Theory of Music

Grade One - Lesson 7

Semitones, Tones and Accidentals

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Semitones

• A semitone is the distance between any note and the note immediately above it or below it.

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Tone

• A tone is equal to two semitones. The distance of a tone always has one key (black or white) in between.

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Semitones and Tones

• Look at the keyboard below and work out which two white keys have no black key between them.

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Semitones and Tones Summary

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Semitones and Tones

• Look at the notes below and work out if the pair of notes are a tone or semitone apart.

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Accidentals

• An accidental is a sign put in front of a note to make the note sound higher or lower.

• The most common signs you will see to do this are:

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Accidentals

• SHARPS, FLATS AND NATURALS VIDEO

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Sharp Sign

• A sharp sign is one kind of accidental.

• It raises a note by a semitone.

• Be careful when drawing sharps on lines and spaces. The box must be placed clearly on a line or space.

• Practice drawing sharps on lines and spaces.

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Flat Sign

• A flat sign is one kind of accidental.

• It lowers a note by a semitone.

• Be careful when drawing flats on lines and spaces. The ‘half-leaf shape’ must be placed clearly on a line or space.

• Practice drawing flats on lines and spaces.

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Natural Sign

• A natural sign is one kind of accidental.

• It cancels a sharp or flat. A note with a natural sign in front of it is always a white note.

• Be careful when drawing naturals on lines and spaces. The oblong box must be placed clearly on a line or space.

• Practice drawing naturals on lines and spaces.

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Important!

• Accidentals are always placed before a note on the stave.

• They are always on the same line or space as the note being altered.

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Questions

• What does a sharp sign in front of D do to that note?

• What does a flat sign in front of B do to that note?

• What does a natural sign in front of F do to that note?

• Which pairs of white keys on the piano keyboard are a semitone apart?

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Answers

• What does a sharp sign in front of D do to that note?• It raises the D by a semitone

• What does a flat sign in front of B do to that note?• It lowers the B by a semitone

• What does a natural sign in front of F do to that note?• It cancels the accidental before. It means to play the normal

white key.

• Which pairs of white keys on the piano keyboard are a semitone apart? E to F and B to C.

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Questions

• Name the following signs and symbols.

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Homework

• Complete lesson 7 in Master Your Theory Grade 1.