Music Theory
Notes, scales, time signatures
Notes, Scales and Time
Music theory is the language of music. Notes are named A B C D E F G. A scale is a series of notes in order (like do re mi fa sol la ti do). Time signatures tell us beats per bar (4/4 = 4 beats, 3/4 = 3 beats like a waltz). Understanding theory helps you read, play and create music.
Example
The C Major Scale
C D E F G A B C (all white keys on piano)
Whole step pattern: W W H W W W H (W=whole tone, H=half tone)
Time signatures:
4/4: 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4 (march, pop music)
3/4: 1-2-3, 1-2-3 (waltz)
6/8: 1-2-3-4-5-6 (compound time, jig)
Key signature tells you which scale the music is in.
Note
Remember
Every piece of music is built on a scale (key). The key signature at the start tells you which sharps or flats to play. Rhythm + melody + harmony = music. Theory helps you understand WHY music sounds the way it does.
Key Vocabulary
ScaleA series of notes arranged in ascending or descending order
Time signatureNumbers showing how beats are grouped in each bar
KeyThe main scale a piece of music is based on
Sharp/FlatSymbols raising (#) or lowering (♭) a note by a semitone
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