Music Theory Concepts and Terminology

What is a Key Signature?

• A set of notes that defines the melody of a piece of music.

• A set of sharps (#) or flats (b) at the beginning of a piece of music that indicates which notes are consistently altered.

• A musical term that refers to the tempo of a piece.

• A notation that indicates the dynamics of a piece of music.

Major Key Progression: I - V - vi - IV (Name the letter names)

• C - G - Am - F

• D - A - Bm - G

• E - B - C#m - A

• F - C - Dm - Bb

How to Determine a Sharp Key

• The last sharp in the key signature is the leading tone, and the major key is one half step above this sharp.

• The last sharp in the key signature is the tonic, and the major key is one whole step above this sharp.

• The last sharp in the key signature is the subdominant, and the major key is two whole steps above this sharp.

• The last sharp in the key signature is the mediant, and the major key is one whole step below this sharp.

What note is the lowest in a Second Inversion Chord?

• Root is the lowest note.

• Third is the lowest note.

• Fifth is the lowest note.

• Seventh is the lowest note.

What note is the lowest note in a First Inversion chord?

• Root

• Fifth

• Third

• Seventh

What is a Chord?

• A single note played in isolation.

• A combination of three or more notes played together.

• A sequence of notes played one after another.

• A type of musical instrument.

Major Key Progression: I - IV - V - I. Name an example of the chords (letter name)

• C - F - G - C

• D - G - A - D

• E - A - B - E

• F - B♭ - C - F

Which keys have no sharps or flats?

• C major and A minor

• G major and E minor

• D major and B minor

• F major and D minor

How to Determine a Flat Key

• The last flat is the name of the key.

• The second-to-last flat is the name of the key.

• The first flat is the name of the key.

• The third flat is the name of the key.

What note is the lowest in Root Position?

• Root is the lowest note.

• Fifth is the lowest note.

• Third is the lowest note.

• Seventh is the lowest note.