Embedded Files
Objectives
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Identify the pattern of whole and half steps in a major scale.
Write and sing a major scale beginning on any given note.
Write and ID the key signature for any given major key.
Preparation for Class
Preparation for Class
Read:
Read:
Building Major Scales (MT.net)
Explore: Check out the Interactive Key Tool on LightNote.
Watch
Watch
Major Scales (Brad Harrison, 7 mins)
Major Scales (Brad Harrison, 7 mins)
Key Signatures (Brad Harrison, 6 mins)
Key Signatures (Brad Harrison, 6 mins)
Practice
Practice
Musition: Scales (Lvl 1–2)
Musition: Key Signatures (Lvl 1–4)
Auralia: Scale Singing (Lvl 1a-c)
Quizlet Flashcards: Key Signature ID, Construction
MusicTheory.net: Scale Construction, Key Signature ID, Construction
Study Aids
Study Aids
Key Signatures for Major Keys
Key Signatures for Major Keys
Order of accidentals:
Order of accidentals:
Order of sharps: F, C, G, D, A, E, B (Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle)
Order of flats: B, E, A, D, G, C, F (Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charle's Father) (Or, the first 4 flats spell "bead")
In-Class Activities
In-Class Activities
Discussion
Discussion
The Order of Flats & Sharps: What are some good mnemonic devices for memorizing the order of flats and sharps. Share your ideas with the class. (e.g. for the order of sharps, you might remember: Fat Cats Go Down Alleyways Eating Birds).
Memorizing Keys: Share some of your tricks or come up with ideas as a group for identifying keys given a key signature or for remembering how many flats or sharps there are in a key. Two methods are provided as examples in the study aids above.
Activities
Activities
Write Major Scales: Practice writing major scales beginning on different starting notes using the major scale pattern of whole and half steps.
Worksheet 1, Worksheet 2 (part 1), Worksheet 3, Worksheet 4 (p. 2, Section 4)
Write or ID Key Signatures: Practice identifying and writing key signatures in different clefs.
Worksheet 1, Worksheet 2, Worksheet 3, Worksheet 4 (p. 2, Section 5)
Key Signature Speed Challenge: Race against your classmates to see who can get the highest score in each level before the timer runs up. Record the highest running scores on the board. Scores only count if you have 100% correct, so accuracy matters. If you miss a key, restart from the top! Work until your instructor yells stop.
Want to learn more?
Want to learn more?
Dr. Aniruddh Patel is a neuroscientist who studies music perception in the brain. In this video, he explores our perception of musical scales.
Aniruddh Patel: Human Scale Perception (7 mins) - Watch 22:15–29:50.
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