Basic Music Theory for Adult Beginner-Level Piano Players
With emphasis on half steps and whole steps
by Lawrence Martin
[This is the Table of Contents and Introduction only. FOR THE FULL SYLLABUS PLEASE GO TO www.lakesidepress.com/PianoSyllabus.pdf]
Text explanations copyright 2019–2020 BY Lawrence Martin
Figures in the Syllabus are from the Internet, either in public domain or otherwise with full attribution.
Cover: First four measures of Minuet in G, from the Clavier Book of Anna Magdalena Bach. For centuries this famous piece was assumed to be by Johann Sebastian Bach, but authorship is now attributed to Christian Petzold (1677–1733), a Bach contemporary. For more on this piece, see Appendix C.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Half Steps and Whole Steps. 1
Section 2: Music Scales — Definition of Major and Minor Scales. 5
Section 3: Music Scales — Relation of Major to Minor 13
Section 4: More on Scales and Modes. 17
Section 5: Music Intervals. 22
Section 6: Tritones, Compound Intervals, and Interval Inversions. 28
Section 7: Three-Note Chords: Major, Minor & Diminished. 36
Section 8: Three-Note Chord Inversions. 43
Section 9: Four-Note Chords: Sevenths. 47
Section 10: More on Seventh Chords — 3-Note Sevenths and Inversions. 50
Section 11: Chords in the Bass Clef. 53
Section 12: Chords in Lead Sheets and Song Sheets. 58
Section 13: Chord Progressions. 63
Appendix A: Circle of Fifths. 77
Appendix B. Music Modes Explained. 84
Appendix C: Q & A on Petzold’s Minuet in G.. 96
Appendix D: Q & A on Clementi Sonatina Op. 36, №1. 98
Appendix E: Skill Levels of Piano Players — What Level Are You?. 102
Additional Recommended Resources. 106
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions. 111
Introduction
Music theory is a huge subject, one whose study can become quite complex. Basic Music Theory for Adult Beginner-Level Piano Players covers the subject selectively. The emphasis, as stated in the subtitle, is on the one aspect I believe MOST USEFUL for adults who wish to review some basic music theory: half steps and whole steps. (Some sources use the term semitones for whole steps and half tones for half steps; in this syllabus I will stick with half steps and whole steps.)
This syllabus does not cover some other important aspects of basic music theory, such as note durations, rhythm and time signatures. After the appendices you will find a list of Additional Recommended Resources related to basic music theory, for those who wish to delve further.
In studying music theory, I have been surprised and confounded that most written materials on the subject (books, monographs, websites) tend to under-emphasize the concept of half steps and whole steps. It’s surprising, because the simple method of counting half and whole steps can enhance understanding of music scales, chords and intervals, as well as “music keys” and “modes.”
I am a beginner-level player, not a trained pianist. This might be considered the ultimate ‘chutzpah’, to write a music theory syllabus when not a true musician. However, it’s not as crazy as it sounds. First, I am a professional writer, with 20 books to date, plus two other syllabuses on music theory, one for the ukulele and one for the Native American flute. Both are free and available online.
http://www.lakesidepress.com/UkeSyllabus.pdf
http://www.lakesidepress.com/NAFSyllabus.pdf
Second, as a beginner-level piano player and student of music theory, I recognize the confusion often generated by experts who write on the subject. I think the confusion arises because experts often don’t realize what beginners don’t know, and they don’t go to proper lengths to explain the subject. A good example of this is in the area of music modes. (See Appendix B for my explanation of modes.) Going to “proper lengths” in explaining music theory to beginner-level players should include repetition, questions with answers, and audio examples, and I have incorporated these elements into each section of the syllabus.
In summary, this syllabus is for a specific audience, adults who consider themselves at the beginner to near-intermediate level and seek a better understanding of music theory, specifically scales, chords, intervals, keys and modes. If you’re not sure what level you’re at, check out Appendix E. Of course, players of any skill level are welcome to peruse this syllabus; just keep in mind that it’s basic theory, stuff an advanced player probably knows backwards and forwards.
FOR THE FULL SYLLABUS PLEASE GO TO www.lakesidepress.com/PianoSyllabus.pdf
