Music Theory created 2012-13 by William Anderson B.A. Music
Music Theory Part 2 The Interval In this section you will learn about how musical intervals or the spaces between notes and how they are used to create musical scales which help make songs. You will need to remember the pattern for the major scale. The Interval The smallest interval in Western music is the step step. If we start on any note and move to the next highest (or lowest) note, this is a half step. It's the same as cutting the bottom of the white notes off and moving up the keyboard. if we cut the white notes on the keyboard - it shows each half step q q q q q q q q Music Theory Part 2 The Interval 2
Sharps and Flats Sharps: Putting a G symbol in front of a note means to raise the note one half step and is called a sharp. For example, starting on the note C, if we move up one half step, we are at C G (or C sharp). Flats: Putting a H symbol in front of a note means to lower the note one half step and is called a flat. For instance, starting on the note D and lowering it one half step, it becomes DH (or D flat). Music Theory Part 2 The Interval 3
Sharps and Flats combined (enharmonic equivalents) Since there is only one note between C and D there is only one C# which is also DH. This also means that E# is the note F and B# is the note C. Also FH is the note E and CH is the note B. (Don't worry, these notes are not used very often!) Some flats are written next to the note as in this example: These are called accidentals. played C D Eb F Music Theory Part 2 The Interval 4
Some sharps are written next to the note as in this example: These are called accidentals. played D E F# G Intervals (continued) Music and therefore songs are composed of notes and rhythms played in ways the composer imagines will sound good. The musical alphabet repeats itself, for example from low A to high A. The notes in between are arranged by intervals. Each interval in Western music is the same and divides the space into 12 intervals. Intervals starting at low A A A# B B# C C# D D# E E# F F# G G# A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 note: B# is the same note as C and E# is the same as F On the keyboard we would play every note starting at A going up to the next A. Music Theory Part 2 The Interval 5
Scales Most music is written using what we call scales. Scales are created by choosing notes that sound good together. The most common scale in music is the major scale. It can be created starting on any key or starting note, following a simple pattern. Key: ½ step = one half step (next closest note) ½ step + ½ step = one whole step (two half steps) The pattern for the major scale is: Whole step, whole step, 1/2 step, whole step, whole step, whole step, 1/2 step Beginning on C Another example, on one string of a guitar or violin. The string in broken into half step intervals marked by lines (or frets). Music Theory Part 2 The Interval 6
Key Signatures While the pattern for all major scales is the same, starting on different notes creates different patterns on a keyboard. For example, in the key of F major, there is no B but instead there is a BH. Each major key has the same pattern but different flats and sharps. If the music added each flat or sharp next to a note (accidental) it would be very difficult, instead we add it to the beginning of the song and it is called a key signature. The key without any sharps or flats is C major. If we count up five notes, (C, D, E, F, G) to G major, we have one sharp. Count again up five notes, (G, A, B, C, D) and we have D major which has two sharps. This pattern of counting up continues. Music Theory Part 2 The Interval 7
Starting from C again but counting up four notes, (C, D, E, F) we have F major which has one flat. Counting up from F four notes, (F, G, A, BH) we have BH major which has two flats. Circle of Fifths A helpful way to remember this counting notes relation is the Circle of Fifths which is a way to look at the key signatures and remember them. Music Theory Part 2 The Interval 8