Chapter 1 ::
Pitch
Treble and Bass Clef
In music, a clef is the symbol on the left side of the staff that indicates of the pitch of the written notes. There are many types of clefs. However, the two that we use the most in class are treble and bass clef. One of the requirements before coming into the class was to be able to read these two clefs. I took Pop Music and Music and the iPad and have been around for a while, so I am fairly familiar with the treble clef and am confident in reading those notes; however, my ability to read the bass clef could get better. I struggle with reading the ledger lines on the bass clef. As I continue to broaden my knowledge of music theory and learn more skills, I believe that my ability to read those notes will be strengthened. My goal by the end of this class is know the bass clef as well as I know the treble clef, if not better.
Here is a picture of the notes on the treble and bass clef. I have also included the alto and tenor clef, which we rarely use but is useful to have in your back pocket. If you click on the button below any of the images, it will take you to an exercise where you can practice each specific skill. Click on the button at very below to see an image with the note names with octave numbers on them for a more specific way to label pitches:
Here is a picture of the notes on the treble and bass clef. I have also included the alto and tenor clef, which we rarely use but is useful to have in your back pocket. If you click on the button below any of the images, it will take you to an exercise where you can practice each specific skill. Click on the button at very below to see an image with the note names with octave numbers on them for a more specific way to label pitches:
Accidentals and Enharmonic Equivalents
Another important foundational principle you need to know about music theory are accidentals. Accidentals are used to raise or lower the pitch of notes. There are 4 types of accidentals: sharp, double sharp, flat, double flat. Flats are responsible for lowering a note by a half step. Double flats do the same job, except that it lowers a note by a whole step. Sharps raise a note by a half step, and double sharps raise a note by a whole step. Refer to keyboard to the left as a reference for accidentals. Each key is considered a half step.
Two notes that have the same sound, but a different name are enharmonic with each other. For example, Ab (A flat) is enharmonic to G# (G sharp). Click on the image to the left for more about accidentals!
Two notes that have the same sound, but a different name are enharmonic with each other. For example, Ab (A flat) is enharmonic to G# (G sharp). Click on the image to the left for more about accidentals!