Grade 2 Music Theory - Major Keys & Scales

Music Matters

21 Apr 201423:24

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThe video explains major scales and keys for grade 2 music students. It reviews C, G, D and F major from grade 1, then introduces the new major keys of A, B-flat and E-flat. It demonstrates how to construct these scales using the tone/semitone pattern, identifying necessary sharps and flats. It shows how to write key signatures, triads and scales in treble and bass clefs. It explains how to identify the key of a piece of music by its use of particular sharps or flats. The goal is developing understanding of major scale construction and notation to play and analyze music in these keys.

Takeaways

😀 The lesson summarizes major scales and introduces 3 new major keys - A, Bb, and Eb
😊 To construct any major scale, follow the tone/semitone pattern: T-T-S-T-T-T-S
🧐 Alter notes with sharps/flats to fit the T-T-S pattern, changing the 2nd note of a pair
💡 The order of sharps is FCGDAEB, shown on the treble clef lines
👍🏻 The order of flats is BEADGCF, shown on the treble clef spaces
🎹 Use the keyboard to visualize tone/semitone patterns when constructing scales
🎼 Key signatures show sharps/flats for a particular key, e.g. 3 sharps for A major
📝 Write major triads using key signatures or by stacking thirds (1st-3rd-5th notes)
🔍 Identify key signatures by looking for sharps/flats in a piece of music
🎓 Relate sharps/flats in a piece to major key signatures to determine the key

Q & A

What are the new major keys explored in grade two?
-The new major keys explored in grade two are A major, B-flat major, and E-flat major.
What is the pattern used to construct major scales?
-The pattern used to construct major scales is: tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone.
How do you determine which sharps or flats are needed when constructing a major scale?
-You apply the tone/semitone pattern to the notes of the major scale, and modify the notes with sharps or flats as needed to fit the pattern, changing the higher note of each pair.
What are the three sharps needed for the A major scale and why?
-The three sharps needed for the A major scale are C-sharp, F-sharp, and G-sharp. They are needed to create the correct tone/semitone pattern in the scale.
What are the two flats needed for the B-flat major scale and why?
-The two flats needed for the B-flat major scale are B-flat and E-flat. They are needed to fit the tone/semitone pattern required for major scales.
What is the rule for writing key signatures?
-For key signatures with sharps, start on the top line and follow the pattern: up a line, down a line, repeat. For flats, start on the second line from top and follow: down a line, up a line, repeat.
How can you identify the key of a piece of music?
-You can identify the key of a piece of music by looking at the key signature, or by identifying any accidentals used repeatedly throughout the piece to see which major scale they match.
How do you construct a tonic triad?
-To construct a tonic triad, write the tonic note (key note), then write the third and fifth notes above it. For example, the A major triad is A, C-sharp, E.
Why do triads use notes on adjacent lines or adjacent spaces?
-Triads use notes on adjacent lines or adjacent spaces because this creates clear visual harmony and ease of reading the music.
What is the difference between writing a scale ascending versus descending?
-When writing a scale descending, you still determine the pattern of tones and semitones working from the bottom note up. You just apply the accidentals working from top note down rather than bottom note up.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction

The instructor recaps the major scales and keys learned in lesson 5 of grade 1 - C major, G major, D major and F major. The new major keys to be explored in grade 2 are introduced - A major, B-flat major and E-flat major.

05:02

😃 Constructing the A Major Scale

The instructor demonstrates how to construct the A major scale using the tone/semitone pattern. Sharps are added as needed to create the correct intervals between notes - C-sharp, F-sharp and G-sharp.

10:03

😊 Building the B-flat Major Scale

The B-flat major scale is constructed in the bass clef using the tone/semitone pattern. The required flats are added - B-flat and E-flat to create the proper intervals.

15:07

🙂 Creating the E-flat Major Scale

The E-flat major scale is built in the treble clef following the tone/semitone pattern. The necessary flats are included - B-flat, E-flat and A-flat to achieve the right intervals.

