"Musika" Composed/Arranged by Bem Orchestrator
Now that you have understood how major scales are constructed, you may have notice by now that you are confronted with having so many flats and sharps when you are constructing other major scales such as the B Major scale or the D Flat Major scale.
Let us take for example the construction of the C sharp Major Scale, by applying the formula for the major scale we get;
Now, you will notice that there are too many sharps and that would really scare most the music students away. Of course, not to mention that this is one of the most difficult scales to play.
The point there is, it would be more convenient if we could write this scale in some other way that is more pleasing to the eye and mushc easier to read.
Key Signatures
- it is the arrangement of the necessary flats and sharps of a scale and appears at the beginning of a staff within a composition after the clef.
You have seen above the different major scales but written in their proper key signatures and is now more convenient to look at.
Here are a list of the different key signatures and how they are written.
To help you memorize these key signatures faster, let me introduce this mnemonic to you. Go Down And Eat Banana Fe Cruz. Remember these words and you'll be having no problem recalling the key signatures for the sharps. When you want to know what key signature that has 3 sharps, then it will be A major because it's the third word of the sequence.
As for remembering key signatures using flats, just remember the following words. Fat Boys Eat Apple During Good Climate. You use them just like how you use the words to remember sharp key signatures. If you want to know what key signature that uses 4 flats, then you just remember the 4th word of the sequence. A flat Major.
Now, let me explain to you how we exactly write different key signatures. What are the rules?
Rules for writing key signatures on sharps
How to write key signatures on flats?
You begin with what note you would want to write but in this case I will choose the key of F which is a fourth from C. If you write the key of F using letter names and the Major scale formula, you will get the following. F G A Bb C D E F.
Notice that you have one flat in the key of F and that is Bb, take a look at how it is played on the piano and notice one black key is played in the key of F.
Now that we have shown that there is one flat note in the key of F, we write its key signature this way
Notice that the flat sign is written on the third line. This means that all B's written in this key signature is to be played flat instead of a natural B note. Unless you will see a natural sign canceling the flat sign beside a note head.
To write the next key signature, we recall the our mnemonic Fat Boys Eat Apple During Good Climate. We then know that the key signature with 2 flats would be the key of Bb. To prove that, by applying our Major Scale formula we get Bb C D Eb F G A Bb.
On the keyboard notice how many black keys are played.
Now this how we write the key signature of Bb.
We count 4 steps up from the third line as our first count, we end up on the 4 space. This key signature tells us to play every B note and E note in this key as Bb and Eb.
To continue writing on the key signatures involving flat, just remember the rule, Count up by 4 steps then go down by 5 steps.
Thus, if we continue to the next key signature, a fourth from Bb, we get to Eb and we write it this way, this time on both G clef and F clef.
I think it is by now pretty obvious and easy how to write key signatures involving flats, just by following the given rule. Count up by 4 and count down by 5
Here are the rest of the key signatures in flats, notice how the given rule on how to write applies.
How to write key signatures involving sharps?
Remember that the successive tonics of major scales involving flats are a fourth above the previous scale. As for the successive tonics of Major Scales involving sharps, they are a fifth above the previous tonic.
Remember our mnemonic for memorizing key signatures on sharps? Go Down And Eat Banana Fe Cruz.
From the key of C where there are no sharps or flats, we get the first key signature on sharps which is a fifth above C and that is the key of G.
Applying the rule on constructing major scales, we get, G A B C D E F# G
Notice there is only one black key being played on the key of G
The rule on writing key signatures involving sharps varies a little bit unlike the flats which is very stable. What I mean by this is upon reaching the 5th sharp on this key signature, the rule is a little bit different compare to first four sharps.
Count up by five go down by 4. This rule applies up to the key of E which has 4 sharps
After the fourth sharp, instead of going up by 5, you go down again by 4 and then resume to going up by five and going down by 4.
If you have anymore questions on this topic please feel free to comment below.
![](http://static3.depositphotos.com/1007572/232/i/950/depositphotos_2322240-Pretty-Blonde-Guitar-Player.jpg)
I have many musicians who asks me what is a scale. What are scales for? What are the different types of scales? How do you use them?
I could go on and on recalling those questions and it led me to one conclusion. These musicians are so blinded they were literally living and groping in the darkness of their so called music.
