Music Fundamentals

We added this page for students wishing to review the fundamentals of music theory. It is useful for students preparing for Middle School Music Proficiencies, the Advanced Music Performance Entrance Exam, or simply anyone looking to hone their knowledgeable.

Treble (G) Clef Lines & Spaces

Bass (F) Clef Lines & Spaces

Reading the Grand Staff

Time Signatures

Understanding Time Signatures: The Top Number simply tells the number of beats in each measure. The Bottom Number always indicates which type of note will receive 1 beat each. For example: a bottom number of 4 (most common) indicates that the quarter-notes will receive 1 beat each. A bottom number of 2 means that the half-notes will get 1 beat each. An 8 means that the eighth-notes will get 1 beat each, a 16 indicates that the sixteenth-notes get 1 beat each, and so on.

Note & Rest Values

To Figure Dotted Note Values: A dot after a note will lengthen that note by 1/2 of that note's value. Example: a half note receives 2 beats, half of that is 1 beat, therefore a dotted half would receive 3 beats. (2+1=3)

Keys & Key Signatures

To Figure Flat Key: Identify the second to last flat from the right side of the key signature and that note is the key. (note: key of F Major has only 1 flat in its key signature)

To Figure Sharp Key: Identify the last sharp on the right side of the key signature and move up to the next line or space.

Major and Minor Scales

To Figure Relative Minor Scales: First identify the 6th note of your major scale then play an eight note scale using the same key signature as the major scale but begin on the 6th scale degree instead of the first. (example C Major = a minor) This will be the Natural Minor Scale.

Harmonic Minor Scales: Same as the natural minor scale except you raise the 7th scale degree 1/2 step both up and down the scale.

Melodic Minor Scales: Same as the natural minor scale except you raise the 6th & 7th scale degrees 1/2 step up the scale only; play the natural minor on the way down.

Triads and 7th Chords

To Figure Chords: A Major chord is made by playing the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes from a major scale. Other chord qualities are made by altering notes from the major triad. Minor chords lower the 3rd 1/2 step, Diminished chords lower both the 3rd and 5th, and Augmented chords raise the 5th 1/2 step. The 7th note of the major scale can also be added. A Dominant 7th is made by lowering the note 1/2 step and can be added to the major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords. The 7th can also be lowered two 1/2 steps and added to the diminished triad.

Intervals (Key of C Major)