Chord V7 – The Dominant 7th
Chord V7 – Dominant 7th The dominant chord (V) was introduced at grade 5. Chord V7 is also known as the “dominant 7th” chord. It is built from the dominant …
Chord Inversions
Chord Inversions The simplest way to write a chord is as a triad. A triad is a three-note chord. A chord written like this has its notes as close together …
Transposing by a 4th or 5th
In this lesson we will learn how to move a tune up or down by the interval of a perfect 4th or perfect 5th. This is the interval of transposition …
Compound Intervals
Compound Intervals You should already know how to work out the interval (quality and number) between any two notes that are an octave apart or less. If you need to …
Irregular Time Signatures
Regular Time All time signatures are either regular or irregular. Regular time signatures have 2, 3 or 4 beats per bar, and the top number is only ever 2, 3, …
The Alto Clef
The alto clef is a type of C clef. It’s a clef which tells you where middle C is located on the stave. (It’s not the only C clef – …
Setting Words to a Rhythm
In this lesson we will look at how to set words to a rhythm. This question sometimes comes up in the Trinity Grade 4 Music Theory Exam. Stressed Syllables The …
Intervals in the Alto Clef
Working out intervals in the alto clef can be awkward if you don’t read the clef fluently. If you are not fast at working in alto clef, it’s usually better …
Intervals Between Any Two Notes
So far, we have only learned about intervals between the tonic (lower noter in the interval) and another note in the major or minor scale built on that note. In …
Chromatic Scales
The word “chromatic” actually means “colourful” – the scales are very colourful since they use ALL 12 different notes available in one octave, instead of just 7 of them! The …