Music Theory.Net Basics

Flashcards based on music theory lecture notes.

The foundation where notes are found, consisting of 5 lines and 4 spaces.

Staff

Symbols that assign meaning to the lines and spaces of the staff.

Clefs

Treble and Bass

Two main types of clefs

Short lines that extend the staff when more range is needed.

Ledger Lines

Another name for the Treble Clef because it wraps around the staff line representing the note G.

G Clef

Another name for the Bass Clef, identified by the line between the two dots, which is the note F.

F Clef

A theoretical staff consisting of eleven lines, combining the Treble and Bass Clefs.

Grand Staff

The 'Middle C,' where the Treble and Bass Clefs are joined on the Grand Staff.

C (in red on the Grand Staff)

The length of time a note is played.

Note Duration

The longest note duration in modern music.

Whole Note

Half the value of a whole note.

Half Note

One-fourth the value of a whole note.

Quarter Note

Notes with smaller durations; each flag halves the value of the note.

Notes with Flags

A note with one flag; two eighth notes equal a quarter note.

Eighth Note

A note with two flags; two sixteenth notes equal an eighth note.

Sixteenth Note

Vertical black bars that divide the staff into measures.

Bar Lines

Indicates the amount and type of notes each measure contains.

Time Signature

Four beats per measure, containing four quarter notes.

4/4 Time Signature

Three beats per measure, containing three quarter notes.

3/4 Time Signature

Six eighth notes per measure.

6/8 Time Signature

Three half notes per measure.

3/2 Time Signature

Periods of silence in a measure.

Rests

Same duration as a quarter note, but silent.

Quarter Rest

Same duration as a whole note, but silent.

Whole Rest

Same duration as a half note, but silent.

Half Rest

Same duration as an eighth note, but silent.

Eighth Rest

Same duration as a sixteenth note, but silent.

Sixteenth Rest

Markings used to alter a note's duration, including Dots and Ties.

Augmentation

Increases a note's duration by one half of its original value.

Dot (following a note)

Merges multiple notes of the same pitch and rhythm.

Ties

Aka Semitone; there is no key in between.

Half Step

Aka Whole Tone or Tone; there is 1 key in between.

Whole Step

A sign used to raise or lower a pitch.

Accidental

Raises a note's pitch.

Sharp

Lowers a note's pitch.

Flat

When a certain pitch has multiple names.

Enharmonic Spelling

Cancels out any accidental, returning the note to its original key.

Natural