Theory of Music

Fourth Grade (Lessons 6-7)

Semitone and Tone

A semitone is the distance from one key to the very next (black or white). A tone is the distance from one key to the next with a black or white key in between

Example of Tones and Semitones

Chromatic Semitone
A chromatic semitone is one in which both notes making the semitone have the same letter name. Example: CC sharp, E flat E, F sharpF

Diatonic Semitone
A diatonic semitone is one in which both notes making the semitone have different letter names. Example: DC sharp, EF, GA flat

Chromatic and Diatonic Semitone Summary

Types of Accidentals

Double Sharp and Double Flat

Double sharp raises a note by a tone. Double flat lowers a note by a tone.

Sharps, Flats & Naturals

DOUBLE SHARPS AND DOUBLE FLATS

Sharps, Flats & Naturals

Sharp raises a note by a semitone. Flat lowers a note by a semitone. Natural cancels a sharp or flat.

Augmented Intervals
Double sharps and double flats are often needed to make intervals larger or smaller. An augmented interval is one semitone larger than a major or perfect.

Augmented Intervals

Diminished Intervals
A diminished interval is one semitone smaller than a minor or perfect.

Augmented and Diminished Intervals Summary

Exercise 1
Write a diminished 5th above B flat in treble.

Exercise 2
Write a augmented 4th above F in treble.

Exercise 3
Write a diminished 6th above E in treble.

Exercise 4
Write a augmented 3rd above A flat in bass.

Exercise 5
Write a minor 7th above B in bass.

Exercise 6
Write a diminished 8ve above E in bass.

Exercise 7
Write a diminished 3rd above C in treble.

Exercise 8
Write a augmented 7th above A in treble.

Exercise 9
Write a diminished 5th above E flat in treble.

Exercise 10
Write a augmented 3rd above B in treble.

Inversion of Intervals
To invert an interval is to turn it upside down so that the top and bottom notes change places.

Intervals Inverted
Major intervals inverted become minor. Minor intervals inverted become major. Perfect intervals inverted remain perfect. Augmented intervals inverted become diminished. Diminished intervals inverted become augmented.

Exercise 1
A minor 6th inverted becomes what? A perfect 4th inverted becomes what? A major 2nd inverted becomes what? An augmented 5th inverted becomes what?

Exercise 2
Write a perfect 5th above G in treble followed by its inversion.

Exercise 3
Write a minor 3rd above E in treble followed by its inversion.

Exercise 4
Write a augmented 4th above A flat in treble followed by its inversion.

Exercise 5
Write a diminished 8ve above D in treble followed by its inversion.

Write V-I in C minor

Write IV-I in B flat major

Write II-V in G major

Write IV-V in D minor

Write VI-V in E major

Write V-VI in A flat major