Composition (Trinity Grade 3)
Composing at Grade 3 For Trinity grade 3 music theory you may be asked to add a tune to a bass line, or add a bass line to a tune, …
Pitch & the Treble Clef
Staff Notation in Music Music is written down in a number of different ways around the world. In the West, most instruments use a method called staff notation. The music …
The Bass Clef
We’ve already learned about our first clef, the treble clef. For most low-pitched music (where most of it is lower than middle C), we use the bass clef. The bass …
Accidentals
In music theory, the term “accidentals” is used to describe some notes which have been slightly altered. Accidentals are the symbols which are placed before the note on the stave …
The Grand Staff
The notes on the treble and bass clefs staves all belong to the same “giant” stave which has 11 lines in total. This is called a “grand staff”. The middle …
Serial (12-Tone) Composition
12-Tone Serial Compositions Serialism is an Avant Garde composition technique that was invented in the 1920s by a composer called Schoenberg. In a serial or “12-tone” composition, the composer begins …
Lutheran Chorales
Lutheran Chorales are a type of religious hymn which were popular during the Baroque era. Before chorales were invented, religious music had always been sung in Latin in churches across …
Intervals – Can I Count Semitones?
Can I Count Semitones (half steps) to Work out Musical Intervals? Short answer: No. About once every few months or so I get an email from someone who has counted …
The Circle of 5ths
The Circle of Fifths The most useful tool in music theory is the circle of 5ths. This is a wheel or clock-like diagram which helps you to remember lots of different aspects …
Music Theory Diplomas
Music Theory Diplomas Grade 8 is just the beginning! If you’ve got to grade 8 (ABRSM or Trinity) in music theory (or in your instrument), you are now at the …