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APRIL
Monday, 4/30/12 (#105)-review
Using the clef for your instrument, draw the 7 sharps, in order, on the staff.
Tuesday, 4/17/12 (#104)-review
Name the 7 flats in the order they appear in the key signature.
Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Cb - Fb
Monday, 4/16/12 (#103)-review
Name the 7 sharps in the order they appear in the key signature.
F# - C# - G# - D# - A# - E# - B#
Tuesday, 4/10/12 (#102)-review
What two Italian terms mean to "gradually get slower"?
Wednesday, 4/4/12 (#101)-review
Arrange the following tempo markings from the slowest to fastest tempo: Allegro, Andante, Largo, Moderato, Presto.
Largo, Andante, Moderato, Allegro, Presto
Tuesday, 4/3/12 (#100)-review
What trick is used to determine the name of a key based on the flats in the key signature?
Identify the following major keys:Look at the next to the last flat. That is the name of the key.
Bb-Eb-Ab: Eb MajorBb-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb: Db MajorBb: F MajorBb-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Cb-Fb: Cb Major
Monday, 4/2/12 (#99)-review
What trick is used to determine the name of a key based on the sharps in the key signature?
Identify the following major keys:Look at the last sharp and go up 1/2 step to the next note in the music alphabet.
F#-C#-G#-D#: E MajorF#-C#: D MajorF#-C#-G#-D#-A#: B MajorF#: G Major
MARCH
Wednesday, 3/14/12 (#98)
How is Col Legno bowing performed?
With the wood of the bow.
Tuesday, 3/13/12 (#97)
Define modulation.
Modulation is the movement from one key or mode to another.
Monday, 3/12/12 (#96)
Identify the following major keys and their relative minor keys:
F#-C#-G#: A Major/f# minorBb-Eb-Ab: Eb Major/c minorBb: F Major/d minorF#-C#-G#-D#-A#: B Major/g# minorNo sharps or flats: C Major/a minor
Friday, 3/9/12 (#95)-review
What is the term for a rapid scale played by a sliding motion?
Glissando
Thursday, 3/8/12 (#94)
What is a medley?
A medley is a collection of songs that are musically linked together.
Wednesday, 3/7/12 (#93)-review
Build the following major triads using these notes as the root: D, F, B, Ab.
D - F# - A F - A - C B - D# - F# Ab - C - Eb
Tuesday, 3/6/12 (#92)-review
Compare triad and arpeggio.
Triad - chord with notes played simultaneouslyArpeggio - a broken chord with notes plaed individually
Monday, 3/5/12 (#91)-review
What does Maestoso mean?
Majestic
Friday, 3/2/12 (#90)-review
What is the difference betwen piu mosso and meno mosso?
piu mosso-play more quicklymeno mosso-play less quickly
Thursday, 3/1/12 (#89)
Describe the slurred staccato bowing stroke.
Slurred Staccato (Hooked bow) is a bowing with two or more staccato notes played in the same direction.
FEBRUARY
Tuesday, 2/28/12 (#88)
Build the following scales: Eb Major and its relative minor scale.
Eb Major: Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C - D - Ebc minor: C - D - Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C
Monday, 2/27/12 (#87)
How are these tempi played: Largo & Presto?
Largo is very fast and Presto is very slow.
Friday, 2/24/12 (#86)
Define glissando.
A rapid scale played by a sliding movement.
Thursday, 2/23/12 (#85)
What does poco a poco mean?
Poco a poco means little by little.
Wednesday, 2/22/12 (#84)
Explain the difference between relative keys and parallel keys?
Relative keys are the major and minor that have the same key signatures.Example: C Major and a minor (no sharps/no flats)Parallel keys are major and minor that share the same tonic note.Example: C Major (nor sharps/flats) and c minor (3 flats)
Tuesday, 2/21/12 (#83)
Explain piu mosso and meno mosso.
Piu means more and meno means less. Therefore, piu mosso means to play more quickly and meno mosso means to play less quickly.
Friday, 2/17/12 (#82)
In what order do the following items occur on the staff: time signature, clef, key signature?
clef, key signature, time signature
Thursday, 2/16/12 (#81)
Define rhythm.
Rhythm is the combination of long and short notes and rests in music.
Wednesday, 2/15/12 (#80)
How much does a dot increase the value of the note it follows?
The dot increases the value of a note by 1/2 the value of the note it follows.
Tuesday, 2/14/12 (#79)
Build a major triad using the following as the root of the chord: C, G, Bb, A, Eb.
C - E - G G - B - D Bb - D - F A - C# - E Eb - G - B
Monday, 2/13/12 (#78)
What is a triad?
A triad is a chord consisting of 3 tones: the root, and the 3rd and 5th above it.
