Course links
Day One
Italian words –
Technical names of notes –
There are seven notes in a scale. Each note can be identified by a technical name:
- TONIC
- SUPERTONIC
- MEDIANT
- SUBDOMINANT
- DOMINANT
- SUBMEDIANT
- LEADING NOTE
Clefs
You need to know four clefs for the test:
- TREBLE CLEF
- ALTO CLEF
- TENOR CLEF
- BASS CLEF
The treble and bass clefs are by far the most widely used. The alto clef is used only by the viola. The tenor clef is used (as well as the bass clef) by the cello, bassoon and the trombone, when they need to avoid switching repeatedly between the bass and treble clef.
Chord descriptions –
In Grade 5 Theory, you only have to recognise chords I, II, IV and V.
When the root is the lowest note, the chord is in root position.
Chords can also be inverted (re-ordered).
When a chord is “inverted” the position of the notes is changed around so that the lowest note of the chord is the third or the fifth, rather than the root. We use a lower-case “a” to signify root position, “b” for first inversion (the 3rd is the bottom note) and “c” for second inversion (the 5th is the bottom note).
We use the letters a, b and c (written in lower case letters) to describe the lowest note of a chord.
SO –
When the chord is in root position (hasn’t been inverted), we use the letter a.
When the lowest note is the third, (e.g. E in C major), we use the letter b. This is also called first inversion.
When the lowest note is the fifth, (e.g. G in C major), we use the letter c. This is also called second inversion.
Here is chord I in C major, in its three possible positions:
Day Two
Compound time signatures –
Intervals –
Breves –
A comprehensive guide to breves – and double dots
Instruments of the Orchestra –
Guide from the Philharmonia Orchestra
Voice Parts –
French Words –
List
Day Three
Major Scales –
Chromatic Scales –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgVkfogHzFc
Beaming Notes –
Transposition –
Make sure you watch all three videos in the series!
German Words –
Day Four
Cadences –
Minor Scales – Harmonic and Melodic –
Start this video at about 1:39… https://youtu.be/QNfUiAnTeCo?t=99