This lesson explains why the piano keys are patterned like they are. Students will learn the names of the white keys and other vocabulary. Supplemental material, including the Lesson Guide, is included with Lecture 4.

Students will learn the names of the black keys. concepts such as sharp and flat, and other vocabulary. Supplemental material, including the Lesson Guide, is included with Lecture 4.

Students will learn to number the octaves and other fundamental vocabulary. Supplemental material for this Section is included with this Lecture.

In this lesson the students will learn the notes on the staff in treble clef, bass clef, plus tenor clef, and alto clef. Ledger lines and ottava symbols are explained. This lesson includes practice worksheets and a vocabulary quiz.

This lesson explains the seven modes (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian), the patterns of whole-steps and half-steps, the major or minor quality of the mode, scale degree, and tonal center.

Notation and piano keyboard worksheets are included for practice.

Audio files are included for aural recognition practice. Download these files into a directory on your MP3 player, randomize the playback, and use the answer worksheet to practice recognizing modes by ear.

One effective method for understanding modes is in terms of starting on a particular scale degree in a major key, e.g. Ionian starts on do, Dorian starts on re, Phrygian start on mi, etc. For this reason, it is suggested that modes be revisited after learning the major keys.

Another suggested assignment is to write out all seven modes for each tonal center.

The exercises in this lesson can be used for practice or assessment.

This lesson in five (5) parts explains the derivation of the 15 major keys and scales, key signatures, the order of sharps and flats, the circle of fifths, tonal function, and solfeggio.

Understanding key is the key to understanding tonal music. A deep understanding of how the notes relate to each other, and the names by which they are referred is essential to understanding key and tonal music.

Students should understand the proper notation of key signatures, major scales expressed in notation and on the keyboard, and the key relationships.

Students should take the time to discover all of the major keys on their own, as suggested in the video lessons.

You do not need to know your key signatures to practice the audio lessons. Each file puts the key in your ear, and then plays a note in that key. You determine which note of the scale that is.

Suggested assessments include:

• “pop quiz” to draw a “Circle of Fifths” from scratch
• play major scales on the piano
• Naming notes in response to key with scale degree, solfege, or function name
• Writing random key signatures
• Sing (solfege) a major scale

Discover the major keys on your own.

How did you do?

The order of flats and sharps. Spelling counts!

The map of the relationships between the universe of musical keys.

The worksheets and quiz help you to navigate the notes as they function in each key.

Learn about the symbols and vocabulary of printed music.