Wednesday, 2/8/12 (#77) - review
What is the difference between these terms: Da Capo & Dal Segno?
Da Capo means to go back to the beginning.
Dal Segno means to go back to the sign.
Tuesday, 2/7/12 (#76)
What is the meaning of animato?
Play quickly, lively, animated.
Monday, 2/6/12 (#75)
Describe an arpeggio.
An arpeggio is a chord where the pitches are sounded individually rather than together. It's a broken chord.
Friday, 2/3/12 (#74) - review
Which type of minor scale has a raised 7th note?
Harmonic
Thursday, 2/2/12 (#73)
What are the 3 possible parts of a note?
The notehead, stem, flag/beam
Wednesday, 2/1/12 (#72)
Name the pattern of half and whole steps in a natural minor scale.
W - H - W - W - H - W - W
JANUARY
Tuesday, 1/31/12 (#71)
What is C major's relative minor scale? Build the natural, harmonic (ascending only) and melodic (ascending and descending) forms of that minor scale.
A minor:
Natural: A - B - C - D - E - F - G - AHarmonic: A - B - C - D - E - F# - G - AMelodic: A - B - C - D - E - F# - G# - A - G - F - E - D - C - B - A
Monday, 1/30/12 (#70)
Using the trick you learned previously, name the relative minor to these major keys: C major, F major, Bb major and D major.
C major - a minorF major - d minorBb major - g minorD major - b minor
Friday, 1/27/12 (#69) - review
Explain the difference between harmonics and enharmonic notes.
Harmonics are high-pitched tones that are produced by lightly touching the string instead of pressing it down firmly on the fingerboard.
Enharmonic notes are notes that sound the same but look different.
Thursday, 1/26/12 (#68)
How do the 3 types of minor scales differ?
Natural minor: follows the key signature of its relative major scale
Harmonic minor: raised 7th note
Melodic minor: raised 6th and 7th note ascending and uses the natural minor descending.
Wednesday, 1/25/12 (#67)
Name the 3 types of minor scales.
Natural minor, harmonic minor, melodic minor
Tuesday, 1/24/12 (#66)
Using the major key as a reference, how can you determine the relative minor key?
Count up a 6th from the tonic note of the major key.
Monday 1/23/12 (#65)
Explain syncopation?
Syncopation is the placement of accents on a weak beat or a weak portion of a beat or on a note that doesn't normally get emphasis.
Wednesday, 1/18/12 (#64)
What are ledger lines?
Short lines that appear above and below the staff used to write notes that are higher or lower that the staff are called ledger lines.
the Tuesday, 1/17/12 (#63)
What are harmonics and how are they played on a stringed instrument?
Harmonics are high pitched tones that are produced by lightly touching the string instead of pressing it down firmly on the fingerboard.
Monday, 1/16/12 - No school
Friday, 1/13/12 (#62)
What is the difference between a chromatic and diatonic scale?
Chromatic Scale is a scale made up of all half stepsDiatonic Scale is a major or minor scale
Thursday, 1/12/12 (#61)
What is the meaning of the term marcato?
Marcato is a style of playing where each note is strongly accented.
Wednesday, 1/11/12 (#60)
Build a descending, 1 octave, C chromatic scale.
C – B – Bb – A – Ab – G – Gb – F – E – Eb – D – Db – C
Monday, 1/9/12 (#59)
Build an ascending, 1 octave, C chromatic scale.
C – C# - D – D# - E – F – F# - G – G# - A – A# - B - C
Friday, 1/6/12 (#58)
What is a chromatic scale?
A scale made up of consecutive half steps
Thursday, 1/5/12 (#57)
What is the term for an emphasis or stress on a single note?
Accent
Wednesday, 1/4/12 (#56)
Define intonation.
Intonation is playing/singing the correct pitches in tune.
DECEMBER
Friday, 12/9/11 (#55)-review
What is the difference between spiccato and portato bowings?
In spiccato bowing, the bow is bounced lightly on the string.
In portato bowing, the bow is stopped briefly to create a slight separation between the notes.
Thursday, 12/8/11 (#54)
What is the difference between spiccato and portato bowings?
In spiccato bowing, the bow is bounced lightly on the string.
In portato bowing, the bow is stopped briefly to create a slight separation between the notes.
Tuesday, 12/6/11 (#53)
What is spiccato bowing?
Spiccato is a bowing technique in which the bow is bounced lightly on the string.
Monday, 12/5/11 (#52)
Describe the portato bowing technique. What is the name of the dash place above/below the notes?
Portato is a bowing where the bow is stopped briefly to create a slight separation between the notes. A tenuto mark ( - ) indicates a portato bowing.
Thursday, 12/1/11 (#51)
Describe the difference between playing staccato and legato articulations.
Staccato notes are played detached and short.
Legato notes are played smoothly and connected.
