Grade 1 Music Theory, Unit 4, Lesson 4 of 4

Writing a note above the tonic

About 2 min to read, then 5 practice questions

Worked example: a 7th above D

In D major the 7th is C sharp
  1. Start on the tonic, counting the tonic as 1.
  2. Count up the letters and stop on the number asked for: 7 lands on C.
  3. Check the key. D major has C sharp, so the note is C sharp.

Starting the count on the note above the tonic lands one letter too high.

Quick check

When you count up from the tonic, which number does the tonic get?

No key signature? Write the sign

F major, no key signature: the flat is written in

With no key signature on the stave, write the sharp or flat yourself. In F major every B is B flat. So a 4th above F needs its flat written in front of the B.

Quick check

A 3rd above D, in D major, is:

Remember

  • Count up from the tonic as 1.
  • Stop on the number asked for.
  • Check the key. With no key signature, write the sharp or flat in.

Practise this: 5 questions, about 4 min

Answering from memory soon after reading is what makes it stick, so now is a good time.

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