Primo Theory Level 1
Primo Theory Level 1
Primo Theory Level 1
Level 1
Acknowledgments
Throughout the writing of this series, I have been the happy and grateful recipient of much friendship, advice, and support. I wish to thank all of those who had a hand in the making of this series. First and foremost, thank you to God from whom all blessings flow. Thank you to my colleagues at ADMTA who gave their time in various capacities; in particular, to Sheree Naquin who has supported this effort in so many ways from the very beginning, when this series was still just a dream, all the way to its completion, and to Roberta Gober and Susan Marschinke for generously taking the time to carefully review and critique substantial portions of this series; to Natalie Naquin for proofing this series and who brought to the task a thorough mastery of the musical materials; to Robert Poskevich for his expertise in creating the apps for this series; and finally, to my Mom and Dad, who have always loved and supported me unconditionally.
The QR Codes
The QR codes found throughout this series can only be read by using a smart phone or pad which has a QR code reader app installed. If you dont have a QR code reader and dont know where to get one, just follow these directions: Step 1 With your mobile device, open your App Store (iPhone), Market (Android), Marketplace (Windows Mobile), or App World (Blackberry). Step 2 Search for QR reader and download and install any one of the apps available. There are free or paid versions. Read the reviews and star ratings to decide which is best for you. Once installed, its ready to go. Step 3 To scan a QR code, activate the app and center the QR code in the viewfinder as if you are going to take a picture of it. Adjust the distance if necessary. Some code readers scan the code automatically when its in view, and some require you to press a button. Step 4 The app should load in a few seconds. If you want to bookmark the app in your web browser for later use, follow the instructions on your particular code reader on how to switch to your web browser. If, after you read these instructions, you are still unsure what to do, dont give up! Just go to www.primotheory.com for a video tutorial or email robert@primopublishing.com
Online Resources
Be sure to visit www.primotheory.com or www.mytheoryapp.com to find links to an ever-growing list of supplemental materials for each level. Throughout the text you will find directions given as follows: PrimoTheory.com Resources Level 7 Page 10
This means to go to the website primotheory.com where you will be taken to a page containing a Resources link. From there just follow the linksclick on Resources, which will take you to a menu with all the volume levels; click on Level 7, which will take you to a page listing Level 7 resources by page number; finally, click on Page 10 to find the desired resource.
Contents
Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Section 6 Section 7 Section 8 Section 9 Flash Cards
The Keyboard The Music Alphabet The Staff Steps and Skips Drawing Notes The Treble and Bass Clef Ear Training Time Signatures Rests Musical Symbols and Terms
page 6 8 13 17 26 31 41 43 47 55
and 3.
1.
2.
LOW
Middle
HIGH
On the piano... 3. With your left hand, play a 2 black key group on the left side of the keyboard. These are LOW sounding keys. 4. With your right hand, play a 2 black key group on right side of the keyboard. These are HIGH sounding keys.
5.
On the piano, play the lowest 2 black key group (on the left side). From this group, play each 2 black key group moving to the highest 2 black key group (to the right). Notice that the sounds get higher. On the piano, play the highest 3 black key group (on the right side). From this group, play each 3 black key group moving to the lowest 3 black key group (to the left). Notice that the sounds get lower. Which way is the arrow pointing? Circle up or down under each keyboard.
6.
7.
up down
8.
up down
up down
There are 7 letters in the music alphabet: A B C D E F G FORWARD with the alphabet is UP.
A B C D E F G
1. 2.
________
Write the letters of the music alphabet. The first letter is given. A Write the music alphabet backwards (down) starting from G. G start here
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
3.
4.
Practice saying the music alphabet backwards starting on G. Repeat until it becomes easy. Fill in the missing letters. Forward
A B C D A B A B
______ ______
5.
Backward
G F E D G F G G
______ ______
F G
B A
D E F G D E
______
D C B A
______
______
______
E D
B A
FGAB
CDE
Note to Teacher: At the keyboard, explain the key names to the student using the following visual images. The F G A B group Walking forward (to the right), you approach grandmas housethe big house. (Show the F G A B keys surrounding the 3 black key group.) You get to the Front door (play the F key and explain that front starts with F). Grandma greets you as you enter (play the G key grandma starts with G). She takes you to the kitchen for some of her Apple pie (demonstrate A as above). After you finish the pie you stand looking out the Back door (demonstrate B). The C D E group Looking out at the backyard you see a dog housethe small house. (Show the C D E keys surrounding the 2 black key group.) The Cat (demonstrate C) is sitting just outside the back door waiting to have some of that apple pie. The Dog is sleeping in his house (show that the D key is in the middle of the 2 black key group). But the big surpriseyou see an Elephant (show E) at the edge of the yard! Assignment 6. Have the student recite the story (or a variation thereof), in his or her own words, playing the appropriate keys to demonstrate the story elements.
