Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

Finding the Tonic Note in a Major Scale with Flats

The tonic note of a flatted scale (the key,or the tonic note)is easy to determine using the key signature: the
second-to-the-last flat names the tonic or key.(The tonic note may be drawn in any octave.) In the exceptional
case of the scale with only B flat, it is necessary to memorize that as the key of F major. Be sure to notice if a
flat in the key signature will alter the pitch of the tonic note. For example:

Exercise 5—Class Exercise

Label the key and draw the tonic note for the following key signatures. (The letter name of the key and the tonic
note should be the same.)

Theory Trainer

Exercise 7aSharps, flats, and key signatures.

Exercise 6

Identify the key and the meter for the following pieces. Circle the notes that are affected by the key signature.
Write the consecutive counts below the melodies, then clap.

1. Theme from Lohengrin(R. Wagner)

Key _____________________ Meter _____________________

?

b

b

b b

b

b

b b bb bb

b

b

b

b

&b

b

b

b

b

b

b b

b

b

b bb

b b

b

b

b

b

b

b

MODULE 7

D flat A flat F major (2 tonics)

w

w

w

???w

b

b

b

b bbb

b

b

b

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