Overview
In this module, we will use the piano keyboard to learn how notes are spaced using half steps and whole steps. Using these distances, we will explore how musicians build one of the most important patterns in Western music: the major scale.
Objectives
By the end of this module you should be able to:
- Identify half steps and whole steps on the keyboard
- Name black keys using sharps and flats
- Construct a major scale using the pattern W–W–H–W–W–W–H
Key Terms
- Half Step
- The distance from one key on the piano to the very next key.
- Whole Step
- A distance equal to two half steps.
- Sharp (♯)
- An accidental that raises a note by a half step.
- Flat (♭)
- An accidental that lowers a note by a half step.
- Accidental
- The name for the group of symbols that includes sharps and flats.
- Major Scale
- A scale built using the pattern whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half (W–W–H–W–W–W–H).