Music Theory Music Theory 101101

Snack Theatre 2014Snack Theatre 2014

Quick Review – Staff, Clef, SystemQuick Review – Staff, Clef, System

A A staffstaff is made up of five horizontal lines and four spaces is made up of five horizontal lines and four spaces

A A clefclef is a musical symbol placed at the beginning of the staff that is a musical symbol placed at the beginning of the staff that determines the letter names of the lines and spaces.determines the letter names of the lines and spaces. The two main clefs are the The two main clefs are the trebletreble and the and the bassbass::

A single vertical line drawn to the left of multiple staffs creates a A single vertical line drawn to the left of multiple staffs creates a grand staffgrand staff and a and a systemsystem, indicating that the music on all the , indicating that the music on all the staffs is to be played/sung at the same time.staffs is to be played/sung at the same time.

Treble Clef Bass Clef

Treble Clef(TOP)

Bass Clef(BOTTOM)

Quick Review – Bar Lines, RepeatsQuick Review – Bar Lines, Repeats A A measuremeasure or or barbar line refers to the vertical lines drawn through line refers to the vertical lines drawn through

the staff to mark off metrical units. the staff to mark off metrical units.

A A double bar-linedouble bar-line can consist of two single bar-lines drawn close can consist of two single bar-lines drawn close together, separating two sections within a piece, OR a bar-line together, separating two sections within a piece, OR a bar-line followed by a thicker bar-line, indicating the end of a piece. followed by a thicker bar-line, indicating the end of a piece.

A repeat sign looks like the music end, but it has two dots, one A repeat sign looks like the music end, but it has two dots, one above the other, indicating that the section of music that is before above the other, indicating that the section of music that is before is to be repeated. The beginning of the repeated passage can be is to be repeated. The beginning of the repeated passage can be marked by a begin-repeat sign; if this is absent the repeat returns marked by a begin-repeat sign; if this is absent the repeat returns to the beginning of the piece or movement. to the beginning of the piece or movement.

A B C D

E F G H

NotesNotes

Each type of Each type of notenote has a specific look and a specific duration: has a specific look and a specific duration:

A note value may be augmented by adding a A note value may be augmented by adding a dotdot after it. This dot after it. This dot adds the next lower note value, making it adds the next lower note value, making it one and a halfone and a half times times its original duration. its original duration.

1 beat + ½ beat = 1.5 beats2 beats + 2/2 beats = 3 beats

“one and two and three and four and…”

“one ee and ah, two ee and ah, three ee and ah, four ee and ah…”

Triplets and SyncopationTriplets and Syncopation

Triplets - Whereas normally two quarter notes are the Triplets - Whereas normally two quarter notes are the same duration as a half note, three triplet quarter notes total that same duration as a half note, three triplet quarter notes total that same duration. Similarly, three triplet eighth notes are equal in same duration. Similarly, three triplet eighth notes are equal in duration to one quarter note. duration to one quarter note.

Syncopation - A shift of accent in a passage or composition that Syncopation - A shift of accent in a passage or composition that occurs when a normally weak beat is stressed.occurs when a normally weak beat is stressed.

Time SignaturesTime Signatures

Time signaturesTime signatures indicate the meter the song is in which indicate how indicate the meter the song is in which indicate how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat. beat.

Simple time signatures consist of two numerals, one stacked above Simple time signatures consist of two numerals, one stacked above the other:the other: the lower numeral indicates the note value which represents one beat (4 = the lower numeral indicates the note value which represents one beat (4 =

quarter, 8 = eighth, 1 = whole, etc)quarter, 8 = eighth, 1 = whole, etc) the upper numeral indicates how many such beats there are in a barthe upper numeral indicates how many such beats there are in a bar

For instance, For instance, 2 / 4 means two quarter-note beats per measure2 / 4 means two quarter-note beats per measure6 / 8 means six eighth-note beats per measure - often felt in “2” (1,2,3) + 6 / 8 means six eighth-note beats per measure - often felt in “2” (1,2,3) + (1,2,3)(1,2,3)

A is sometimes used to refer to 4 / 4 timeA is sometimes used to refer to 4 / 4 time The most common time signatures that we will deal with areThe most common time signatures that we will deal with are

Rhythms and SyncopationRhythms and Syncopation

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

PitchesPitches

PitchesPitches are named after the first seven letters of the alphabet are named after the first seven letters of the alphabet (A B C (A B C

D E F G) D E F G) and follow that same order for both treble and bass clef. and follow that same order for both treble and bass clef.

