Music Theory Gym

Music Theory GymVideos, worksheets and exercises designed by Shaun ScrivnerOnline exercises designed using Musictheory.netKeyboard IdentificationWatch Video: Names of White Piano KeysIdentify White KeysWatch Video: Sharps and Flats on the PianoIdentify White Keys FlatsIdentify White Keys SharpsIdentify Sharps and Flats 1Identify Sharps and Flats 2Staff Note IdentificationMusictheory.net Lesson: The Note Names of the StaffTreble Clef Lines 1Treble Clef Spaces 1Treble Clef Lines 2Treble Clef Spaces 2Treble Clef Lines and SpacesBass Clef Lines 1Bass Clef Spaces 1Bass Clef Lines 2Bass Clef Spaces 2Bass Clef Lines and SpacesGrand StaffStaff Note ConstructionTreble ClefBass ClefGrand StaffStaff Note Identification on KeyboardTreble Clef 1Treble Clef 2

Treble Clef 3Bass Clef 1Bass Clef 2Bass Clef 3Grand StaffIntervals 1 – Generic Intervals 1-8Watch Video: Generic Intervals on White KeysKeyboard: Complete worksheet Generic Intervals on White KeysMusictheory.net Lesson: Generic Intervals on the StaffTreble Clef – IdentifyTreble. Clef – ConstructBass Clef – IdentifyBass Clef – ConstructGrand Staff – IdentifyGrand Staff – ConstructIntervals 2 – Minor and Major SecondsWatch Video: Half Steps and Whole StepsKeyboard: Complete worksheet Playing Half Steps and Whole StepsWatch Video: Major and Minor SecondsKeyboard – IdentifyKeyboard: Complete worksheet Playing Minor and Major SecondsTreble Clef – Identify 1Treble Clef – Identify 2Treble Clef – Identify 3Treble Clef – Construct 1Treble Clef – Construct 2Bass Clef – Identify 1Bass Clef – Identify 2Bass Clef – Identify 3Bass Clef – Construct 1Bass Clef – Construct 2

Grand Staff – IdentifyGrand Staff – ConstructMajor Scales 1 – C, G, DWatch Video: Intro to Major Scales with C, G, and D MajorKeyboard: Learn to play C, G, and D scales using the “Scales” worksheetMusictheory.net Lesson: Major Scales on the StaffTreble Clef – Construct ScalesBass Clef – Construct ScalesGrand Staff – Construct ScalesMajor ChordsKeyboard 1: Complete worksheet Major Triads 1Keyboard 2: Complete worksheet Major Triads 2Keyboard 3: Complete worksheet Major Triads 3Keyboard 4: Complete worksheet Major Triads 4Treble Clef – Construct 1Treble Clef – Construct 2Bass Clef – Construct 1Bass Clef – Construct 2Treble and Bass – Construct 1Treble and Bass – Construct 2Intervals 3 – Minor and Major 3rdsWatch Video: Minor and Major 3rdsKeyboard – IdentifyKeyboard: Complete worksheet Playing Minor and Major ThirdsTreble Clef – Identify 1Treble Clef – Identify 2Treble Clef – Identify 3Treble Clef – Construct 1Treble Clef – Construct 2Bass Clef – Identify 1Bass Clef – Identify 2Bass Clef – Identify 3

Bass Clef – Construct 1Bass Clef – Construct 2Grand Staff – IdentifyGrand Staff – ConstructMixed Major and Minor 2nds and 3rdsTreble Clef – IdentifyBass Clef – IdentifyGrand Staff – IdentifyMajor Scales 2 – A, E, B (plus C, G, D)Keyboard: Learn to play A, E, and B scales using the “Scales” worksheetTreble Clef – Construct ScalesBass Clef – Construct ScalesGrand Staff – Construct ScalesMinor ChordsKeyboard: Complete worksheet Turning Major Triads into Minor TriadsTreble Clef – Construct 1Treble Clef – Construct 2Treble Clef – Identify Major and Minor 1Treble Clef – Identify Major and Minor 2Bass Clef – Construct 1Bass Clef – Construct 2Bass Clef – Identify Major and Minor 1Bass Clef – Identify Major and Minor 2Treble and Bass – Construct 1Treble and Bass – Construct 2Treble and Bass – Identify Major and Minor 1Treble and Bass – Identify Major and Minor 2Ear Training 1 – Hearing the Notes of the Major TriadRoot, Third, and Fifth on Major Chord (one octave range)

WorksheetsBelow are the worksheets found incertain links above

Generic Intervals on White KeysAn interval is the distance between two notes. We label intervals using numbers. Thisworksheet just deals with eight generic intervals found on the white keys of the piano, whichwe number 1 through 8.To find the interval number between two notes, count the number of letters from one note tothe other. You can count up from the lower note to the higher or count down from the highernote to the lower; either way will produce the same result. (Note: For now, make sure and callall white keys by their natural name; do not label anything as a flat or sharp.)For example, let’s find the interval between the notes with the red dots below.Step 1: Label the notesFStep 2: Count the letters from one note to the otherCYou can count up from left to right: or down from right to left:FGABC1 2 3 4554 3 2 1Answer: The interval is 5While we usually label intervals with numbers, we have a particular way of spelling them outand saying them out loud. The intervals of 1 and 8 even have extra special names.Written Interval12345678How We Spell/Say ItUnison (less common: First)SecondThirdFourthFifthSixthSeventhOctave (less common: Eighth)

Written ExercisesFor questions 1-8, label the name of each note, then label the interval with both its number andspelling. Write your answers on a piece of paper.1.Interval Number:Interval Spelling:2.Interval Number:Interval Spelling:3.Interval Number:Interval Spelling:4.Interval Number:Interval Spelling:5.Interval Number:Interval Spelling:

6.Interval Number:Interval Spelling:7.Interval Number:Interval Spelling:8.Interval Number:Interval Spelling:Keyboard ExercisesPlay the following intervals on a keyboard, then write your answer on a piece of paper.9. Play a D and the note a fourth above. What note did you find?10. Play an E and the note a third below. What note did you find?11. Play an A and the note a sixth above. What note did you find?12. Play a B and the note a second above. What note did you find?13. Play a G and the note an octave below. What note did you find?14. Play a C and the note a fifth below. What note did you find?15. Play a B and the note a seventh above. What note did you find?

