All Flashcards
What is a diatonic scale?
Another name for the major scale, referring to its specific pattern of whole and half steps.
Define 'octave'.
An interval spanning 8 pitches; the distance from one note to the same note higher or lower.
What does 'diatonic' mean?
A note that is part of the major scale.
What does 'chromatic' mean?
A note that is not part of the major scale.
Define 'key signature'.
A set of sharps or flats at the beginning of a staff indicating the key of a piece.
Define 'tonic'.
The first degree of the scale, the home base, and most stable note.
Define 'dominant'.
The fifth degree of the scale, creating tension and a desire to return to the tonic.
Define 'leading tone'.
The seventh degree of the scale, a half step below the tonic, creating a strong pull towards it.
Define 'supertonic'.
The second degree of the scale, a whole step above the tonic.
Define 'subdominant'.
The fourth degree of the scale, creating a sense of stability.
What does a sharp (#) do to a note?
Raises the pitch by a half step.
What does a flat (♭) do to a note?
Lowers the pitch by a half step.
What is the order of sharps in a key signature?
F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#
What is the order of flats in a key signature?
Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb
How do you determine the key from a sharp key signature?
The last sharp is a half step below the tonic.
How do you determine the key from a flat key signature?
The second to last flat is the tonic.
How many sharps are in the key of A Major?
3 (F#, C#, G#)
How many flats are in the key of Eb Major?
3 (Bb, Eb, Ab)
What is the key signature for G Major?
One sharp (F#)
What is the key signature for F Major?
One flat (Bb)
What is the pattern of whole and half steps in a major scale?
W-W-H-W-W-W-H
What are the scale degrees in a major scale?
Tonic, Supertonic, Mediant, Subdominant, Dominant, Submediant, Leading Tone, Octave
What notes make up a C major scale?
C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
What notes make up a G major scale?
G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G
What notes make up a D major scale?
D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D
What notes make up an F major scale?
F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F
What notes make up a A major scale?
A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A
What notes make up a Bb major scale?
Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb
What notes make up a E major scale?
E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E
What notes make up a Eb major scale?
Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb