Melody - Chromatic Scale

A chromatic scale is scale in which all  notes are a half step (semitone) apart. It consists of all 12 notes. Ascending chromatic scales use sharps for black piano keys. Descending chromatic scales use flats for black piano keys.

 When ascending (going up) the chromatic scale, we use sharps:

When descending (going down) the chromatic scale, we use flats:

Here is C Chromatic Scale ascending and descending:

Melody - Accidentals (Enharmonics)

Enharmonic notes are pitches that have the same sound but are called by a different name.

For example, F-sharp and G-flat are enharmonic notes, as are C-flat and B-natural.

Melody - Accidentals (Sharps & Flats)

A sharp (♯) placed in front of a note raises its pitch by a half step. A raised note moves to the right on a keyboard.

A flat (♭) placed in front of a note lowers its pitch by a half step. A lowered note moves to the left on a keyboard.

When writing sharps and flats on the staff, write them before the note on the line or space of the notehead they describe.

Common errors in writing notes with accidentals

Avoid these common errors when writing notes with accidentals.

Floating accidentals. In the example below, none of the accidentals are on the appropriate line or space. They do not indicate whether or not the pitch should be altered.

Accidentals on the wrong side. Remember that the accidental goes on the left hand side of the notehead. The examples below are centered perfectly on the correct line or space, but they are on the wrong side of the notehead, and therefore have no meaning.

Accidentals that are the wrong size. The correct size of each accidental is demonstrated in the correct examples above. Avoid making them too big or too small.

Melody - Accidentals (Naturals)

Naturals are notes without sharps or flats: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. For example the note D can be called D-natural because it has no sharp or flat.

A natural sign (♮) placed before a note cancels the sharp (♯) or flat (♭) sign describing a note.

Sharps (♯), flats (♭) and naturals (♮) not in the key signature are called ACCIDENTALS.

Accidentals affect every note on the same line or space for the remainder of the measure/bar.

Bar lines cancel all accidentals from the previous measure unless a note is tied across the bar line.

RULES FOR ACCIDENTALS

1. An accidental carries through the bar affecting both the note it immediately comes before and any following notes on the same line or space in the measure.

2. Accidentals do not affect the same note of a different octave, unless indicated by a key signature.

3. Accidentals are not repeated on tied notes, unless the tie goes from line to line or page to page.

4. If a sharp or flat pitch is followed directly by its natural form, a natural must be placed before the note.

5. Cautionary accidentals or naturals (in parentheses) may be used to clarify ambiguities, but should be kept to a minimum.

Melody - Tones and Semitones

A semitone (S) or half step (H) is the smallest interval in traditional Western music. It is the shortest distance between to pitches. The piano keyboard is arranged in half steps; the distance between two adjacent keys on the piano is a half step.

The tone (T) or whole step (W) is an interval made by combining two half steps.

Melody - The Grand Staff

·   As a result of their large range between high and low, keyboard instruments like piano, organ and synthesizer use both the treble and bass clefs. Generally, the right hand plays the upper staff (treble) and the left hand plays the lower staff (bass). The Middle C can be written in either the treble or the bass staff.

·   When the treble and bass staffs are connected by a line and/or a brace, they combine to form the GRAND STAFF.

A brace shows that the two staves are played by one musician, at the same time.

On a grand staff, the bar lines and double bar line pass through the entire staff.

Melody - The Bass Clef

The bass clef is the second most common clef. What letter do you think the bass clef used to be? The bass clef used to be the Gothic letter “F”. It is also called the “F clef” because it shows where the note “F” is on the staff by starting on the F line, as well as, the dots above and below the fourth line “F”.

Bass Clef Transitions

Bass clefs are used for instruments with a low sound. Some of them are: tuba, cello, double bass, trombone, bassoon, and electric bass.

How to Draw a Bass Clef Properly

Step #1 – Draw a black dot on line #4 of the staff. (Remember to fill this dot in!)

Step #2 – Draw half of a heart, curling up to line #5 and ending in space #1. (Remember – do not go to or through line #1!)


Step #3 – Draw a black dot in space #3 and a black dot in space #4. (Remember to fill these dots in too!)

To help remember the lines of the bass staff we say: Good Boy Does Fine Always.

To help remember the spaces of the bass staff we say: All Cows Eat Gas.