Some standard acronyms to help remember the notes on a staff are: Some standard acronyms to help remember the notes on a staff are:

The smallest interval used is the half step. A visual representation of The smallest interval used is the half step. A visual representation of a half step would be the distance between a consecutive white and a half step would be the distance between a consecutive white and black note on the piano. There are two exceptions to this rule, as two black note on the piano. There are two exceptions to this rule, as two natural half steps occur between the notes E and F, and B and C. A natural half steps occur between the notes E and F, and B and C. A whole step is made up of two half steps. whole step is made up of two half steps.

Letter names are modified by the Letter names are modified by the accidentalsaccidentals. A . A sharpsharp raises a note raises a note by a half-step, and a by a half-step, and a flatflat lowers it by the same amount. A lowers it by the same amount. A naturalnatural is is an accidental which cancels previous accidentals and represents the an accidental which cancels previous accidentals and represents the unaltered pitch of a noteunaltered pitch of a note A flat, C sharp, A

natural

Pitches – ApplicationPitches – Application

C C naturalnatural

BbBb

D#D#

E#E#

G#G#

AbAb

Pitches – AnswersPitches – Answers

C C naturalnatural

BbBb

D#D#

E#E#

G#G#

AbAb

Key SignaturesKey Signatures

A A key signaturekey signature is a series of sharp or flat symbols placed on  is a series of sharp or flat symbols placed on the staff, that are to be consistently played one 1/2 step higher or the staff, that are to be consistently played one 1/2 step higher or lower than the equivalent natural notes. lower than the equivalent natural notes.

Key signatures are generally written immediately after the clef at Key signatures are generally written immediately after the clef at the beginning of a linethe beginning of a line

A key signature will have either sharps or flats, but there will not A key signature will have either sharps or flats, but there will not be any key signatures with both.be any key signatures with both.

To determine the To determine the keykey based on the key signature: based on the key signature: If the key signature has If the key signature has sharpssharps, look at the position of the , look at the position of the last sharp last sharp

and raise it by a half-stepand raise it by a half-step to get the key. For example, if the last  to get the key. For example, if the last sharp is C, raise it a half step which is D, the key is D major. sharp is C, raise it a half step which is D, the key is D major.

When the key signature has When the key signature has flatsflats, look at the , look at the second to the last second to the last flatflat and you get the key. So for example A flat is the second to the last  and you get the key. So for example A flat is the second to the last flat sign in the key signature, this means the music is in A flat major. flat sign in the key signature, this means the music is in A flat major.

The The exception to this rule is F majorexception to this rule is F major because it only has one  because it only has one flat flat and C majorand C major because it has no flats or sharps. because it has no flats or sharps.

1. 2. 3. 4 . 5. 6. 7. 8.

IntervalsIntervals

Intervals are the distance between two notesIntervals are the distance between two notes

Major intervals Major intervals M2 – Happy Birthday, Silent NightM2 – Happy Birthday, Silent Night M3 – I Could Have Danced All Night, M3 – I Could Have Danced All Night,