NOVEMBER
Wednesday, 11/30/11 (#50)
What is the difference between a tie and a slur?
A tie is a curved line that connects two notes of the same pitch in order to make it one long note.
A slur is a curved line that connects notes of different pitches indicating that they are to be played without a break. Stringed instruments play the slurred notes in the same bow stroke.
Tuesday, 11/29/11 (#49)
What are the two Italian music terms that mean to "gradually get softer"?
decrescendo and diminuendo
Tuesday, 11/22/11 (#48)
What holiday is celebrated each year on the 4th Thursday of November?
Thanksgiving
Monday, 11/21/11 (#47)
The order of flats in a key signature begins with Bb. What interval pattern is used to determine the remaining 6 flats? Name the 7 flats in order.
4th's: Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Cb - Fb
Friday, 11/18/11 (#46) - review
The order of sharps in a key signature begins with F#. What interval pattern is used to determine the remaining 6 sharps? Name the 7 sharps in order.
5th's: F# - C# - G# - D# - A# - E# - B#
Thursday, 11/17/11 (#45)
Identify the following bow markings and explain how they are performed:
down bow--pull the bow
up bow--push the bowWednesday, 11/16/11 (#44)
Compare accelerando (acc.) and rallentando (rall.)
Accelerando (acc.) means to gradually get faster and rallentando (rall.) means to gradually get slower.
Tuesday, 11/15/11 (#43)
What are enharmonic notes? Using your piano keyboard sheet, name the enharmonic notes for the following: C#, Ab, D#, Fb, B#.
Enharmonic notes are notes that sound the same but look different.
C#/Db, Ab/G#, D#/Eb, Fb/E, B#/C
Thursday, 11/10/11 (#42)
What is the meaning of Da Capo al Fine (D.C. al Fine)?
Da Capo (D.C.) means to go back to the beginning and repeat to Fine.
Wednesday, 11/9/11 (#41)
What is the meaning of Dal Segno (D.S.)?
Dal Segno (D.S.) means to go back to the sign and repeat
Tuesday, 11/8/11 (#40)
In Cut Time 
, how many beats are in a measure and what type of note gets one beat?
, how many beats are in a measure and what type of note gets one beat?
2 beats in a measure and a half note gets one beat.
Monday, 11/7/11 (#39) - review
In 6/8 time, how many beats are in a measure? What type of note gets one beat?
There are 6 beats in a measure. An eighth note ( 
) gets one beat.
) gets one beat.
Friday, 11/4/11 (#38)
Identify this symbol:
What does it mean?
Fermata. Hold a note longer than its actual value.
Thursday, 11/3/11 (#37)
What is an accidental?
An accidental is any sharp, flat or natural that is not included in the key signature of a piece of music.
Tuesday, 11/1/11 (#36)
What word do the first four flats in a key signature spell? Following that interval pattern, name the next 3 flats in order.
B - E - A - DG - C - F
OCTOBER
Monday, 10/31/11 (#35)
The order of sharps in a key signature begins with F#, C#, G#. Following that interval pattern, name the next 4 sharps in order.
D# - A# - E# - B#
Tuesday, 10/25/11 (#34)
Assume you are in a major key with sharps in the key signature. What trick can help you find the name of that key?
Look at the last sharp in the key signature and go up one half step for the name of the key.
Monday, 10/24/11 (#33)
What is a key signature? Where is it placed?
A key signature is the sharps or flats at the beginning of the staff that determine the key of a piece of music. It is placed between the clef and the time signature.
Thursday, 10/20/11 (#32)
If a song is written in 4/4 time, how many beats would each of these notes receive: quarter note, half note, eighth note, whole note?
Dotted Quarter note-1 1/2 beatsDotted Half note-3 beatsEighth note-1/2 beatWhole note-4 beats
Wednesday, 10/19/11 (#31)
In Common Time
how many beats are in a measure and what type of note gets 1 beat?
In Common Time, there are 4 beats in a measure and a quarter note gets 1 beat
Tuesday, 10/18/11 (#30)
Define the following tempo markings: Andante, Moderato, Allegro.
Andante-moderately slow; a walking tempoModerato-moderate (medium) tempoAllegro-brisk tempo; faster than Moderato, slower than Vivace.
Friday, 10/14/11 (#29)
If a song is written in 3/8 time, how many beats would each of the following notes receive: quarter note, eighth note, dotted quarter note?
Quarter note: 2 beatsEighth note: 1 beatDotted Quarter note: 3 beats
Thursday, 10/13/11 (#28)
Define rhythm
Rhythm is the combination of long and short notes and rests in music.
