#12 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY

Andrew Furmanczyk

5 Feb 201010:58

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video explains key signatures in music theory. It defines key signatures as symbols used to avoid repeatedly writing the same sharps or flats throughout a musical piece and shows how they indicate the key of the music. It teaches the order that sharps and flats are written in key signatures, using memory devices like 'Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle.' It provides examples of how to draw key signatures, walks through homework for further practice, and sets up the next video which will explain the Circle of Fifths showing all possible musical keys.

Takeaways

😀 A key signature indicates which notes should be sharp or flat by default in a piece of music
😊 The order of sharps is given by the mnemonic "Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle"
😃 The order of flats is the reverse: "Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father"
🤓 Key signatures make reading music easier by avoiding repetitive accidentals on every instance of a note
😎 The specific key signature helps narrow down what key a piece is likely in as well as its relative minor/major
🥳 It's important to memorize the orders of sharps and flats through repetitive writing and recitation
📝 Drawing key signatures repeatedly for treble and bass clefs will help memorization
👍 The circle of fifths in the next lesson shows all major/minor keys and their key signatures
🧐 Improper key signature order will likely result in music theory deductions
🤯 Memorize sharp and flat orders forwards and backwards for full mastery

Q & A

What is the purpose of a key signature?
-A key signature makes life easier by allowing you to avoid having to repeatedly draw in the same sharps or flats over and over again throughout a piece of music.
What two keys could this example be written in based on the key signature shown?
-The two possible keys this example could be written in are B minor and D major.
What saying helps you remember the order of sharps?
-The saying to remember the order of sharps is: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle.
How do you remember the order of flats?
-To remember the order of flats, say the sharps saying backwards: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father.
In what order should sharps and flats be written in a key signature?
-Sharps and flats in a key signature must be written in the proper order - Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle for sharps, and the reverse, Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father, for flats.
What should you do to practice drawing key signatures?
-You should repeatedly practice drawing key signatures, 15 times each for treble and bass clef with both sharps and flats, to memorize them.
Where is the key signature written on the staff?
-The key signature is written between the clef sign and the time signature on each staff line.
What will the next lesson cover regarding key signatures?
-The next lesson will cover the circle of fifths, which shows all of the scales and relates them to key signatures.
Why do proper rules for key signatures matter?
-Having proper rules for key signatures makes it easier to communicate musical ideas with other musicians by having a standard system.
What should you do if a written note differs from the key signature?
-If a written note differs from the key signature, the written note takes precedence over the key signature accidental.

Outlines

00:00

😌 Introducing Key Signatures

Paragraph 1 introduces key signatures, explaining that they indicate which notes should be played as sharps or flats throughout a piece of music to avoid repeatedly notating those accidentals. It provides an example key signature, explains what it signifies, and how to identify the key from the key signature.

05:01

😃 Memorizing the Order of Sharps and Flats

Paragraph 2 presents mnemonics for remembering the order of sharps (Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle) and flats (Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father) in key signatures. It explains the logic and gives tips for memorizing them.

10:01

👩‍🏫 Homework Assignments on Key Signatures

Paragraph 3 assigns homework to write out the order of sharps and flats 15 times each in treble and bass clefs to memorize them, and previews that the next lesson will cover the circle of fifths showing all scales.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡key signature

A key signature defines the key or scale that a piece of music is written in, which determines which notes are sharpened or flattened. It makes reading music easier by eliminating the need to indicate sharps and flats repeatedly. The teacher explains that key signatures are placed between the clef and time signature, and identify the key based on which notes are sharpened or flattened.

💡order of sharps and flats

This refers to the specific sequence in which sharps and flats are added in key signatures, following the circle of fifths. The teacher provides memory devices to learn this order - "Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle" for sharps, and reversing this for flats. Knowing this order allows you to properly construct key signatures.

💡circle of fifths

The circle of fifths shows the relationships between all the major and minor keys, displaying how many sharps or flats are in each key signature. It demonstrates the pattern of fifth intervals that keys follow around the chromatic scale. Understanding it allows you to deduce what key a piece with a particular key signature is likely in.

💡sharp

A sharp symbol raises a note by one semitone. Sharps are added to key signatures following the order of sharps, indicating that those notes are to be played one semitone higher whenever they occur. The teacher shows how sharps are added to the key signature based on this order.

💡flat

A flat symbol lowers a note by one semitone. Flats are added to key signatures following the order of flats, indicating that those notes are to be played one semitone lower whenever they occur. The teacher illustrates how flats are added to the key signature based on this order.

💡scale

A scale is a sequence of ascending or descending musical notes that provides the foundation for melody and harmony within a piece of music. Different keys have different scales, depending on which notes are sharpened or flattened. Understanding key signatures allows you to know which scale a piece uses.

💡clef

A clef sign assigns notes to lines and spaces on the musical staff. The teacher refers to both the treble clef and bass clef, indicating that key signatures and the order of sharps/flats applies to both clefs. Knowing the clef helps interpret where notes are located on the staff.

💡harmonic

Harmonic refers to chords, and harmonicprogressions between chords. Though not directly referenced, understanding key signatures, scales, and the circle of fifths allows you to deduce the chords and harmonic patterns that work well in different keys and scales.

💡chromatic scale

The chromatic scale includes all twelve notes of the Western musical scale, including all sharps and flats between each semitone. The circle of fifths demonstrates the key patterns around this full chromatic sequence of notes.

💡melody

A melody is a sequence of musical notes that form the tune or motif in a song or piece. Understanding key signatures and scales provides the foundation for constructing melodies that work harmonically in a given key.

Highlights

A key signature makes reading music easier by avoiding redundant accidentals

Key signatures go between the clef and time signature on a staff

The order of sharps is memorized using the phrase: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

The order of flats is the sharps phrase backwards: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father

Flats resemble the letter B, which helps remember Battle starts the flats order

Write out the sharp and flat orders 15 times each in treble and bass clef to memorize

Key signatures show all sharps or flats needed for a key, fewer as scales have fewer

Getting key signature order wrong fails proper music theory rules

The circle of fifths in next lesson shows all scales and relates to key signatures

Memorize the sharp and flat order phrases fluently both forwards and backwards

Key signatures immediately narrow down possible keys a piece is in

Write out key signature examples for visual memorization help

Saying sharp and flat orders daily trains your memory till they stick

Seeing this key signature means the piece is likely in D major

Learn this system well as it underpins much music theory ahead

Transcripts

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#12 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY

Takeaways

Q & A

What is the purpose of a key signature?

What two keys could this example be written in based on the key signature shown?

What saying helps you remember the order of sharps?

How do you remember the order of flats?

In what order should sharps and flats be written in a key signature?

What should you do to practice drawing key signatures?

Where is the key signature written on the staff?

What will the next lesson cover regarding key signatures?

Why do proper rules for key signatures matter?

What should you do if a written note differs from the key signature?