Music Theory Fundamentals and Notation

Fundamentals of Music Theory

• Definition: Music is the art of organized sound in time.

• The Staff: Consists of 5 lines and 4 spaces. Notes outside the staff use ledger lines.

• Clefs:

  • Treble Clef: Also known as the "G Clef."

  • Bass Clef: Also known as the "F Clef."

  • Alto Clef: Also known as the "C Clef."

• Symbols:

  • Barline: Divides measures.

  • Double Bar Line: Indicates the end or "fine."

  • Fermata: Indicates a "hold" or "pause."

Rhythm and Time Signatures

• Rhythm Pyramid:

  • Whole note: 4 beats.

  • Half note: 2 beats.

  • Quarter note: 1 beat.

  • Eighth note: $\frac{1}{2}$ beat.

  • 16th note: $\frac{1}{4}$ beat.

• Time Signatures:

  • Top number indicates how many beats per measure; bottom number indicates what note gets the beat.

  • $\frac{4}{4}$: 4 beats per measure; Quarter note gets the beat.

  • $\frac{6}{8}$: 6 beats per measure; Eighth note gets the beat.

Dynamics and Articulations

• Dynamics (Volume):

  • $ppp$: Pianissimo (very soft).

  • $mp$ / $mf$: Mezzo piano / Mezzo forte (medium soft/strong).

  • $ff$: Fortissimo (very strong).

  • $sfz$: Sforzando piano.

  • Crescendo: Gradually increase volume.

  • Decrescendo / Diminuendo (dim.): Gradually decrease volume.

• Articulations:

  • Staccato: Detached.

  • Accent: Strong tone front.

  • Marcato: "Marked."

  • Slur: Connected; no rearticulation in one bow movement.

Tempo and BPM

• Tempo Markings:

  • Lento / Adagio: Slow speeds.

  • Andante: Walking pace.

  • Moderato: Moderately.

  • Allegro / Presto: Fast to exceptionally fast.

• Adjustments: Ritardando (rit.) to slow down; Accelerando (accel.) to speed up.

• BPM: Beats per minute (e.g., $120\,\text{BPM}$ is a march tempo).

Scales, Intervals, and Chords

• Accidentals:

  • Sharp ($\#$): Up $\frac{1}{2}$ step.

  • Flat ($\flat$): Down $\frac{1}{2}$ step.

  • Natural ($\natural$): Cancels a sharp or flat.

• Scales: Major scales contain 8 notes; Chromatic scales contain 12 notes.

• Intervals: The space between two notes ($M2, M3, P4, P5, M6, M7, P8/\text{octave}$).

• Chords:

  • Major chord: Built with a Major 3rd ($M3$: 4 half steps) + minor 3rd ($m3$).

  • Minor chord: Built with a minor 3rd ($m3$: 3 half steps) + Major 3rd ($M3$).

  • Diminished chord: Two stacked minor 3rds.

• Roman Numerals: Used to help use the same symbols across various keys (e.g., $I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii^{\circ}$).

Solfege and Vocalization

• Solfege: A mnemonic system from the 11th Century used for sight-singing.

  • Major Scale: Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do.

  • Minor Scale: Do Re Me Fa Sol Le Te Do (lowered 3rd, 6th, and 7th).

• Vowels: Ah, eh, ee, oh, oo.

• Diphthongs: Combined vowel sounds like "I" (Ah and E). In singing, emphasize the "Ah."

Questions & Discussion

• Note from Instructor: "Howdy Everyone! You only get one side of your paper to use for notes. You must decide what is absolutely necessary to jot down. Trust your brain!!"