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Contents: Start with Staffs
and Rhythm and ScalesIntervals
The distance between two notes is called an interval, To understand how intervals are named, let's look at the degrees (or numerical names) of the notes of the C major
scale,
Diatonic Intervals
Here are the intervals that correspond to the scale in C major. These are called diatonic intervals. Practice playing or singing these intervals until you are familiar with the name and characteristic sound of each one.
Mordents
The mordent symbol calls for the quick alternation of the written note with the note above it, as shown.
Chromatic Intervals
When a diatonic interval is made larger or smaller by an interval of a half step, a chromatic interval results, Let's take a look at the now familiar diatonic intervals and their corresponding lowered and raised chromatic intervals in sequence,
One interval that has not been featured in the preceding charts is the perfect unison, The perfect unison may be diminished and augmented like any other perfect interval,
Take the time to memorize the name and appearance of each of the chromatic intervals, Play (or sing and play) each interval backward and forward until you are familiar with its sound, You'll find that certain intervals-like the augmented second and minor third-sound exactly alike, Determine which other intervals sound alike, (These intervals occur in a predictable pattern,)
When naming a chromatic interval, first determine the name of its unaltered form (second, third, fourth, and so on), Then determine the chromatic interval's name by ascertaining whether the diatonic interval has been made larger or smaller by one haft-step (according to the major scale of the lower note),
Label each of these diatonic and chromatic intervals, Be sure to consider the clef and key signature of each,
It's easy to memorize intervals by associating them with familiar melodies, Here are some suggested melody phrases to use for this purpose, The indicated interval is shown in brackets, The common abbreviation for each interval is also included above the bracket,
The study and practice of intervals is central to a musician's ability to sightread written music, You may find it useful to study with a friend-and take turns playing, singing, and identifying intervals together,
Double Sharps and Double Flats
Though they rarely occur, you may come across a double sharp or double flat in written music, These accidentals are seldom necessary-and keys that may require their use are generally avoided, However, double sharps or double fiats are sometimes used to maintain a logical pattern of notes on the staff, A double sharp (x) raises the indicated note by two half-steps, If the note is already sharped in the key signature, or by a previous accidental in the same measure, the double sharp raises the pitch by one half-step only, In other words, a double sharp raises any note two half-steps from its natural position, Thus, Fx is another name for the G note,
An Fx note is used in the following example to pre\-serve the visual pattern of ascending thirds in the key of E major,
Contents: Start with Staffs
and Rhythm and Scales