I am writing these topic to help everyone who are interested to understand scales. My objective is to somehow enlightened them with the basic concept of scales and then take the next step into creating music out these concepts.
Performers practice scales to develop their technique. The recurring patterns and notes in scales help performers a lot in their technical aspect of music and even in their creation of musical compositions.
Scale
- is a collection of pitches or notes in ascending or descending order.
Here is an example of a C major scale
Listen to a piano playing the C major Scale
Listen to an overdrive guitar playing the scale
Diatonic Scale
- this literally means "across the tone". A scale of mix half and whole steps and sometimes a step and a half where each individual tones plays an important role.
Scale Degrees
- each degree of a seven tone diatonic scale has its own function listed below.
- the first degree of a scale is called the tonic and it is the tonal center of a scale, also the final resolution of a scale.
- the 2nd degree is called supertonic it is one step above the tonic.
- the 3rd degree is called the mediant and is halfway between the first degree and the fifth degree
- the 4th degree is called subdominant it is referred as the lower dominant because it is the fifth tone down from the tonic.
- the 5th degree is called the dominant because it is the second next important tone after the tonic.
- the 6th degree is called the submediant and is halfway between the tonic and lower dominant
- the 7th degree is called the subtonic and is use only to designate the 7th degree of a natural minor scale.
Major Scale
- is a scale of 7 different pitches with whole steps seperating adjacent tones except for the third and fourth degreee and the seventh and eight degree.
We have a very simple formula in constructing a major scale.
This is how we build a major scale on C Major by using the formula above.
Transposition
- the formula for constructing a major scale can be done on any given pitch, rewriting it on another pitch aside from the given example above is called transposition.
Here is where the major scale formula is applied and transpose on the scale of G major.
Now that you have understood how to construct a major scale, there is no stopping you now from creating any major scale. Just practice constructing and playing them. Have fun!
You have made it into another chapter of an incredible journey into the vast world of music. I'm sure you have learned something from parts 1 and 2 and you are more than ready to dig deeper into this chapter. Welcome to part 3 of this series and I hope that you will come out of this chapter with excitement knowing that you are seeing new horizons in your music.
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Notation of Duration
A whole note is good for 4 counts
The Tie
- it is a curved line that connects two same pitches and connects their sound with a duration equal to the sum of the two note values
Irregular Subdivisions
- as shown above by our rhythm notation chart, a note can be divided and subdivided into equal parts. Those divisions that require added numbers are called irregular divisions and subdivisions.
Rhythm
- is a general term used to described the movement or motion of music in time. Its fundamental unit is beat or pulse. Even people who are not trained in music can sense the pulse or beat and may respond either by tapping their foot or clapping their hand.
Tempo
- is an Italian word that comes from the greek word tempus which means time.
TEMPO NAME BEATS PER MINUTE
Largo 40-60
Larghetto 60-66
Adagio 66-76
Andante 76-108
Moderato 108-120
Allegro 120-168
Presto 168-200
Prestissimo 200-208
Tempo Related Terms
There are terms that affect the tempo of a piece aside from the ones mentioned above.
accelerando (accel.) = speed up gradually
allargando (allarg.) = slow down and grow louder
ritardando (rit.) = slow down gradually
rallentando (rall.) = slow down gradually
Meter or Time Signatures
- defined as a regular, recurring pattern of strong and weak beats. A meter or time signature is made up of two numbers. It appears at the beginning of a piece. It gives us two different informations. The number above indicates the number of basic note values, it may not indicate the number of pulses per measure as we will see later.
- the number below indicates a basic note value; 2 stands for a half note, 4 stands for a quarter note, 8 stands for an eight note, 16 stands for a sixteenth note and 32 stands for a 32nd note.
Simple Meter
- each beat is divided into two parts (simple subdivision). In a simple meter, the upper numbers are usually 2,3 or 4 indicating two, three or four basic pulses.
The basic pulse in a simple meter will be some kind of a note whose value is not dotted.
Compound Meter
- in a compound meter, each pulse is a dotted note, which we will divide into groups of three parts (compound division). The upper numbers you usually see in a compound meter is 6, 9 and 12. In compound meter, the lower number refers to the division of the beat while the number above indicates the number of these division per measure.
The basic pulse of a compound meter is some kind of a dotted note value.
