Music Theory

Note Values

Whole note—4 beats (semibreve)

Half note—2 beats (minim)

Quarter note—1 beat (crotchet)

Eighth note—1/2 beat (quaver)

Sixteenth note—1/4 beat (semiquaver)

Dotted note—Adds 50% to note value

Triplet—3 notes in the space of 2

Tied notes—Combined duration, one sound

Whole rest—4 beats of silence

Quarter rest—1 beat of silence

Scales & Modes

Major: W W H W W W H—Bright, happy sound

Natural minor: W H W W H W W—Dark, sad sound

Harmonic minor—Raised 7th, exotic feel

Melodic minor—Raised 6th & 7th ascending

Ionian (I)—Same as major scale

Dorian (ii)—Minor with raised 6th

Phrygian (iii)—Minor with flat 2nd

Mixolydian (V)—Major with flat 7th

Pentatonic (major)—1 2 3 5 6 — five notes

Blues scale—Minor pent + flat 5th

Key Signatures

C major / A minor—No sharps or flats

G major / E minor—1 sharp (F#)

D major / B minor—2 sharps (F#, C#)

A major / F# minor—3 sharps (F#, C#, G#)

E major / C# minor—4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#)

F major / D minor—1 flat (Bb)

Bb major / G minor—2 flats (Bb, Eb)

Eb major / C minor—3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)

Ab major / F minor—4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db)

Order of sharps/flats—FCGDAEB / BEADGCF

Chords & Progressions

Major triad: 1 3 5—Root, major 3rd, perfect 5th

Minor triad: 1 b3 5—Root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th

Diminished: 1 b3 b5—Tense, unstable sound

Augmented: 1 3 #5—Bright, unresolved sound

Dom 7th: 1 3 5 b7—Wants to resolve to tonic

Maj 7th: 1 3 5 7—Smooth, jazzy sound

I-IV-V-I—Classic resolution (pop/rock)

ii-V-I—Standard jazz progression

I-V-vi-IV—Pop hit progression

I-vi-IV-V—1950s doo-wop progression

Intervals

Unison: 0 semitones—Same pitch

Minor 2nd: 1 semitone—Dissonant, tense

Major 2nd: 2 semitones—Whole step

Minor 3rd: 3 semitones—Sad, dark quality

Major 3rd: 4 semitones—Happy, bright quality

Perfect 4th: 5 semitones—Open, hymn-like

Tritone: 6 semitones—Very dissonant, restless

Perfect 5th: 7 semitones—Strong, stable, open

Major 6th: 9 semitones—Warm, sweet sound

Octave: 12 semitones—Same note, higher/lower

Time Signatures

4/4 (common time)—4 quarter notes per measure

3/4 (waltz time)—3 quarter notes per measure

2/4 (march time)—2 quarter notes per measure

6/8 (compound duple)—2 groups of 3 eighth notes

9/8 (compound triple)—3 groups of 3 eighth notes

12/8 (compound quad)—4 groups of 3 eighth notes

5/4 (irregular)—Asymmetric, Take Five feel

7/8 (irregular)—Common in Balkan music

Dynamics & Tempo

pp (pianissimo)—Very soft

p (piano)—Soft

mp (mezzo-piano)—Moderately soft

mf (mezzo-forte)—Moderately loud

f (forte)—Loud

ff (fortissimo)—Very loud

cresc. / decresc.—Gradually louder / softer

sfz (sforzando)—Sudden strong accent

Musical Terms

Largo: ~40-60 BPM—Very slow, broad

Adagio: ~60-72 BPM—Slow, at ease

Andante: ~72-108 BPM—Walking pace

Moderato: ~108-120 BPM—Moderate speed

Allegro: ~120-156 BPM—Fast, lively

Presto: ~168-200 BPM—Very fast

Ritardando (rit.)—Gradually slow down

Accelerando (accel.)—Gradually speed up

Legato—Smooth, connected notes

Staccato—Short, detached notes

allprintabledoc.com