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Music Theory Cheat Sheet - Simply Piano

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MUSIC THEORY CHEAT SHEET

A full-sized piano has 88 keys. The distance between two keys that Treble Clef Tips:
are next to each other, with no other The 4 spaces from bottom to top
The keys are named according to the keys between them, is called a spell out the word FACE.
first 7 letters of the alphabet which half step.
repeat themselves as you go up and Lines from bottom to top: EGBDF
Mnemonic: Every Good Boy Does
down the piano: A B C D E F G The distance of a whole step is equal Fine
to 2 half steps. Two notes that are a
E F
The distance between two keys with whole step apart have one key C D
A B
the same name is called an octave. between them. F G
E

Whole Step ½ Step ½ Step Whole Step


Bass Clef Tips:
Spaces from bottom to top: ACEG
Db Eb Gb Ab Bb
Mnemonic: All Cows Eat Grass
M
I
D
D
C# D# F# G# A#
Lines from bottom to top: GBDFA
L Mnemonic: Good Boys Do Fine Always
E

C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C D E G A
F
E D
C B
½ Step Whole Step Whole Step ½ Step A G

Octave

Sharps (#) indicate that you should


B
A
G
F

C
D
E
play a note half a step higher.
Middle C
A
B
C
Flats (b) indicate that you should
play a note half a step lower.
G
F
E
D
C
MUSIC THEORY CHEAT SHEET
A major third is the distance between two notes that are 2 whole steps apart. Note Durations & Rests
Reminder: A whole step is equal to 2 half steps. 2 whole steps = 4 half steps.
Time Signature
4 Beats Per Note Symbol Rest Symbol
2 Whole Steps 2 Whole Steps 2 Whole Steps Measure

Whole Note
(4 beats)
Db Eb Gb Ab Bb Db Eb Gb Ab Bb Db Eb Gb Ab Bb

C# D# F# G# A# C# D# F# G# A# C# D# F# G# A#

Half Note
C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A B (2 beats)

Major 3rd Major 3rd Major 3rd

Quarter Note
A minor third is the distance between two notes that are 1½ steps apart. (1 beat)
1½ Steps 1½ Steps 1½ Steps

Eighth Note
Db Eb Gb Ab Bb Db Eb Gb Ab Bb Db Eb Gb Ab Bb
(½ beat)

C# D# F# G# A# C# D# F# G# A# C# D# F# G# A#

Dotted
Quarter Note
C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A B (1½ beats)

Minor 3rd Minor 3rd Minor 3rd

A major triad (in root position) is made up of a major third + minor third. A minor triad (in root position) is made up of a minor third + major third.
C Major Triad D Major Triad Eb Major Triad C Minor Triad D Minor Triad

Db Eb Gb Ab Bb Db Eb Gb Ab Bb Db Eb Gb Ab Bb Db Eb Gb Ab Bb Db Eb Gb Ab Bb

C# D# F# G# A# C# D# F# G# A# C# D# F# G# A# C# D# F# G# A# C# D# F# G# A#

C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A B

Major 3rd Minor 3rd Major 3rd Minor 3rd Major 3rd Minor 3rd Minor 3rd Major 3rd Minor 3rd Major 3rd

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