10
7.
Color the Keys 8. Circle all the 2 black key groups. Write C D E on the correct white keys. Color all Cs blue. Color all Ds purple. Color all Es red.
9.
Circle all the 3 black key groups. Write F G A B on the correct white keys. Color all Fs orange. Color all Gs yellow. Color all As green. Color all Bs light blue.
10.
11
11.
12.
Label the keys that match the three letters given in each row.
D F A C G B G C E
13.
Draw a line from each letter to the correct key nearest to it.
Note: When the alphabet goes UP from G, the next letter (or key) is A. C D E F G A B
14.
D E F G
______
______
______
B C D E
______
______
C D
______
______
______
12
Say the alphabet backwards. Say it as you read from the page and also try it from memory. Repeat until you can do it with a steady pace. G F E D C B A
Up and Down the Alphabet There are eight music alphabets below, each beginning on a different letter. Use these alphabets to practice assignments 16 and 17. A B C D B C D C D D
Going UP
E E E E E
F F F F F F
G G G G G G G
A A A A A A A
B B B B B B
Going DOWN
C C C C C
D D E D E F D E F G
Going UP the Alphabet 16. Start with A on the left and say the music alphabet going UP (forward). Start with B on the left and say the music alphabet going UP. Continue the same drill with C on the left, and so on. Going DOWN the Alphabet 17. Start with A on the right and say the music alphabet going DOWN (backward). Start with B on the right and say the music alphabet going DOWN. Continue the same drill with C on the right, and so on. Assignments 16 and 17 can be practiced away from the piano and at the piano, playing the keys as you say the letters.
13
LINES
1.
SPACES
2.
5 4 3 2 1
3.
4 3 2 1
4.
14
A note is a symbol that represents a musical sound. The WHOLE NOTE is shaped like a hollow oval: When a note is between the lines of the staff it is called a space note.
44
SPACE notes
44
LINE notes
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
15
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16
1.
2.
3. 4.
is called a
____________________________________________________
445
LINES space 3
This is a It has
___________________________
. spaces.
_________
lines and
_________
5.
4444444
SPACES Draw a whole note on the correct line or space line 1 line 5 space 4
Number the lines and spaces on the staff. Start at the bottom.
6.
456-456-456-456-456-4566
line 4 space 2
17
1.
Start on any note in the middle of the keyboard. With any finger, step from white key to white key going UP. Say the key names as you play. Write the music alphabet going forward UP the steps.
2.
A
3
. Name the key a step UP (to the right) from each given key.
G C F B E A D G
. Write the letter name a step UP from each given letter name.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
18
Stepping DOWN on the Keyboard On the keyboard, when you step DOWN you go to the LEFT.
C C DE FG
5.
Start on any note in the middle of the keyboard. With any finger, step from white key to white key going DOWN. Say the key names as you play.
G
6.
. Write the letter name a step LOWER than the given letter name.
E
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Stepping UP and DOWN on the Keyboard 9. The teacher directs the student to go up or down the keyboard by steps. The student should name the keys as he or she plays. The teacher should call out for the student to change direction from any given area. The student changes direction accordingly, continuing to name the keys.
19
Stepping UP on the Staff On the staff, notes which step UP move two ways: LINE to SPACE or
10.
11.
Stepping DOWN on the Staff On the staff, notes which step DOWN move two ways: LINE to SPACE SPACE to LINE or
12.
13.
20
SKIPS on the Keyboard A SKIP on the keyboard skips one white key or one letter name. UP a skip DOWN a skip
CDE FGA
14.
A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A
15.
Name the key a skip UP from each named key. Draw an X on the keys you are skipping. The first example has been done for you.
G B D A E B F
16.
Name the key a skip DOWN from each named key. Draw an X on the keys you are skipping. The first example has been done for you.
A E B F C G
F
17.
A
18.
______
______
______
______
______
______
Write the letter name a skip DOWN from each given letter.