20:10

😉 Writing Scales Descending

The instructor demonstrates how to write a descending scale, using A major as an example. The process is the same as ascending, working from the bottom note up.

🧐 Key Signatures

The key signatures for the new major keys are explained - the order sharps and flats are added, their placement on treble and bass clef staves. Writing scales using key signatures is also covered.

🤓 Triads

Constructing tonic triads for the new keys is reviewed. Identifying keys by looking at the accidentals in sheet music is also mentioned.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Major scales

Major scales are sequences of notes with a specific pattern of tones (whole steps) and semitones (half steps) that create a distinctive sound characteristic of much Western music. In the script, major scales are foundational to understanding key signatures and constructing music in different keys. The pattern mentioned is tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone, which is applied to create scales in keys like A major, B-flat major, and E-flat major.

💡Key signatures

Key signatures are notations placed at the beginning of a piece of music indicating the key of the piece by specifying which notes are to be played sharp or flat throughout. The script explains how key signatures for A major, B-flat major, and E-flat major are determined based on the sharps or flats needed to maintain the major scale pattern. This concept is crucial for reading and writing music, as it sets the tonal foundation for a composition.

💡Tone and semitone

A tone (whole step) and a semitone (half step) are intervals between notes. A tone is the distance between two notes separated by one other note, while a semitone is the distance between two adjacent notes with no notes in between. The script emphasizes the importance of understanding these intervals for constructing major scales, where a specific pattern of tones and semitones is followed.

💡Sharps and flats

Sharps (#) and flats (b) are symbols used in music notation to indicate that a note should be raised (sharp) or lowered (flat) by a semitone. The script details how these are applied in constructing scales for A major, B-flat major, and E-flat major, ensuring the correct pattern of tones and semitones is achieved. For example, A major requires C#, F#, and G# to adhere to the major scale pattern.

💡Clefs

Clefs are symbols at the beginning of the stave (staff) indicating the pitch range in which the music is written. The script mentions treble and bass clefs, which are used to notate music for higher and lower pitch ranges, respectively. For instance, A major is explored using the treble clef, while B-flat major is discussed in the context of the bass clef, showing how clefs influence where notes are placed on the staff.

💡Stave (Staff)

The stave (or staff) is a set of five horizontal lines and four spaces that represent different musical pitches. In the script, the stave serves as the canvas on which scales are constructed, demonstrating where notes, sharps, and flats are placed. The selection of starting points for scales on the stave, such as which A or B to start on, impacts the notation and readability of the scale.

💡Aeolian Mode

The Aeolian Mode is a musical mode that corresponds to the natural minor scale, starting on the sixth degree of a major scale. The script briefly mentions it when discussing playing the scale of A without any sharps, illustrating a different sound quality and scale pattern compared to the major scale. This comparison highlights the unique characteristics and applications of different scales and modes in music.

💡Tonic triad

A tonic triad is a set of three notes consisting of the tonic (first note of the scale), the third, and the fifth, forming the most basic and stable chord in a key. The script discusses constructing tonic triads for A major, B-flat major, and E-flat major, using either the key signature or by placing accidentals directly before the notes. This concept is fundamental in harmony and chord progression within a key.

💡Accidentals

Accidentals are symbols such as sharps, flats, and naturals that indicate the alteration of the pitch of a note from its natural state. The script explains the process of adding sharps or flats to notes in the scale of A major, for instance, to achieve the desired pattern of tones and semitones. This demonstrates the role of accidentals in adjusting pitches to conform to specific scales and keys.

💡Constructing scales

Constructing scales involves determining the sequence of notes that fit a particular scale pattern, including the use of sharps and flats to achieve the correct intervals of tones and semitones. The script provides a detailed walkthrough of constructing scales for A major, B-flat major, and E-flat major, showcasing the practical application of theory to create the foundational elements of music composition and understanding.

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Transcripts

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