1. Chapter 2: Rhythm and Pitch

2. Key Terms Pitch Scale Interval Octave Diatonic scale Chromatic scale
Flat
Sharp
Half step
Whole step
Playing in tune

3. Pitch Aspects of pitch Definite or indefinite High or low
Most music draws from a pool of definite pitches, or a scale
The distance between any two notes is called an interval

4. Intervals Octave Special interval relationship
Upper note seems to duplicate lower note, though its pitch is higher
Very smooth blend derives from overtone series; octave is the first overtone
Men and women singing a tune together normally sing in octaves

5. Intervals Step Step is a small interval
Usually the distance between adjacent notes of a scale
Two sizes: half step and whole step
Scale steps are specific notes of a scale
e.g., scale step 1 (do) or scale step 5 (sol)
Suggests a ladder; discrete pitches, not entire pitch continuum

6. Intervals Half step (semitone)
The smallest interval in most Western music
The interval between any two consecutive notes of the chromatic scale
On a keyboard, the distance between any note and the note nearest to it, black or white

7. Intervals Whole step The most common interval found in diatonic scales
Same distance as two consecutive half steps

8. Scales
Collections of pitches used to construct melodies or entire pieces
Diatonic scales typical of Western music
Contain seven notes in each octave
Chromatic scale uses all notes on the piano keyboard
Contains twelve notes in each octave
Modern music and world music use many other scales

9. Diatonic Scales Contain seven different pitches
Seven letter names (ABCDEFG) originated with diatonic scales
Octave (eighth note of scale) repeats the starting letter name
Contains both whole steps (5) and half steps (2); asymmetrical
Good examples include major scales (do re mi fa sol la ti do), minor scales, and church modes

10. Diatonic Scales

11. Chromatic Scale
Contains twelve different pitches; uses all black and white keys in each octave
Consists entirely of half steps; symmetrical
Requires sharps or flats to notate black keys
Developed later than diatonic scales, filling in whole steps with half steps

12. Chromatic Scale

13. Sharps and Flats The flat lowers a note by a half step
The sharp raises a note by a half step

14. Diatonic vs. Chromatic

15. Scales and Instruments
Western instruments are designed to play diatonic and chromatic scales
Musicians learn to play in tune
Many instrument can bend pitches
A little: flute, clarinet, saxophone, guitar
A lot: voice, trombone, violin, cello, timpani
Some cannot
Piano, harpsichord, xylophone

16. Listening
Chromatic scale
Diatonic scales
Non-Western scales