GRADE 4 MUSIC THEORY

Semibreve

A whole note, the longest note previously encountered in earlier music theory grades, written as an open note-head without a stem.

Breve

A double whole note that is twice as long as a semibreve, written like a semibreve with two short vertical lines on each side.

Dotted Note

A note that has a dot to the right of its head, increasing its length by 50%.

Double Dotted Note

A note that has two dots, increasing its length by 75%.

Chromatic Scale

A scale that uses all 12 different notes available in one octave, with each note a semitone apart.

Duplets

In compound time signatures, used when the composer wants to split the main dotted beat into two instead of three.

Triplets

When three notes are played in the space where there would normally be two notes.

Technical Names of Scale Degrees

Names given to each note of a scale from 1-7, including tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, and leading note.

Alto Clef

A type of C clef indicating where middle C is located on the stave, used for instruments like the viola.

Triads

Simple three-note chords built on degrees of the scale, used in harmony analysis.

Compound Time Signature

A time signature that features 6, 9, or 12 at the top, indicating beats that can be divided into smaller units.

Enharmonic Equivalent

Notes that are written differently but sound the same, such as F## and G.

Diatonic Scales

Scales that contain only 7 notes based on a key with a tonic keynote.

Ornaments

Symbols that instruct a player to change the written note, examples include trill and acciaccatura.

Rests

Silences in music that can also have varying lengths, including breve (double whole) rest.

Maxima

A longer note value that existed alongside the breve and longa in historical music.

Grade 4 Music Theory

A level of music theory that includes topics such as note values, scales, intervals, and triads.