KEYS &
TONALITY
CSEC CXC Music Class
Major
Keys
Tetrachord
A Tetrachord is 4 notes in alphabetical order separated by the pattern Tone Tone Semitone
Major
Scale
A Major scale is 8 notes in alphabetical order. Essentially, it is 2 tetrachord joined together by a
TONE.
Key Signature
Key Signatures are Sharps (or Flats) placed after the Clef (before the Time Signature).
This shows what Sharps (or Flats) that will appear in the music.
Order of
Sharps
Sharps appear in a particular order. When a Key Signature has a certain amount of Sharps
in it, using the Order of Sharps, one can deduce what sharps are in the Key.
F C G D A E B
Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Order of Flats
Flats appear in a particular order. When a Key Signature has a certain amount of Flats in
it, using the Order of Flats, one can deduce what sharps are in the Key.
B E A D G C F
Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Circle of 5ths
Minor
Keys
Relative Minor
Each Major Key has a Relative Minor Key. The relative minor to a given major key has
exactly the same sharps or flats in its key signature as the major key does.
Natural Minor
Natural Minor Keys begin on the 6th Degree of the Relative Major Scale. They take on
the Key Signature of the Relative Major.
Harmonic Minor
Harmonic Minors are Natural Minor Scales with the 7th degree raised by a half step
(semitone) both ascending and descending.
7th raised
Melodic Minor
Melodic Minors are Natural Minor Scales with the 6th & 7th degree raised by a half step
(semitone) ascending only. When descending, the 6th & 7th degree revert back to the
Natural Minor.
Modulatio
n
What is Modulation?
Modulation means moving from one key to another. This can be done by either changing
the music’s Key Signature, or by adding accidentals to indicate that the music has moved
to a different key.
Modulating from Major to Minor
When changing Key Signature, a double bar line is usually used followed by the new Key Signature.
The example below shows a modulation from A major to A
minor.
Modulating from Minor to
Major
The example below shows a modulation from F minor to F major.
Modulating from Major I-V (1 to 5)
Modulations can also be done by by using accidentals to indicate a new key.
This melody moves from G major to the key a fifth higher (D major) or the Dominant.
Transposin
g
What is Transposition?
Transposition means writing the same music up or down a given interval and in a
different key. This is very important for transposing instruments.
Transposing Instruments
Transposing instruments are instruments that when their respective note is played, they
actually sound at a higher (or lower pitch) than is actually scored. These instruments are
usually scored in B♭, E♭, & F.
As a result, when a “Concert Pitch” instrument plays a Middle C, a transposing
instrument like the clarinet would play a “D.” Or, if a Concert Pitch Instrument plays a
“B♭, then a transposing Instrument like the clarinet would play a “C”. As a result, the
clarinet would be called a “ B ♭ Instrument.”
Transposing Instruments - B♭
Instruments
B♭ Instruments
These include: Clarinet (Soprano & Bass), Saxophone (Soprano & Tenor), Trumpet, & Flugelhorn.
Transposing Instruments - E♭
Instruments
E♭ Instruments
These include: Clarinet (Alto), Saxophone (Alto & Baritone), Trumpet, & Flugelhorn.
Transposing Instruments - F
Instruments
F Instruments
These include: French Horn
How to Transpose
The first thing to take into account is the key. For
example, if you are transposing music in G major up a
major 2nd, take the keynote (tonic) and transpose it up
a major 2nd to A. The new keynote (tonic), A, means the
music is now in A major.
Transposing and Accidentals
1
When transposing a melody that has accidentals, we must ensure that the accidental is also
transposed.
Transposing and Accidentals
2
When transposing a melody that has accidentals, we must ensure that the accidental is also
transposed.
Other
Scales
Chromatic
Scale
Chromatic Scales are made up of half steps
(semitones) in consecutive order. When
ascending, they are written with Sharps, however
when descending, they are written with Flats.
Whole-Tone
Scale
Whole Tone Scales contain no Half Steps (Semitones). The Scale is built entirely from
notes which are a Whole Step (Tone) apart. This divides the Octave into six (6) equal
steps of one whole tone each. Only two (2) Whole-Tone Scales are possible.
Pentatonic Scale
A Pentatonic Scale is a musical scale that contains five (5) notes. The five notes of the
pentatonic scale is the root, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, & 6th degree (the 4th & 7th are omitted).
Blues Scale
The Blues Scale has only 7 notes. The 2nd & 6th notes are omitted while the 3rd & 7th
are flattened. Their is also a flattened 5th & a perfect 5th. This combination gives a
unique sound which can be considered an authentic “Blues Sound.”
Diminished Scale 1
Diminished Scale (also called an Octatonic Scale) consists of nine (9) notes in alternating
pattern. The pattern is Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step, Half
Step, Whole Step, & Half Step.
Diminished Scale 2
Diminished Scale (also called an Octatonic Scale) consists of nine (9) notes in alternating
pattern. The pattern is Half Step, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole
Step, Half Step, & Whole Step.
Tonal &
Atonal
Tonal Music
Music that has a definite key, whether it is major, minor, blues, diminished, or a mode.
Atonal Music
Atonal music has no definite pitch or key. As a result, all 12 notes of the chromatic scale
has equal importance in value.
Serialism (12-tone scale)
Serialism is an atonal music composed using all 12-tones of the chromatic arranged in a
particular order. This order would then be called a Tone Row. All 12-tones take on equal
importance within the piece.
For example:
Serialism (12-tone scale) (cont.)
