Music Theory: The Master Key

Major Scale - Formula

W - W - H - W - W - W - H (Whole/Half steps)

Major Scale - Degrees

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7

Natural Minor Scale - Formula

W - H - W - W - H - W - W

Natural Minor Scale - Relation

Derived from the Major Scale starting on the 6th degree.

Harmonic Minor - Alteration

Natural Minor with a raised 7th degree.

Melodic Minor - Alteration

Raised 6th and 7th ascending; Natural Minor descending.

Chromatic Scale - Definition

Scale consisting entirely of semitones (12 notes).

Perfect Unison - Interval

0 semitones (Same note)

Minor Second - Interval

1 semitone (Jaws theme)

Major Second - Interval

2 semitones (Happy Birthday start)

Minor Third - Interval

3 semitones (Sad/Somber)

Major Third - Interval

4 semitones (Bright/Happy)

Perfect Fourth - Interval

5 semitones (Here Comes the Bride)

Tritone - Interval

6 semitones (The Devil's Interval / Simpsons theme)

Perfect Fifth - Interval

7 semitones (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star / Star Wars)

Minor Sixth - Interval

8 semitones

Major Sixth - Interval

9 semitones (NBC Chimes)

Minor Seventh - Interval

10 semitones

Major Seventh - Interval

11 semitones (Take on Me - high note)

Octave - Interval

12 semitones (Somewhere Over the Rainbow)

Ionian - Mode

1st Mode (Major Scale). Bright, happy, resolved.

Dorian - Mode

2nd Mode (Minor with raised 6th). Jazzy, soulful. (Santana)

Phrygian - Mode

3rd Mode (Minor with flat 2nd). Spanish, metal, exotic.

Lydian - Mode

4th Mode (Major with raised 4th). Dreamy, floating, sci-fi. (Simpsons)

Mixolydian - Mode

5th Mode (Major with flat 7th). Bluesy, rock, unresolved.

Aeolian - Mode

6th Mode (Natural Minor). Sad, dark, emotional.

Locrian - Mode

7th Mode (Diminished). Unstable, tense, rarely used.

Major Triad - Chord Formula

1 - 3 - 5

Minor Triad - Chord Formula

1 - b3 - 5

Diminished Triad - Chord Formula

1 - b3 - b5

Augmented Triad - Chord Formula

1 - 3 - #5

Major 7th Chord - Formula

1 - 3 - 5 - 7 (Jazz/Dreamy)

Dominant 7th Chord - Formula

1 - 3 - 5 - b7 (Blues/Tension)

Minor 7th Chord - Formula

1 - b3 - 5 - b7 (Mellow)

Circle of Fifths - Concept

Visual representation of the relationships between the 12 tones of the chromatic scale.

Sharp Order - Mnemonic

Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle (FCGDAEB)

Flat Order - Mnemonic

Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles' Father (BEADGCF)

Time Signature (Top Number)

How many beats are in a measure.

Time Signature (Bottom Number)

Which note value gets the beat.

4/4 Time - Common Name

Common Time

3/4 Time - Feel

Waltz feel (ONE-two-three).

6/8 Time - Feel

Compound meter (ONE-two-three-FOUR-five-six).

Tempo - Definition

The speed of the beat (BPM).

Largo - Tempo

Very slow and broad (40-60 bpm).

Adagio - Tempo

Slow with great expression (66-76 bpm).

Andante - Tempo

Walking pace (76-108 bpm).

Allegro - Tempo

Fast, quick, and bright (120-156 bpm).

Presto - Tempo

Very, very fast (168-200 bpm).

Crescendo - Dynamic

Gradually getting louder.

Decrescendo - Dynamic

Gradually getting softer.

Forte - Dynamic

Loud.

Piano - Dynamic

Soft.