Fundamental music theory concepts
20 cards · practical
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| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| Musical Alphabet | A B C D E F G, repeating in cycles. After G, it returns to A at the next pitch level. |
| Semitone | Smallest step in Western music; half step. Example: E to F or B to C on a piano. |
| Whole Step | Two semitones. Example: C to D or F# to G#. |
| Sharp | Raises a note by one semitone. Example: C sharp is one half step above C. |
| Flat | Lowers a note by one semitone. Example: B flat is one half step below B. |
| Interval | The distance between two notes. Named by number (2nd, 3rd, 4th) and quality (major, minor, perfect). |
| Octave | Interval of 12 semitones between same-named notes. Sounds like the same pitch higher or lower. |
| Major Scale | W-W-H-W-W-W-H C major: C D E F G A B C; often described as bright. |
| Natural Minor Scale | W-H-W-W-H-W-W A minor: A B C D E F G A; often described as dark/sad. |
| Key | The tonal center and scale of a piece. Example: In G major, G feels like home and uses the G major scale. |
| Key Signature | Sharps or flats that indicate the key. Shown at the start of the staff to mark consistent altered notes. |
| Tonic | The home note of a key or scale. In C major, C is the tonic (home base). |
| Dominant | The fifth scale degree that leads to the tonic. In C major, G is the dominant; it pulls strongly back to C. |
| Triad | Three-note chord built in thirds. Uses root, third, and fifth. |
| Major Triad | Root, major third, perfect fifth. Example: C E G. |
| Minor Triad | Root, minor third, perfect fifth. Example: A C E. |
| Beat | The basic pulse of the music. It’s what you tap your foot to. |
| Measure | A group of beats separated by barlines. Also called a bar. |
| Time Signature | Numbers showing beats per measure and beat unit. Example: 4/4 means four quarter-note beats per measure. |
| Tempo | The speed of the beat, in beats per minute. Markings like Allegro or numbers like 120 BPM set the pace. |