Tones, Semitones, Accidentals, Scales Flashcards
What is a tie?
A tie is a curved line that connects note heads of the same pitch turning the notes into a single sound.
What are tones and semitones?
Tones are a ‘full step’ across a black note to the next white note. Semitones are a ‘half step’ from a white note to another white note. E-F and B-C are the two semitones.
What is a scale? What is a major scale?
A scale is a set of notes that go up or down in order. A Major Scale is made with steps in the pattern:
Tone - Tone - Semitone - Tone - Tone - Tone - Semitone
What are the degrees of the scale from 1st to 8th?
Tonic - Supertonic - Mediant - Subdominant - Dominant - Submediant - Leading Note - Tonic
What are accidentals?
Accidentals are symbols written before notes on the score to raise or lower a note by a semitone called a sharp or flat respectively. They apply to notes of the same pitch and bar. The third accidental is a natural which removes the effect of the sharp or flat. Although rarer, double sharps and flats use a tone.
What are enharmonic equivalents?
Enharmonic Equivalents are notes that are equivalent to each other. E flat is the same as a D sharp. An E sharp is the same as an F. B natural is the same as B.