Duple, Triple and Quadruple Meters
- both simple and compound meter will have two, three or four recurring pulses. Meters are identified as duple if there are two basic pulses, triple if there are three basic pulses and quadruple if there are four. Theses designations are often combined with the division names to discribe a meter.
Assymetrical Meters
- these are meter that cannot be divided into equal groups of 2, 3 or 4. The upper number of these meters are usually 5 or 7.
Syncopation
- if the part of the measure that is not usually accented is given emphasis, that is called a syncopation.
- another way of defining it to simply stress the beat that is usually unstressed.
Watch these videos to see and hear a sample of syncopated music
Dynamic Markings
- this was mentioned in the topic basic elements of music but let us discuss it here in more details.
- these markings indicate the general volume or amplitude of a sound. Although it is not precise, it denotes the approximately level of intensity.
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Notation of Duration
A whole note is good for 4 counts
A half note is good for 2 counts
A quarter note is good for 1 count
An eight note is good for 1/2 count
A sixteenth note is good for 1/4 count
A thirty second note is good for 1/8 count
Based on the given values of each note, we can then arrived to a diagram such as this
The Tie
- it is a curved line that connects two same pitches and connects their sound with a duration equal to the sum of the two note values
The Slur
- is a curved line that connects two or more notes of different pitches.
The Dot
- when place to the right of a note head, the dot lengthens the value of the note by half against its value. When another dot is added, the dot lengthens the value of the first dot by half its value.
Dots can also be placed after rest, the same concept applies, the only diffirence is you are now dealing with rests.
- as shown above by our rhythm notation chart, a note can be divided and subdivided into equal parts. Those divisions that require added numbers are called irregular divisions and subdivisions.
Rhythm
- is a general term used to described the movement or motion of music in time. Its fundamental unit is beat or pulse. Even people who are not trained in music can sense the pulse or beat and may respond either by tapping their foot or clapping their hand.
Tempo
- is an Italian word that comes from the greek word tempus which means time.
Here are the most common tempos, from slowest to fastest.
TEMPO NAME BEATS PER MINUTE
Largo 40-60
Larghetto 60-66
Adagio 66-76
Andante 76-108
Moderato 108-120
Allegro 120-168
Presto 168-200
Prestissimo 200-208
Tempo Related Terms
There are terms that affect the tempo of a piece aside from the ones mentioned above.
accelerando (accel.) = speed up gradually
allargando (allarg.) = slow down and grow louder
ritardando (rit.) = slow down gradually
rallentando (rall.) = slow down gradually
Meter or Time Signatures
- defined as a regular, recurring pattern of strong and weak beats. A meter or time signature is made up of two numbers. It appears at the beginning of a piece. It gives us two different informations. The number above indicates the number of basic note values, it may not indicate the number of pulses per measure as we will see later.
- the number below indicates a basic note value; 2 stands for a half note, 4 stands for a quarter note, 8 stands for an eight note, 16 stands for a sixteenth note and 32 stands for a 32nd note.
Simple Meter
- each beat is divided into two parts (simple subdivision). In a simple meter, the upper numbers are usually 2,3 or 4 indicating two, three or four basic pulses.
The basic pulse in a simple meter will be some kind of a note whose value is not dotted.
Compound Meter
- in a compound meter, each pulse is a dotted note, which we will divide into groups of three parts (compound division). The upper numbers you usually see in a compound meter is 6, 9 and 12. In compound meter, the lower number refers to the division of the beat while the number above indicates the number of these division per measure.
The basic pulse of a compound meter is some kind of a dotted note value.
Duple, Triple and Quadruple Meters
- both simple and compound meter will have two, three or four recurring pulses. Meters are identified as duple if there are two basic pulses, triple if there are three basic pulses and quadruple if there are four. Theses designations are often combined with the division names to discribe a meter.
Assymetrical Meters
- these are meter that cannot be divided into equal groups of 2, 3 or 4. The upper number of these meters are usually 5 or 7.
Syncopation
- if the part of the measure that is not usually accented is given emphasis, that is called a syncopation.
- another way of defining it to simply stress the beat that is usually unstressed.
Watch these videos to see and hear a sample of syncopated music
Dynamic Markings
- this was mentioned in the topic basic elements of music but let us discuss it here in more details.
