usually between a white key and a black key, with the exceptions of B-C and E-F
Whole Step: Two half steps
Usually between two black keys or two white keys, with the exceptions of B-C#,
C-Bb, E-F# and F-Eb
Complete TRY IT 3
Complete Review Packet pg 16
Double Flats (bb) and Double Sharps (x) rarely occur in music but are the last two types
of accidentals. They either lower or raise the note two half steps (one whole step).
5. The Staff
Pitches are represented on paper using a Staff. A staff is made up of five lines and four
spaces. Notes that appear higher on the staff sound higher in pitch. Notes that appear
lower on the staff sound lower in pitch.
The letter names of the lines and spaces are determined by the clef. The three clefs we
will use in this class are the Treble Clef, Bass Clef, and C Clef.
Treble Clef
Bottom Line starts on E, Bottom Space starts on F
Lines: E G B D F
Spaces: F A C E
Bass Clef
Bottom Line starts on G, Bottom Space Starts on A
Lines: G B D F A
Spaces: A C E G
C-Clef
The C clef is the only moveable clef. The middle point of the clef, where the two
curves meet, denotes C on the staff.
A helpful way to become fluent in C clef is to practice saying the alphabet in
thirds. (C E G B D).