THE PIANO KEYBOARD

TRIADS

A triad is the Root (1st), 3rd, and 5th notes of the major scale, played simultaneously. There are four types of triads: major, minor, augmented, and diminished.

How to notate a triad:

1. Find the scale with the same letter name.

2. Figure out the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the scale.

3. Notate them together by stacking them on top of each other, like the examples below.

4. If there are alterations, add them. Look for the specific alterations below.

MAJOR SCALES

Sequence of whole/half steps: W, W, H, W, W, W, H (half steps between notes 3 & 4, 7 & 8)

KEY SIGNATURES

A key signature is the collection of sharps or flats at the beginning of each staff indicating the scale in use. You must know the key to figure out what scale to sing or play.

The sharps and/or flats are always notated in a specific order:

Furthermore, you will always notate the flats/sharps in the same places on the staff when you notate them. Below are the key signatures for Cb and C#; if you are notating another key signature, notate the correct sharps/flats, but in the same places that you see them below.

Major keys:

For FLATS: The key signature name is whatever the name of the second-to-last flat is (reading from left to right).

For SHARPS: The key signature name is the note a half-step higher than the letter name of the last sharp (the last one on the right).

Minor keys:

This is a 3-step process:

1. Figure out the major key for the key signature.

2. Find that note on the keyboard.

3. Count down three half-steps. This will be the name of the minor signature.

TIME SIGNATURES

In a time signature, there are two numbers. It will look like a fraction, without the line between.

The top number tells us HOW MANY beats are in any measure.

The bottom number tells us WHAT KIND of note gets one beat.

If there is a 2 on the bottom, use a half note.
If there is a 4 on the bottom, use a quarter note.
If there is an 8 on the bottom, use an eighth note.

DURATIONAL SYLLABLES

These are syllables we say when reading rhythms. It makes sight-reading easier to do.  Here are the most common ones we will use:

ACCIDENTALS

Remember the rule for sharps and flat notation: write the accidental after the letter name, notate it before the note!

Accidental types:

Sharp (#): raises a pitch by one half-step.

Double Sharp (x): raises a pitch by two half-steps.

Flat (b): lowers a pitch by one half-step.

Double Flat (bb): lowers a pitch by two half-steps.

When drawing accidentals, make sure you notate them on the SAME LINE OR SPACE AS THE NOTE.

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