Wednesday, 10/12/11 (#27)
Explain each number in the following time signatures:
5 beats ins a measure; quarter note gets 1 beat
9 beats in a measure; eighth note gets 1 beat
3 beats in a measure; half note gets 1 beatTuesday, 10/11/11 (#26)
What are the set of numbers at the beginning of a piece of music called? Explain what each number means.
The set of numbers at the beginning of a piece of music is call the time signature. The top number of the time signature indicates the number of beats in each measure; the bottom number indicates what type of note gets 1 beat.
Monday, 10/10/11 (#25) - review
What are the correct steps for recording the daily bell ringers?
Friday, 10/7/11 (#24) - review
Name the clefs used in the piano grand staff.
treble clef: 
bass clef: 
bass clef: 
Thursday, 10/6/11 (#23)
Identify the following notes and draw the corresponding rests beside them:
Wednesday, 10/5/11 (#22)
What is a Grand Staff?
Tuesday, 10/4/11 (#21)
What are the 3 main clefs used by the stringed instruments of the orchestra? Name the clef that each instrument uses.
Treble clef-violin Alto clef-viola 
Bass clef-cello & bass
Alto clef-viola 
Bass clef-cello & bass Monday, 10/3/11 (#20)
Define clef.
A clef is a symbol at the beginning of each staff that designates the names of the lines and spaces.
SEPTEMBER
Friday, 9/30/11 (#19)
What is a crescendo? What is a decrescendo?
A crescendo is a dynamic mark that means to gradually play or sing louder.
A decrescedo is a dynamic mark that means to gradually play or sing softer.
Wednesday, 9/28/11 & Thursday, 9/29/11-no bell ringer
Tuesday, 9/27/11 (#18)
What are the 4 basic dynamics? Define them in Italian and English.
p piano-soft f forte-loud
mp mezzo piano-medium soft mf mezzo forte-medium loud
Monday, 9/26/11 (#17)
What are dynamics?
Dynamics are symbols in the music that indicate how loud or soft to sing/play.
Friday, 9/23/11 (#16) - REVIEW
Build the following major scales: F Major and A Major.
F Major: F - G - A - Bb - C - D - E - FA Major: A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G# - A
Thursday, 9/22/11 (#15)
What is the difference between the terms beat and tempo?
Beat is the steady pulse of the music
Tempo is how fast or slow to sing/play the music
Wednesday, 9/21/11 (#14)
Define measure.
A measure is the space between 2 barlines.
Tuesday, 9/20/11 (#13)
What is a barline?
A barline is the vertical line that separates measures.
Monday, 9/19/11 (#12)
What is the name given to the 5 lines and 4 spaces where music is written?
Staff
Friday, 9/16/11 (#11) - review
What is the difference between a whole step and a half step? Identify the following notes as either a whole step or a half step
A half step is from one key to the next on the piano.
A whole step is two half steps (keys) apart on the piano.
A-B E-F Ab-Bb C-Db B-C F#-G A#-B Bb-C
W H W H H H H H
Thursday, 9/15/11 (#10)
How do you draw a sharp, flat and natural sign? What do these symbols do to a note?
Sharp--raises the note a half step
Flat--lowers the note a half step
Natural
--cancels the sharp or flat
Wednesday, 9/14/11 (#9)
Identify the following intervals:
octave 3rd 5th 2nd 4th 6th 7th
Tuesday, 9/13/11 (#8)
What is an interval? Name the following intervals:
C-B=7th D-F#=3rd F-Bb=4th Ab-Eb=5th E-C=6th B-C#=2nd
Monday, 9/12/11 (#7)
What term is used to describe the distance between two notes?
Interval
Thursday, 9/8/11 & Friday, 9/9/11: School Cancelled
Wednesday, 9/7/11 (#6)
Using your piano keyboard sheet as a reference, build the following major scales: E and Bb major.
Bb Major: Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G – A – Bb
Tuesday, 9/6/11 (#5)
Using your piano keyboard sheet as a reference, what is the pattern of whole and half steps used to build a major scale?
W -W - H - W - W - W - H
Friday, 9/2/11 & Monday, 9/6/11: No school-vacation
Thursday, 9/1/11 (#4)
What is the difference between a half step and a whole step?
A half step is from one key to the next on the piano.
A whole step is two half steps (keys) apart on the piano.
AUGUST
Wednesday, 8/31/11 (#3)
How many white keys are there on a piano keyboard in the octave C-C? How many black keys are in that same octave?
There are 8 white keys and 5 black keys.
Tuesday, 8/30/11 (#2)
What is the purpose of our Bell Ringer Notebook?
The Bell Ringer Notebook is a personal study guide. It contains the element of music and music terminology that are necessary for us to play our music accurately and make us informed musicians.
Monday, 8/29/11 (#1)
What 5 things are necessary for you to have each day so that you are prepared for class?
I need my instrument, music folder, pencil, agenda and Bell Ringer notebook.