Major Scales & Key Signatures
This lesson is part of the Fundamentals of Twelve-Tone Equal Temperament category. |
Objectives[edit]
- Students will be able to write a major scale beginning on a given note.
- Students will be able to write the key signature for a given major key in treble and bass clef.
- Students will be able to identify the major key represented by a given key signature.
- Students will be able to identify the key of a short melodic segment.
- Students will be able to label melodies with solfege (fixed and moveable do)
Resources[edit]
Readings[edit]
- Handout on Deriving Scales and Key Signatures
- R. Hutchinson. "Major Scales and Key Signatures." (Music Theory for the 21st Century Classroom).
- T. Rush. "The Major Scale." (Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People).
- T. Rush. "Keys Signatures." (Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People).
- T. Rush. "The Circle of Fifths." (Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People).
- K. Schaffer. "Key Signatures." (Open Music Theory).
- Teoria.com Tutorial:
- MusicTheory.net Tutorial:
Tools[edit]
- R. Scullard: Interactive Circle of Fifths
- Teoria.com Scale Constructor
- MusicTheory.net Scale Calculator
- MusicTheory.net Key Calculator
Class Activities[edit]
- Discussion and definition of the major scale
- Discussion and definition of major key signatures, their usage and their proper notation
- Proper notation in treble and bass clef of the key signature for a given major key
- Identification of key signature for music from different genres and time periods
- Discussion of fixed vs. moveable do solfege systems and their use in major
Assignments[edit]
- Writing major scales
- Identifying key signatures
- Writing key signatures
Drills[edit]
- Teoria.com:
- Musictheory.net: