BASIC THEORY ELEMENTS TO USE WITH STUDENTS
Some theory concepts or review:
Key signatures.
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THE ORDER OF SHARPS:
No sharps: C Major or its relative A minor F# - C# - G# - D# - A# - E# - B# How to find the key of the piece or the associated scale: 1 sharp: F# = G Major (or its relative E minor) 2 sharps: F#+C# = D Major (relative B minor) 3 sharps: F#+C#+G# = A Major (relative F# minor) 4 sharps: F#+C#+G#+D# = E Major (relative C# minor) 5 sharps: F#+C#+G#+D#+A# = B Major (relative G# minor) |
THE ORDER OF FLATS:
No flats: C Major or its relative A minor Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Cb - Fb How to find the key of the piece or the associated scale: 1 flat: Bb = F Major (or relative D minor) 2 flats: Bb+Eb = Bb Major (relative G minor) 3 flats: Bb+Eb+Ab = Eb Major (relative C minor) 4 flats: Bb+Eb+Ab+Db = Ab Major (relative F minor) 5 flats: Bb+Eb+Ab+Db+Gb = Db Major (relative Bb minor) |
How do you know if the key signature is the Major or the relative minor:
- Look at the final chord of the piece. What chord is it?
- Looking at the same chord, which is the lowest note played on the bass (LH lowest note)
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Introduction to intervals
Take as reference the C Major scale. Every interval in the C Major scale is either "Major" of "Perfect".
Before reviewing about the minor, augmented and diminished, you will practice Major and Perfect intervals from any key of the piano. Here is a visual keyboard to practice calculating intervals:
