The Stratford Music Theory Course

Welcome to Chapter 1!

In this Chapter we're going to explore the Musical Alphabet, and the patterns that commonly appear in music.
We'll do a variety of reading, writing, listening, playing, comparing and analysing these sequences.
Don't worry, you don't need an instrument!

Here we'll take our very first step into the musical language. There are some letters that you'll already recognise!

Have a go at the sheet by yourself if you're feeling confident, I'll go over all the answers in the video.

Here we'll be looking at what sequences look like in Musical Notation.
Don't worry - you don't have to be able to actually read music for this - we're just looking at the patterns!

Let's have a go at drawing some Sequences. Creating them yourself is a great way to analyse these patterns, so that when you see them in the music, they'll already look a little familiar.

Here we'll look at building a physical connection to the Sequences that we read.
You don't need an instrument for this, you can do this exercise at a desk.
We'll just be converting what we analyse with our eyes, to a physical movement in our fingers.

Let's have a listen to what Sequences sound like, and if you can recognise them using your ears alone.

In this Chapter, we will have a look at how Musical Notation came to be, and how it works.
There are a lot of interactive worksheets so you can practise everything with me.

We'll be covering:

• How Musical Notation is just like a graph

• Treble & Bass Clefs

• The Grand Staff

• Middle C

• Sequences in notation

• How to draw the Clefs

• Stem Direction

• Ledger Lines

• Melody Recognition ear training

We've all seen various graphs before, and Music Notation isn't all that different.
Here we'll be building Musical Notation from scratch, to see how it forms.

In the musical alphabet, we only have 7 letters to label a huge range of Pitch.
How can you tell which note is which if a lot of them share the same name?

Here we'll explore how the musical alphabet is organised, and the range of our Notation system.

Where does written notation start, and end?
Why are the Clefs the way that they are, and what do they each represent?

Here we'll be looking at which notes exactly are covered by the Clefs, and why.

You may have heard of Middle C before (especially if you've played Piano) though you might not know why it's actually called Middle C.

It's a myth that it's the middle note of a Piano.

The Treble and Bass Clef actually join together as part of the Grand Staff.
Here we'll look at their similarities and differences.

Now would be a good time to have a look at Chapter 8 and start some Rhythm.

Let's practice reading Treble Clef Notes.
I'd suggest only doing a couple of lines at a time, and then taking a break.
We want this to sink in to your longer term memory.

Now let's practice the Bass Clef.

Like I said before, break up your practice a little bit so you get more exposure to it.

Here we'll mix up the Treble and Bass Clef so you get used to switching between each of them.

Let's draw some clefs! I'll demonstrate how to do each one.

Which Clef is suitable for the note provided? Only 1 will work.
Try the worksheet on your own, and check the answers with me.

Here we'll explore why sometimes the note sticks (stems) go up, and sometimes down.

Let's practice adding stems to notes, so they are going the correct way.
Try the worksheet on your own first, and then I'll go over the answers with you in the video!

Here we'll practice Sequences, and also labelling notes. Have a go at the worksheet, and I'll cover all the answers in the video.

How do you write notes that are extra high or low, beyond the staff?
Ledger lines are little extensions of the staff that we use as we need them.

Here I'll show you some examples and explain in full.

Let's have a go at reading notes on Ledger Lines.

Have a go at the worksheet on your own, and I'll explain the answers in the video.

Let's use Ledger Lines to complete the sequence of notes.
Have a go on the worksheet on your own, and I'll run through the answers in the video.

Here we'll be doing some ear training!

Listen closely to the examples that I play, and see if you can tell which one you heard.
Make sure you print out the worksheet first.
Have a go at this video a few times if you need a little more practice.

Let's have a look at what Intervals look like in music. They make certain patterns. Once you know the patterns, they are easy to read quickly.

Have a go at the worksheet on your own to practice interval identification.
I'll quickly go over the answers in the video, and show you how to quickly count the even numbered intervals.

Have a go at the worksheet yourself, and practice creating different intervals.
I'll go over the answers in the video.

Let's have a listen to different intervals. I'll give you some pointers on how to associate what you're hearing, with the intervals you have learned so far.
You can always pause the video after I play the intervals, to give yourself more time to think about it before I tell you the correct answer. Don't forget that you can play this video a few times to practice.

You won't need anything for this lesson, just follow along with me on the video.

Here we'll have a look at a very important interval, the Octave.

Let's practice travelling by Octave in the staff. I'll go over all the answers and talk you through in the video.

There are symbols that attach to notes called Sharps and Flats.
How do they alter the notes?

How do Naturals affect notes, and in what context are they used?

Have a go at the worksheet and I'll quickly go over the answers in the video.

Draw along with me, and I'll show you how to draw the symbols correctly.

Follow along with me and I'll show you some examples of when Accidentals are used, and how they make the notes behave.

Semitones and Tones are a type of measurement used to calculate the distance between notes.
How can you tell if a note is a Tone or a Semitone away?

Have a go at the worksheet by yourself and see how you go.

I'll cover all of the answers in the video.

Make sure you print out the resource file so you can follow along with me.

I'll play a series of notes, and see if you can tell if they are a Tone or a Semitone relationship.
I'll guide you as we go through the answers, so just give it your best shot.

This page shows the Key Signature of C Major and the C Major scale.

Let's practice using the Major Scale Formula to create other Scales and Key Signatures.
You can follow along with me.

I'm going to show you how Semitones and Tones are found on different instruments.
Remember, that music theory is universal across all instruments. Once you understand Music Theory, you can start to understand more than just one instrument.

Here I'll be showing you what different Major scales sound like.

Because they are all Major Scales, they are all using the same TTS TTTS Pattern.

They should sound the same, other than just being shifted higher or lower.
Did you know that Scales can also start on a Sharp or a Flat as well?

We could make a list of every scale, by picking a note to start on, and then following the Major Scale Formula TTS TTTS.

But how should we order the results so they can be remembered?

Let's have a look at building a list of our scales, that include sharps.
From 0 sharps to 7 sharps. What kind of patterns emerge?

Let's have a look at building a list of our scales, that include flats.
From 0 sharps to 6 flats. What kind of patterns emerge?

This is what I like to call the 'Line of 5ths,' which is a good building block to then understanding how it forms into a Circle.
I just find that the line gives a more linear view and is easier for students to read, and also draw.

Have a practice drawing the line of 5ths with me.
See if you can draw it on your own later to practice using these patterns.

I'd like to go over building up scales that have Flat keys included in them.

Why are they Flats instead of Sharps? What dictates whether a scale has Sharps or Flats in it?
How can you remember which Key Signatures have Flats in them?

Here's all of the info we have learned about Key Signatures, as the Circle of 5ths!

When Key Signatures are written in a piece of music, the sharps or flats are in a specific order for a special reason.
Let's have a look at how that ties together.

I'll show you where exactly the Sharps go in a Key Signature, in the Treble and Bass Clef.
Follow along with me to practice.

I'll show you where exactly the Flats go in a Key Signature, in the Treble and Bass Clef.
Follow along with me to practice.

Use the patterns that you've learned in Sharp Key Signatures to identify these Key Signatures.
Remember that the last Sharp in ANY Key Signature, represents the 7th note of that Key Signature/Scale.
You can follow along with me if you get stuck, or need extra help.

Let's practice creating different Key Signatures.
You can follow along with me!

Let's practice writing out scales properly in notation.
You can follow along with me!

Let's practice writing out some more scales properly in notation.
You can follow along with me!

Pick which word fills in the blank.

Let's put your knowledge to the test!
Give this a go before watching the video, and then I'll go over everything with you.

Here are the most common notes and rests used in notation.
We will be using these in the Rhythm Training later on.

This shows the notes in their hierarchy and ratio.
We're going to break it down and practice a few at a time.

Semibreves are the easiest to draw!

I'm going to explain how note ratios work, and how to best read and interpret them.

I'm going to explain how note ratios work, and how to best read and interpret them.
This method is helpful to take the feeling of maths out of rhythm.

This is the more mathematical approach to looking at note ratios and their relationships.

Let's draw some crotchets, you can follow along with me.

Be sure to print out your resource file for these, so you can count and tap along.
I'll play along with you, using a metronome to keep us in sync.

Let's draw some Quavers, you can follow along with me.

Be sure to print out your resource file for these, so you can count and tap along.
I'll play along with you, using a metronome to keep us in sync.

Be sure to print out your resource file for these, so you can count and tap along.
I'll play along with you, using a metronome to keep us in sync.

Don't look at the file yet! Watch the video first with a blank piece of paper to write your answers on.
Then check your answers on the resource file.

Let's practice drawing Minims. You can follow along with me.

Be sure to print out your resource file for these, so you can count and tap along.
I'll play along with you, using a metronome to keep us in sync.

Be sure to print out your resource file for these, so you can count and tap along.
I'll play along with you, using a metronome to keep us in sync.

See how you go on the sheet, and then I'll go over the answers in the video.

Be sure to print out your resource file for these, so you can count and tap along.
I'll play along with you, using a metronome to keep us in sync.

Let's practice looking at sheet music, and grouping the beats together.

Let's practice looking at sheet music, and grouping the beats together.

What exactly does each number mean in a Time Signature?

Which Time Signature is correct for the rhythm given?
Have a go at the sheet, and I'll go over the answers in the video.

I'll play a bar of music for you to analyse from the examples given. Which Rhythm did you hear?

Here we'll be looking at the speed of music.

Ties are little curved lines that join notes together. But what are they for?

Make sure you print out your resource file, and follow along with me!

Why is music written the way it is?

Here are some examples of how rhythm structure looks in different contexts.

See how you go on the test, and then check the video for answers and explanations!