C
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
21
SKIPS on the Staff On the staff, notes which SKIP up can appear two ways:
19.
20.
Here are notes which SKIP down on the staff: LINE to LINE
21.
22.
22
LOW When two notes are a step or skip apart, one of them will be higher. (staff taken away) Which note looks higher? Which note looks lower?
456444 4564544
4564454
higher lower
23.
24.
23
Notes that sound the same on the staff will appear on the same line or space. The term pitch is used to describe a musical sound. Every key on the keyboard produces a different pitch. Every line and space on a staff represents a different pitch. Notes which have the same sound are the same pitch. or
45644 45644
same LINE same sound (pitch)
25.
456-456-456-465-465-4656
Draw a whole note which repeats the same sound (pitch) as the note given. The second note of each group moves up, down or stays the same. Circle the correct word for each pair. up down same up down same up down same up down same up down same up down same up down same up down same up down same up down same
26.
4456-445-445-45566-4465 4456-445-445-45566-4465
24
REVIEW: Section 4
. Name the key a step UP (to the right) from each given key.
B E A D G C F
F
2
. Write the letter names stepping UP from each given letter name.
______ ______
A
3
______
______
______
______
______
______
. Write the letter name a step DOWN from the given letter name.
F
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
5.
Name the key a skip UP from each named key. Draw an X on the keys you are skipping.
A E B F C G
6.
C ______
7.
______
B ______
F ______
Name the key a skip DOWN from each named key. Draw an X on the keys you are skipping.
C G D A E B
25
From each note given, draw a second note according to the description.
STEP up
SKIP down
STEP down
SAME note
SKIP up
STEP up
SKIP up
SAME note
STEP down
SKIP up
SKIP down
STEP down
SKIP down
STEP up
SAME note
STEP up
SKIP down
STEP down
9.
4456-445-445-45566-4465
up down same up down same up down same up down same up down same
The second note of each group moves up, down or stays the same. Circle the correct word for each pair.
4456-445-445-45566-4465
up down same up down same up down same up down same up down same
26
It consists of a note head with a stem. The note head is not filled in. stem note head
wrong
2.
3.
Draw half notes with up stems. Make sure the note head fits between the lines.
27
correct
4. 5.
wrong
Trace the note heads. Add DOWN stems to each note head. Draw six half notes with DOWN stems.
6.
Draw half notes with down stems. Make sure the note head fits between the lines.
MEMORY AID: Replace the lowercase d and p in doctor pepper with half notes: This is a QUARTER NOTE.
octor epper
It consists of a note head with a stem. The note head is filled in.
Fill in each note head. Add an up stem to each. Fill in each note head. Add a down stem to each.
8.
28
9.
up stem
10.
up stem
up stem
down stem
up stem
11.
down stem
up stem
up stem
Some of the stems are placed on the wrong side of the note head. Draw an X through the notes with incorrect stem placement.
Stem Length
The stem should extend three more lines or spaces from the note head.
4555664
12.
The length of the stem should equal the length of three more note heads.
4555664444444444
For each note head: A) Draw lightly three note heads stacked ABOVE it, and B) draw an UP STEM reaching to the top of the stack.
13.
4555664444444444
For each note head: A) Draw lightly three note heads stacked BELOW it, and B) draw a DOWN STEM reaching to the bottom of the stack. Add down stems only to each note head.
15.
29
14.
4444444444444454
In each measure, draw a half note on the line or space indicated. Use only up stems.
line 2 space 2 line 1 space 1 line 3 space 2
45554444664
correct WRONG!
4444
h h h h
middle line
4444
or
h h h h
46 64
30
Checklist for drawing stems: Does the stem go up or down? On which side of the note head does the stem go? How long is the stem?
16.
4555664444444444456 4555664444444444456
Add a stem to each note head. Draw an X on the notes with incorrect stem placement. This is a DOTTED HALF NOTE It appears as a half note with a dot added to the right of the note head.
17.
4555664444444444444445
dot
18.
Add a dot to each half note so that it becomes a dotted half note.
31
The treble clef marks the G line on the staff. G line It is also called the G clef.
On the keyboard, middle C is the C located closest to the middle of the keyboard. Middle C is found on a ledger line BELOW the treble staff. Middle C is a line note. ledger line
1. 2. 3.
_________________________________
.
________
The treble clef marks the G line on the staff. Which line number is it? Draw a whole note on the G line marked by the treble clef. Draw a around the middle Cs. Draw a around the Gs.
