The Sharp Keys
Earlier in this course you learned are 12 notes that the chromatic scale has 12 members, that is to say 12 notes. Interestingly, every one of these notes can be the root note, or first degree of it's very own major scale and therefore the tonic note of its very own key. Since there are 12 degrees in the major scale, there are 12 keys in the world of music. These 12 keys are the playing field for the real game of music theory and professional music.
In the previous lesson we examined the key of G major where the addition of a sharp note is necessary to correctly spell the G major scale. To maintain the correct formula, or order half steps and whole streps. Because all of this can only be accomplished with the addition of a sharped nore (F#), G major is called a sharp key.
A Demand For Sharped Notes
Just as the key of G has a demand for one sharp (F#), the key of D has a demand for two sharped notes, C# and F#. When this demand is satisified, a properly spelled major scale is the result. The sharps are clearly visible in the key signature.
All together there are six keys that require the addition of sharps to create a major scale.To fully grasp the concept. However, the writing exercises that appear at theend of this lesson are of paramount importance and if you are at all serious about this course should be completed. Selow is a chart of the six keys that require sharp notes to create a major scale, study and memorize this chart once again with the aid of pencil and paper.
Sharp Keys
| FORMULA | Whole Step> |
Whole Step> |
1/2 Step>
|
Whole Step> |
Whole Step> |
Whole Step>
|
1/2 Step> |
|
DEGREES Solfege |
I Do |
II Re |
III Mi |
IV Fa |
V Sol |
VI La |
VII Ti |
I Do |
| Key of C | C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
A |
B |
C |
| Key of G | G |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F# |
G |
| Key of D | D |
E |
F# |
G |
A |
B |
C# |
D |
| Key of A | A |
B |
C# |
D |
E |
F# |
G# |
A |
| Key of E | E |
F# |
G# |
A |
B |
C# |
D# |
E |
| Key of B | B |
C# |
D# |
E |
F# |
G# |
A# |
B |
| Key of F# | F# |
G# |
A# |
B |
C# |
D# |
E# |
F# |
Looking at and memorizing the tables of scale spellings is all well and good, but the real learning in this lesson will take place when you are doing the written exercises. A real musician (or a top music student) has supreme command over this material, and is well past the point of memorization having long ago gained mastery over the 12 keys of music. Being able to effortlessly function in all of these 12 keys and being able to quickly connect them together makes your performing, improvising and writing smooth and musical.Copy the written exercises below in your music notebook, do this until you are well past the point of memorization.