When the Saints Go Marching In When the Saints Go Marching In P4 – Here Comes The Bride, TapsP4 – Here Comes The Bride, Taps M5 – Star Wars Theme, Twinkle TwinkleM5 – Star Wars Theme, Twinkle Twinkle M6 – NBC Theme, My Bonnie Lies Over the OceanM6 – NBC Theme, My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean M7 – Bali Hai, M7 – Bali Hai, M8 (octave) – Somewhere Over the RainbowM8 (octave) – Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Minor intervalsMinor intervals m2 – Jawsm2 – Jaws m3 – O Canada, So Long, Farewell, Doorbellm3 – O Canada, So Long, Farewell, Doorbell

min 2nd Maj 2nd min 3rd Maj 3rd Perfect 4th Aug 4th Dim 5th Perf 5th min 6th Maj 6th min 7 Maj 7 Octave

Reading an octavoReading an octavo Bei Mir Bist du SchonBei Mir Bist du Schon

TitleTitle Page NumberPage Number Style/Tempo DescriptionStyle/Tempo Description Music Part (SATB, SSA, SAB, 2 – Part)Music Part (SATB, SSA, SAB, 2 – Part) DynamicsDynamics ““rit.”rit.” ““unison”unison” Measure number – boxed and unboxedMeasure number – boxed and unboxed Breath marksBreath marks FermataFermata BreaksBreaks

CodasCodas CodaCoda (Italian for "tail") designates a passage that brings a  (Italian for "tail") designates a passage that brings a

piece/movement to an end. It may be as simple as a piece/movement to an end. It may be as simple as a few measures, or as complex as an entire section.few measures, or as complex as an entire section.

Da CapoDa Capo meaning  meaning from the beginningfrom the beginning. It is often . It is often abbreviated abbreviated D.C.D.C.  

Dal Segno Dal Segno meaning from the sign. It is often abbreviated meaning from the sign. It is often abbreviated D.SD.S

Segno Coda

CodasCodas Da Capo al FineDa Capo al Fine (D.C. al Fine): repeat from beginning to the  (D.C. al Fine): repeat from beginning to the

end end (or up to the word (or up to the word finefine, should that appear at the end of the , should that appear at the end of the passage – the wordpassage – the word fine fine itself signifying itself signifying “end”“end”))..

Dal Segno al FineDal Segno al Fine (D.S. al Fine): repeat from beginning to the  (D.S. al Fine): repeat from beginning to the end end (or up to the word (or up to the word finefine should that appear at the end of the should that appear at the end of the passage – the wordpassage – the word fine fine itself signifying itself signifying “end”“end”))..

CodasCodas Da Capo al CodaDa Capo al Coda (D.C. al Coda): repeat from beginning to an  (D.C. al Coda): repeat from beginning to an

indicated place and then play the tail part (the coda).indicated place and then play the tail part (the coda).

Dal Segno al CodaDal Segno al Coda (D.S. al Coda): instructs the musician to  (D.S. al Coda): instructs the musician to repeat back to the sign, and when Al coda or To coda is reached repeat back to the sign, and when Al coda or To coda is reached jump to the coda symboljump to the coda symbol

AddendumAddendum

Reading An Reading An OctavoOctavo

TitleTitle Page NumberPage Number Repeat BeginningRepeat Beginning Repeat EndingRepeat Ending DynamicsDynamics Measure NumberMeasure Number ChordChord Time SignatureTime Signature Key SignatureKey Signature StaccatoStaccato ““Slide”Slide” Treble ClefTreble Clef Bass ClefBass Clef TempoTempo

Reading An Reading An OctavoOctavo

TitleTitle Page NumberPage Number Repeat BeginningRepeat Beginning Repeat EndingRepeat Ending DynamicsDynamics Measure NumberMeasure Number ChordChord Time SignatureTime Signature Key SignatureKey Signature StaccatoStaccato ““Slide”Slide” Treble ClefTreble Clef Bass ClefBass Clef TempoTempo

DynamicsDynamics

DynamicsDynamics refers to the volume of a note/piece/sound refers to the volume of a note/piece/sound

The two basic dynamic indications in music are:The two basic dynamic indications in music are: pp or  or pianopiano, meaning "soft", meaning "soft" ff  or   or forteforte, meaning "loud", meaning "loud"

