Music Theory: Key Signatures and Intervals

Key Signatures

• A key signature is a set of sharps (#) or flats (b) that appear at the beginning of a staff to indicate the key of a piece *Sharp (#) raises the pitch of a note, while flat (b) lowers the pitch
• Key signatures can have up to 7 sharps or 7 flats
• The key signature determines the tonality of a piece (major or minor)

Intervals

• An interval is the distance between two pitches
• Intervals can be described in terms of quality (major, minor, perfect, diminished, augmented) and size (number of half-steps)
• Intervals can be classified as:
  • Harmonic: occurring simultaneously
  • Melodic: occurring in succession
• Intervals can be inverted by switching the order of the pitches

Scales

• A scale is a series of pitches in a specific pattern of whole and half-steps
• Major scales follow a specific pattern: W-W-H-W-W-W-H (whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half)
• Minor scales have three forms: natural, harmonic, and melodic
• Scales can be used to create melodies, harmonies, and chord progressions

Chord Progressions

• A chord progression is a series of chords played in a specific order
• Chord progressions can be used to create harmony and structure in music
• Chord progressions can be classified into different types, such as:
  • Tonic-dominant: moving from the tonic chord to the dominant chord
  • Circle progression: moving in a circular pattern through the keys
  • Resolution: moving from a dissonant chord to a consonant chord

Harmonic Analysis

• Harmonic analysis is the process of examining the harmony of a piece to understand its structure and function
• Harmonic analysis involves identifying:
  • Chord progressions
  • Key centers
  • Functional harmony (tonic, dominant, subdominant)
• Harmonic analysis can be used to:
  • Understand the composer's intent
  • Identify patterns and motifs
  • Inform performance and interpretation

Key Signatures

• A key signature is a set of sharps (#) or flats (b) that appear at the beginning of a staff to indicate the key of a piece.
• Sharp (#) raises the pitch of a note, while flat (b) lowers the pitch.
• Key signatures can have up to 7 sharps or 7 flats.
• The key signature determines the tonality of a piece (major or minor).

Intervals

• An interval is the distance between two pitches.
• Intervals can be described in terms of quality (major, minor, perfect, diminished, augmented) and size (number of half-steps).
• Intervals can be classified as harmonic (occurring simultaneously) or melodic (occurring in succession).
• Intervals can be inverted by switching the order of the pitches.

Scales

• A scale is a series of pitches in a specific pattern of whole and half-steps.
• Major scales follow a specific pattern: W-W-H-W-W-W-H (whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half).
• Minor scales have three forms: natural, harmonic, and melodic.
• Scales can be used to create melodies, harmonies, and chord progressions.

Chord Progressions

• A chord progression is a series of chords played in a specific order.
• Chord progressions can be used to create harmony and structure in music.
• Types of chord progressions include:
• Tonic-dominant: moving from the tonic chord to the dominant chord.
• Circle progression: moving in a circular pattern through the keys.
• Resolution: moving from a dissonant chord to a consonant chord.

Harmonic Analysis

• Harmonic analysis is the process of examining the harmony of a piece to understand its structure and function.
• Harmonic analysis involves identifying:
• Chord progressions.
• Key centers.
• Functional harmony (tonic, dominant, subdominant).
• Harmonic analysis can be used to:
• Understand the composer's intent.
• Identify patterns and motifs.
• Inform performance and interpretation.