4.
Teachers note: The following drill should be repeated at various times. 5. On the keyboard, play middle C. Say aloud, Middle C! Point to the middle C on the staff at the top of this page. Say aloud, Middle C on the staff! It is BELOW the treble staff.
32
`444444
E G B D F
`4444444444446445 `4444444444446445
7.
6.
`4444446444456446 `44444
G E F B D E B G F
Draw half notes on the lines above each letter. Remember the stem rules.
`4444444444446445
8.
`4444444444446445
9.
33
`4444446444456446
F C E A F C E A F
Treble Clef Lines and Spaces 10. Write the letter names of the line and space notes.
`4444444444446445 `4444444444446445
Draw half notes on the lines and spaces indicated. space E line F space A line E space C line G space F line D space C line B space E line G space A line F
11.
`4444446444456446 `4444446444456446
34
The bass clef marks the F line on the staff. line 4 F line It is also called the F clef.
Middle C is found on a ledger line ABOVE the bass staff. Middle C is a line note.
12. 13.
_________________________________
.
________
The bass clef marks the F line on the staff. Which line number is it? Draw a whole note on the F line marked by the bass clef.
14.
15.
Draw a
Teachers note: The following drill should be repeated at various times. 16. On the keyboard, play middle C (the C closest to the middle of the keyboard). Say aloud, Middle C! Point to the middle C on the staff at the top of this page. Say aloud, Middle C on the staff! It is ABOVE the bass staff.
35
1444444
G B D F A
14444444444446445 14444444444446445
18.
17.
14444446444456446 144444
G A F B D A B D G
19.
14444444444446445
36
14444444444446445
20.
14444446444456446
A G C E G C E A G
14444444444446445 14444444444446445
Draw half notes on the lines and spaces indicated. Remember the stem rules. space E line F space A line G space G line D space C line A space G line B space E line F space A line G
22.
37
You can easily remember where middle C is on the treble staff because the center of this ball shape marks where the middle C ledger line is placed.
Middle C Notice how the bass clef seems to hang from the top line of the staff, almost as if it were reaching up to grab middle C!
23.
38
G Clef F Clef
G line Middle C
G line Middle C
Circle the treble clefs that are placed on the staff correctly.
3.
Draw a
39
5.
G Clef F Clef
Middle C F Line
Middle C F Line
Circle the bass clefs that are placed on the staff correctly.
7.
8.
40
NOTE: Refer to this checklist when completing assignments 11 and 12. Checklist for drawing notes: Does the stem go up or down? On which side of the note head does the stem go? How long is the stem? On which side of the note head is a dot placed?
9.
10.
11.
41
Your teacher will play keys which sound either high or low. Circle the correct answer for each pitch.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
high low
3.
high low
high low
high low
high low
Your teacher will play groups of pitches which move up or down. Circle the correct answer for each group.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
up down
4.
up down
up down
up down
up down
Your teacher will play two pitches which sound the same or different. Circle the correct answer for each pair.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
same different
same different
same different
same different
same different
42
Assignment 2
high low
1.
high low
2.
high low
3.
high low
4.
high low
5.
high low
high low
high low
high low
high low
Assignment 3
up down
1.
up down
2.
up down
3.
up down
4.
up down
5.
up down
up down
up down
up down
up down
Assignment 4
Do the tones sound the same or different? Circle the correct answer.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
same different
1.
same different
2.
same different
3.
same different
4.
same different
5.
same different
same different
same different
same different
same different
43
`5444-444-444-=
measure measure measure bar line bar line
A time signature is placed at the beginning of a piece of music, to the right of the clef sign.
Example:
`55
4 4
4 4
`54
4 4
The top number shows how many beats in each measure. The bottom number shows the note value that gets one beat.
There are four beats per measure. The quarter note ( q ) gets one beat.
1.
Measure
6-45-6
4
Time Signature
2.
4 4
6-45-6
4
44
The note values for time signatures with 4as the bottom number: Whole Note Dotted Half Note Half Note Quarter Note
4 beats 3 beats 2 beats 1 beat
Rhythm Drills in $4Time 3. Clap the rhythms as you count aloud. Repeat each exercise until you can clap and count at a steady pace.
4 4 4 4
4 4
4 4
4 4
4 4
45
4.
In the exercises below the counts are not provided as above. Clap the rhythms as you count aloud.
144455-44455-44455-44456-= 144455-44455-44455-44456-=
4 4 3 4 3 4 3 4
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
4 4
Rhythm Drills in #4Time 5. Clap the rhythms as you count aloud. Repeat each exercise until you can clap and count at a steady pace.
3 4
6.
In the exercises below the counts are not provided as above. Clap the rhythms as you count aloud.
144455-44455-44455-44456-= 144455-44455-44455-44456-=
3 4
3 4
46
7.
1544444444444444444-=
8.
4 4
Write the correct number of beats each note or group of notes gets in $4time. = beat(s). = beat(s). = beat(s). = beat(s). = beat(s). = beat(s). = beat(s). = beat(s). Write the counts of each measure.
2 3 4
9.
4 4
3 4
3 4
Section 9 Rests
A rest is a symbol used to indicate silence for a certain length of time.
47
The whole rest is shaped like a solid rectangle. It hangs from line 4 of the staff.
line 4
3 2 1
44
1.
Write the measure counts below the whole notes and rests.
144456-44456-44456-44466-=
________
4 4
2. 3.
of the staff.
Circle the correctly placed whole rests. Hint: there are only two.
14445444444444444-=
4.
1456-456-456-456-456-456-=
48
The half rest is also shaped like a solid rectangle. It sits on line 3 of the staff.
line 3
2 1
44
Think of two eyes under a hat. Two counts for the (hat) half rest.
5.
Write the measure counts below each half note or half rest.
144456-44456-44456-44466-=
________
4 4
6. 7.
of the staff.
Circle the correctly placed half rests. Hint: there are only two.
14445444444444444-=
3
2 1
8.
1456-456-456-456-456-456-=
Remember: The whole rest and half rest share the 3rd space.
4
444
49
The quarter rest sits in the middle of the staff, between the top and bottom staff lines.
44 Q
9.
Write the measure counts under each note and rest. Check the time signature!
4 4
10.
Label each rest below: W for whole rest, H for half rest, and Q for quarter rest.
11.
4 4
4 4
3 4
Rhythm Drills: Notes and Rests in $4Time 12. Clap the rhythms as you count aloud. Repeat each exercise until you can clap and count at a steady pace.
50
4 4
4 4
4 4
Rhythm Drills: Notes and Rests in #4Time 13. Clap the rhythms as you count aloud. Repeat each exercise until you can clap and count at a steady pace.
3 4
3 4
Rhythm Drills: Notes and Rests in @4Time 14. Clap the rhythms as you count aloud. Repeat each exercise until you can clap and count at a steady pace.
51
144455-44455Q 44455-44456 Q -= 144455-44455Q 44455-44456 Q -= 144455Q 44455-44455Q 44456-= 144455Q 4 Q4455-44455Q 4Q4456-=
2 4 2 4 2 4
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
2 4
6-45-6 6-45-6
Q
4 4
Dotted Half Note Double Bar Line Half Rest Half Note Time Signature
6-45-6
Q
64-=
4 4
6-45-6 6-45-6
Q
Quarter Rest
52
2.
1544444444444444444-=
3.
4 4
Label each rest below: W for whole rest, H for half rest, and Q for quarter rest.
15444444444444454= Q Q Q
Write the correct number of beats each note or group of notes gets in $4time.
= = = =
4.
= = = =
5.
Write the correct number of beats each rest or group of rests gets in $4time.
= = =
QQ QQ
= = =
6.
53
LOW
HIGH
The 7 letters of the music alphabet A B C D E F G Think of the F G A B group as a big house. Think of the C D E group as a small house.
FGAB
CDE
44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44
or or
54
TREBLE Clef
LINE notes
BASS Clef
LINE notes
SPACE notes
SPACE notes
Half Note
2 beats
Quarter Note
1 beat
Whole Rest
4 beats
Half Rest
2 beats
Quarter Rest
1 beat
4444
h h h h
middle line
4444
On which side of the note head does the stem go? How long is the stem?
octor epper
4555664
h h h h
55
2 4
or
644 6-45-6
64-=
3 4 4 4
or
6-45-6
56
Time Signature Staff Measure Double Bar Line Bar Line Dotted Half Note Step Skip
Whole Note 4 Beats Whole Rest 4 Beats Half Note 2 Beats Half Rest 2 Beats Quarter Note 1 Beat Quarter Rest 1 Beat Treble Clef
or G Clef
Bass Clef
or F Clef