More subtle degrees of loudness or softness are indicated by:More subtle degrees of loudness or softness are indicated by: mpmp, standing for , standing for mezzo-pianomezzo-piano, meaning "moderately soft", meaning "moderately soft" mfmf, standing for , standing for mezzo-fortemezzo-forte, meaning "moderately loud“, meaning "moderately loud“ pppp “pianissimo” meaning “very soft” “pianissimo” meaning “very soft” ff ff “fortissimo” meaning “very loud”“fortissimo” meaning “very loud”

Two Italian words are used to show gradual changes in Two Italian words are used to show gradual changes in volume. volume. CrescendoCrescendo, abbreviated , abbreviated cresc.cresc., translates as "gradually , translates as "gradually becoming louder", and becoming louder", and diminuendodiminuendo, abbreviated , abbreviated dim.dim., means "gradually , means "gradually becoming softer". The alternate becoming softer". The alternate decrescendodecrescendo, abbreviated to , abbreviated to decresc.decresc., , also means "gradually becoming softer“. also means "gradually becoming softer“.

TempoTempo

Tempo (Italian for time) is the speed/pace of a given piece. Tempo (Italian for time) is the speed/pace of a given piece.

The tempo of a piece will typically be written at the start of a piece The tempo of a piece will typically be written at the start of a piece of music, and is usually indicated in of music, and is usually indicated in beats per minutebeats per minute ( (BPMBPM). This ). This means that a particular note value (for example, a quarter note or means that a particular note value (for example, a quarter note or crotchet) is specified as the beat, and the marking indicates that a crotchet) is specified as the beat, and the marking indicates that a certain number of these beats must be played per minute. The certain number of these beats must be played per minute. The greater the tempo, the larger the number of beats that must be greater the tempo, the larger the number of beats that must be played in a minute is, and, therefore, the faster a piece must be played in a minute is, and, therefore, the faster a piece must be played. played. 

Basic Tempo Markings:Basic Tempo Markings: LargoLargo – broadly (40–50 BPM) – broadly (40–50 BPM) AdagioAdagio – slow/stately (literally, "at ease") (51–60 BPM) – slow/stately (literally, "at ease") (51–60 BPM) AdagiettoAdagietto – rather slow (61–80 BPM) – rather slow (61–80 BPM) AndanteAndante – at a walking pace (61–80 BPM) – at a walking pace (61–80 BPM) ModeratoModerato – moderately (81–90 BPM) – moderately (81–90 BPM) AllegroAllegro – fast, quickly and bright (105–132 BPM) – fast, quickly and bright (105–132 BPM) PrestoPresto – very fast (168–177 BPM) – very fast (168–177 BPM)

Changes In Tempo & ArticulationChanges In Tempo & Articulation AccelerandoAccelerando – speeding up (abbreviation:  – speeding up (abbreviation: accel.accel.)) RallentandoRallentando – gradual slowing down (abbreviation:  – gradual slowing down (abbreviation: rall.rall.) or ) or

broadening of tempobroadening of tempo RitardandoRitardando – slowing down gradually; (abbreviations: rit., ritard.) – slowing down gradually; (abbreviations: rit., ritard.) RubatoRubato – free adjustment of tempo for expressive purposes – free adjustment of tempo for expressive purposes a tempoa tempo – in time; return to the main tempo of the piece (often – in time; return to the main tempo of the piece (often

after an accelerando or ritardando, etc.)after an accelerando or ritardando, etc.)

Staccato (Italian for detached) Staccato (Italian for detached) signifies a note of shortened signifies a note of shortened duration, separated from the note that may follow by silence.duration, separated from the note that may follow by silence.

LegatoLegato (Italian for "tied together") indicates that musical notes (Italian for "tied together") indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly and connectedare played or sung smoothly and connected

Slur - a curved line used to indicate that notes should be Slur - a curved line used to indicate that notes should be interpretted as a phrase and often in one breath.interpretted as a phrase and often in one breath.