Week 7

Hello Class,

This week we study relationships between major and minor scales. Each major scale is related to a natural minor scale and they both share the same key signature. The minor scale that shares the key signature with a major scale is said to that major scale's "relative minor". The truth is that each time you see a key signature, it might refer to a major key or a minor key. The reading will reveal how you can determine which interpretation is appropriate for a given context. In addition to the relative relationships the reading discusses a second type of relationship known as "parallel minor". Things start to get a little tricky as we get more involved in the wonderful world of music theory.

We are starting the second half of the quarter. Only six weeks left! If you have been keeping up with the weekly pace, you should be familiar with the following topics.

• names of note on the staff
• names of note on the keyboard (or guitar)
• half steps/whole steps
• constructing major scales
• identifying major key signatures
• constructing natural minor scales
• constructing harmonic minor scales
• constructing melodic minor scales

WOW!, you're a genius.

The required test on minor key signatures is posted this week.

There are also an optional JavaScript quiz on minor key signatures. If these things work on your computer, you can get even more practice in recognizing minor key signatures.

Links for Week 7

Reading:

• Chapter 11 from the Textbook
• Lecture 7

The required test (test 9) is accessed from the "Quizzes" area. Test 9 is due on *week7_fri*.

(Optional) JavaScript quiz.

• Practice Minor Key Signatures

Have fun,