#8 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY

Andrew Furmanczyk

9 Feb 201023:02

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this lesson on music theory, the concept of semitones and whole tones is introduced. A semitone represents the smallest interval between two notes, while two semitones make up one whole tone. Sharps, flats, and naturals are then explained as they relate to semitones - sharps raise a note one semitone, flats lower a note one semitone, and naturals cancel previous sharps/flats. Practical demonstrations show semitones on piano and other instruments. The homework involves drawing sharps, flats, and naturals accurately on sheet music to memorize these concepts.

Takeaways

😀 A semitone is the smallest musical interval in Western music; the closest two notes can be to each other
😉 A whole tone consists of two semitones put together
🎵 Sharps raise a note by a semitone; flats lower a note by a semitone
♩ Naturals cancel any previous sharps or flats applied to a note
🎹 Accidentals like sharps, flats and naturals last for one measure/bar
📝 Homework is to draw 20 sharps, 20 flats and 20 naturals on sheet music
🎼 Understanding semitones/whole tones is fundamental to scales, chords etc.
🎹 Even a little piano knowledge helps visualize music theory concepts
🌟 Semitones and whole tones apply to all instruments, not just piano
🎵 Tricky exam questions often involve duration of accidentals over measures

Q & A

What are the two closest notes called that can be played together in Western music?
-The two closest notes that can be played together in Western music are called a semitone.
What is a whole tone equal to in terms of semitones?
-A whole tone is equal to two semitones.
What does a sharp do to a note?
-A sharp raises a note by one semitone.
What does a flat do to a note?
-A flat lowers a note by one semitone.
What does a natural sign do?
-A natural sign cancels any previous sharp or flat on a note.
How long do accidentals last for?
-Accidentals (sharps, flats and naturals) last for one measure before being cancelled.
Why is it useful to visualize notes on a keyboard when learning music theory?
-Visualizing notes on a keyboard helps give a sense of the intervals between notes like semitones and whole tones when learning concepts in music theory.
What is the homework assignment at the end of the lesson?
-The homework is to draw 20 sharps, 20 flats, and 20 naturals on sheet music - 10 on lines and 10 on spaces.
What should you memorize from this lesson?
-You should memorize what a semitone and whole tone are, what sharps, flats, and naturals do to notes, and that accidentals last for one measure/bar.
Why is it important to draw accidentals clearly on sheet music?
-Drawing accidentals clearly is important so there is no ambiguity about what note you intend, otherwise you may lose marks on music theory exams.

Outlines

00:00

😃 Introducing semitones, sharps, flats and naturals

The lesson will provide a basic introduction to semitones and whole tones. It will then explain sharps, flats, and naturals, which relate to semitones. Finally it will demonstrate semitones on piano, ocarina, and violin.

05:00

🎹 Drawing a keyboard diagram

Instructions are provided on how to draw a keyboard diagram with groups of 2 and 3 lines to represent keys. This will be a useful visual aid when working with music theory and exams.

10:02

🎻 Demonstrating semitones on instruments

Semitones and whole tones are demonstrated on piano, ocarina, and violin. The concepts apply universally across instruments. Learning some piano will help visualize music theory.

15:04

♯♭♮ Explaining sharps, flats and naturals

Sharps raise a note one semitone, flats lower it one semitone. Naturals cancel sharps/flats. Accidentals apply for one bar then cancel. Instructions provided for drawing sharps, flats and naturals on staff paper.

20:06

📝 Homework on drawing sharps, flats and naturals

The homework is to draw 20 sharps, 20 flats, and 20 naturals clearly on staff paper - 10 on lines and 10 on spaces. Also to memorize what semitones, whole tones, sharps, flats, and naturals are.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡semitone

A semitone is the smallest musical interval in Western music. It refers to two notes that are very close in pitch or frequency. The video explains that a semitone is the closest two notes can be together in mainstream music. For example, on a piano keyboard, a semitone is moving from one key to the very next key, which creates a very small change in pitch.

💡whole tone

A whole tone is made up of two semitones. So if a semitone is the smallest musical interval, a whole tone is the interval created by two semitones. On a piano, playing two keys with one key skipped in between creates a whole tone interval and a slightly bigger change in pitch compared to a semitone.

💡sharp

A sharp symbol raises the pitch of a note by one semitone. So if you have a C note and add a sharp, it becomes C sharp which is one semitone higher in pitch. The video explains that sharps raise the pitch up by one semitone.

💡flat

A flat symbol lowers the pitch of a note by one semitone. So if you have a D note and add a flat, it becomes D flat which is one semitone lower in pitch. The video says flats lower the pitch by one semitone.

💡natural

A natural symbol cancels a previous sharp or flat symbol. So if you have a C sharp note followed by a natural, it turns back into a regular C note. The natural cancels out the sharp or flat.

💡accidental

Sharps, flats, and naturals are together called accidentals in music notation. Accidentals apply throughout a measure of music until canceled by a natural or the end of the measure.

💡interval

An interval refers to the difference in pitch between two musical notes. The size of an interval is measured by the number of semitones it contains. So a semitone is the smallest type of interval.

💡pitch

Pitch refers to how high or low a musical note sounds. Higher pitch notes vibrate more quickly while lower pitches vibrate more slowly. Pitches can be manipulated by accidentals like sharps and flats.

💡frequency

The frequency of a sound wave refers to how quickly it vibrates per second. Musical pitches with higher frequencies vibrate more rapidly while lower frequencies vibrate more slowly. Semitone intervals represent very small changes in vibration frequency.

💡measure

A measure is a segment of written music contained within bar lines. Accidentals like sharps and flats apply through an entire measure before being canceled at the bar line.

Highlights

A semitone is the closest two notes can be together in western music.

A whole tone is two semitones combined.

It's important to understand semitones since they are the foundation of scales, chords and music.

A sharp raises a note by one semitone.

A flat lowers a note by one semitone.

A natural cancels a previous sharp or flat.

Sharps, flats and naturals are called accidentals.

Accidentals only last for one measure.

Seeing notes visually on a keyboard helps understand theory.

Semitones and whole tones apply to all instruments, not just piano.

On guitar, frets are semitones and skipping frets are whole tones.

Violin fingers side-by-side are semitones, spaced apart are whole tones.

Sharps go up a semitone, flats go down a semitone.

Draw accidentals cleanly on the line or space of the note.

Memorize what semitones, whole tones, sharps, flats and naturals are.

Transcripts

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