Playing Half Steps and Whole StepsUse a keyboard to help you answer the following questions, then write you answer on a pieceof paper.1. What note is one half step above F#?2. What note is one half step below Bb?3. What note is one half step below F?4. What are the two names for the note found one half step above A?5. What are the two names for the note found one half step below D?6. What note is two half steps below B?7. What note is one whole step above C?8. What are the two names for the note found one whole step above G#?9. What are the two names for the note found one whole step below Eb?10. What note is found a whole step above D#?11. What note is found three half steps below G?12. What are the two names for the note found three half steps above Bb?13. What note is found two whole steps above F?14. Start on D. Go down one half step, then go up two whole steps. What note did you landon?15. Start on A. Go up three half steps, then go down two whole steps, then down one halfstep, then up three whole steps. What are the two names for this note?

Playing Minor and Major SecondsRemember these rules!Minor Second (m2)Major Second (M2)1. Two letters apartand2. One HALF step apart1. Two letters apartand2. One WHOLE step apartUse a keyboard to help you answer the following questions, then write you answer on a pieceof paper.1. What note is a m2 above C?2. What note is a m2 below C?3. What note is a m2 above F#?4. What note is a m2 below Eb?5. What note is a M2 above F?6. What note is a M2 below Bb?7. What note is a M2 above E?8. What note is a M2 below G#?9. What note is a m2 above A?10. What note is a M2 above G#?11. What note is a m2 below C#? (Hint: Think of a different name for the C key.)12. What note is a M2 below Db? (Hint: Think of a different name for the B key.)13. What note is a m2 above Eb? (Hint: Think of a different name for the E key.)14. What note is a M2 above A#? (Hint: Think of a different name for the C key.)15. What note is a m2 below F#? (Hint: Think of a different name for the F key.)

Major Triads 1The Three Vanillas: C, F, G“Vanilla” major triads are the vanilla ice cream of piano chords: smooth, simple, timeless. Likethe plain white confection we know and love, these are major chords with three white keys.There are three: C, F and G. Notice that each one is named after its lowest note. We call thisspecial note the Root. The middle note is the 3rd, and the top note is the 5th.Fun-xercise 1 Play the following chords in the treble clef with your right hand, using fingers 1, 3, and 5. Play the chords in the bass clef with your left hand, also using fingers 1, 3, and 5. Play the chords with both hands as written. Experiment with moving the chords around the keyboard by playing them in otheroctaves.CFGFun-xercise 2 Learn to play the following chord progression. As above, start with the right hand, thenthe left, then together. (Notice that the right hand moves about, while the left handstays in one place.) Repeat several times without breaking to make an uninterrupted loop. Practice until you can play it memorized.CFGF

Major Triads 2The Three Jelly Sandwiches: A, D, ENothing takes us back to the good ol’ days quite like a delicious jelly sandwich. Is it nutritional?Is it dessert? Nobody knows for sure. Either way, it casts a spell on our taste buds. “Jellysandwich” major triads are three-note major chords with a black key in the middle. Thismakes the color combination white-black-white—like a beautiful grape jelly here are three of these chords: A, D and E. Making these chords is easy! Once you find theroot, put your fingers in position like you are going to make a vanilla chord. Then add the “jelly”by moving your middle finger up to the black key on the right.Fun-xercise 1 Play the right hand, then the left, then together. Always use fingers 1, 3, and 5. Experiment with moving the chords around the keyboard by playing them in otheroctavesADEFun-xercise 2 Learn to play the following chord progression. Repeat several times without breaking to make an uninterrupted loop. Practice until you can play it memorized.ADED

Major Triads 3The Three Oreos: Ab, Db, EbHistory tells us that since its invention in 1912, no one has ever turned down an Oreo cookie.The groundbreaking marriage of cookie and cream creates the ultimate flavor explosion!“Oreo” major triads are three-note major chords with black keys on the outside and a whitekey in the middle. This black-white-black combination looks like an irresistible re are three of these chords: Ab, Db and Eb. These are the same letters as the jelly sandwichchords, but they’ve all been flatted! Here is one way of making an Oreo chord:1.2.3.4.5.Start by making a jelly sandwich A chordSlide the root down one half-step (from A to Ab)Slide the 3rd down one half-step (from C# to C)Slide the 5th down one half-step (from E to Eb)Notice that you just changed the colors from white-black-white to the opposite colors,black-white-black!6. Repeat this method to change the D and E jelly sandwiches to Db and Eb Oreos!This is Already Getting Old-xercise 1 Play the right hand, then the left, then together. Always use fingers 1, 3, and 5. Experiment with moving the chords around the keyboard by playing them in otheroctavesAbDbEb

This is Already Getting Old-xercise 2 Learn to play the following chord progression. Repeat several times without breaking to make an uninterrupted loop. Practice until you can play it memorized.AbDbEbDb