- these markings indicate the general volume or amplitude of a sound. Although it is not precise, it denotes the approximately level of intensity.
If you haven't check Music Notation Made Simple Part 1 I suggest you check that out before having any plans on reading this section. Of course there is always an exemption, if you happen to already have some knowledge on the basics of music notation, you are more than welcome to read this chapter.
Have Fun!
After years of teaching music, I found a technique of learning how to read music in a simple way. It works for me, it doesn't mean it's the only way. Haha too much ways to say there, I would be more than happy to share how I teach music in my own way!
TECHNIQUES IN READING AND IDENTIFYING LETTERS ON THE STAFF
We have already discussed about the letter names in a previous chapter, so we are now ready to take the next step in using them.
Letter names have equivalent singing names or the solfa syllables which is use more often in singing lessons than on this one. For uniformity purposes we will be using letter names (C D E F G A B) instead of singing names (Do Re Mi...).
READING NOTES ON THE G STAFF
For notes on lines of a treble clef just remember the words Every Good Boy Does Fine. Taking only every first letter of each word would give us the notes on the lines of a G staff.
As for the notes on the spaces of a G staff, we just remember the letters that form the word FACE.
NOTE: THIS METHOD IS ONLY FOR NOTES WITHIN THE STAFF AND NOT BEYOND OR BELOW THE STAFF, WE HAVEN'T TOUCH THE TOPIC ON LEDGER LINES YET
Moving on to the F staff, remember the words, Good Boys Do Fine Always for the notes on the lines of a F staff
and remember ACEG (you can give any meaning for this one) for notes on the spaces of a F staff.
That wasn't so hard I'm sure. The moment you determine a note on the staff, it is then very easy to identify the notes below or above that note. It is one step of identifying the notes on a staff.
Note: The higher the position of a note on a staff, the higher its pitch is. The lower its position on the staff, the lower its pitch is.
Ledger Lines
- are lines located above and below the staff. Its purpose is to guide you when reading notes that are above or below the staff. Without these lines it would be very hard to distinguish notes above or below the staff.
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Notes extending above and below the G staff |
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Notes extending above and below the F staff |
Exercise
Try to answer this exercise to test what you have learned so far. For more exercises, you can go to exercise page of this blog.
The Grand Staff
- when you connect the G staff and the F staff you get what we call the Grand Staff.
In piano music, the treble staff is played by the right hand while the bass staff is played by the left hand
Watch the video of a piano excerpt of Bach's Courante from French Suite No.2
This is an example of a Grand Staff use for Four Part Chorale Writing
In four part chorale writing, the treble staff is use for the Sopranos and the Altos while the bass staff is use for the Tenors and the Basses.
Octave Identification
- the word octave means a series of eight (8) notes, 7 of which are unique and 1 is a repetition of the first
- if you think I lost you there, then this image might help you understand what an octave is
- because the pitch spectrum is so wide, one must be able to identify a specific note by the octave in which it appears.
Now let us view the whole spectrum of pitches in different octaves and identify where our middle C is located.
As you can see base on the figure above, each tone has a certain octave, specific to itself, although you may find C a lot of times, but each C is a different and unique C. That is true to all pitches on the spectrum. This octave identification is approved by the International Acoustical Society. You may want to google the Helmholtz System, this is a derivation of that famous acoustic system.
Accidentals
- are symbols that you place to the left of the note head, that is before the note head, to indicate the raising or lowering of a pitch.
Sharp sign raises the pitch of a note a half step and looks like this
Flat sign lowers the pitch of a note and looks like this
Double sharp sign raises the pitch of a note a whole step and a Double flat lowers the pitch of a note a whole step. Both of these are shown below
This is how you use these accidentals when you write music
Click play to hear the image
Interval
- is the relationship between two tones or the distance between two distinct pitches. In western music, the smallest interval is a half step, in the keyboard, it will be two adjacent keys.
Listen how these half steps sound like
Enharmonic Equivalents
- are tones that have the same pitch but spelled differently or have different letter names
Half step motion
- in music passages involving a half step motion, often a flatted note is followed by a note that is spelled differently and is a half step lower.
a sharp note is usually followed most often with a note a half step higher and spelled differently.
That ends our part 2 of this chapter, please proceed to part 3