Class 1

Great class today. I'm looking forward to the semester. Here's what we covered today:

• Key signatures
• The circle of 5ths
• Simple rhythmic dictation

Remember, the order of flats is BEADGCF. The order of sharps is just the opposite, FCGDAEB. For flats, you know what key you're in by looking at the next to last flat (exception: one flat is the key of F). For sharps, you know what key you're in by taking the last sharp and then moving up one note (just remember to take into account whether the note you're moving to is itself a sharped note).

The circle of fifths looks like this:

This diagram tells us the order of key signatures by adding sharps (moving clockwise) or adding flats (moving counter clockwise). The three key signatures at the bottom of the circle are the enharmonic keys, meaning they have two names.

Next class, we will look at minor key signatures and begin learning the intervals -- aurally and written. We will look at the homework I gave you and talk about scales. I trust that this is coming naturally to you. If not, shoot me an email at jstewart@bellevue.org and we'll talk. God bless.

P.S. Here's a link to the homework.