Unit 1: Elements Key

 Key note or tonic – central tone of a melodic line  Key/tonality– the presence of a central tone and a central chord and scale  After 1900 this “rule” was abandoned by may composers Key

 Scale – basic pitches of a piece of music arranged in order from low to high (1 octave).  Major and minor scales were the basic types from the late 1600s – 1900  Major scales – specific pattern of intervals between each tone  Half step – smallest interval  Whole step – twice as large as a half step Major Scale

 Minor scale – organization of notes that consists of 1 octave  Different from a major scale by the arrangement of whole and half steps.  Minor scales and triads create a darker tone color.  Major scales and triads create a brighter happier tone color. Minor Scale

 Key signature – distinguishes which major or minor scale a piece is based on.  A composer does not have to write a flat or sharp sign before each flatted or sharped note in the piece. (saving time and ink.) Key Signature

 Chromatic scale – all twelve tones of an octave  All tones are the same interval from each other (half step).  No definite key  Composers used to describe feels of grief, loss, and sorrow.  Since 1900 compositions have become independent from keys and now have a more chromatic nature Chromatic Scale

 Modulation – shifting from one key to another within the same piece.  Can modulate more than once  Changes mood and creates variety Modulation: Change of Key

 Tonic/home key – main key used within a composition  Usually begins and ends the piece  After 1900 this traditional system was ignored. Tonic Key