3 The black keys

As mentioned earlier, the white notes on keyboard instruments comprise a 7-note pitch system that is part of a larger 12-note one. You can reconfirm this by looking at Figure 6, which shows a single octave of a keyboard. The seven white keys (C, D, E, F, G, A and B) and five black keys together make a twelve-note collection. (Note the repetition of the C isn’t included in this count.)

Each of the black notes has two names: one ending in the word sharp and the other in the word flat. Black notes are sometimes named with reference to the white notes immediately below (to the left of) them. Following this logic, the black key with C immediately below it is C sharp (C♯), and the black key with D immediately below it is D sharp (D♯). These designations – including F sharp, G sharp and A sharp – constitute one of the sets of labels on the black keys in Figure 6.

One way to remember the meaning of the word ‘sharp’ is to think of C sharp as ‘higher’ or ‘brighter’ than C.

Maximise

Figure 6 The black keys, labelled with both sharps and flats

Show description|Hide description

This figure shows the keys of the keyboard (from one C to another an octave above it). All the keys are identified. The white keys are labelled in ascending order as C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. Each of the black keys is labelled with two names: in ascending order, the first is C sharp and D flat, the second is D sharp and E flat, the third is F sharp and G flat, the fourth is G sharp and A flat, and the fifth is A sharp and B flat.

Figure 6 The black keys, labelled with both sharps and flats

The black notes are also named with reference to the white keys immediately above (to the right of) them. Thus, the black key with D immediately above it is named D flat (D♭), the black key with E immediately above it is named E flat (E♭) and so on (G flat, A flat and B flat). These designations constitute the other set of labels on the black keys in Figure 6. Which designation gets used for a given note – F♯ or G♭, for instance – depends on the musical context.

One way to remember the meaning of the word ‘flat’ is to think of D flat as ‘lower’ or more ‘dispirited’ than D.

In staff notation, a sharp sign (♯) immediately to the left of a note indicates that the note should be raised: it turns C into C sharp, F into F sharp and so on. Similarly, a flat sign (♭) immediately to the left of a note indicates that the note should be lowered: it turns D into D flat, A into A flat and so on. The sharp and flat signs are called accidentals. The next activity connects these terms and symbols to sounds and the ability to make them.

Activity 5

Timing: Allow around 60 minutes

Play the patterns outlined in Examples 3 and 4, using your right hand to play the notes in the treble clef and your left hand to play the ones in the bass clef. Then play each pattern while saying or singing the relevant note names out loud. Don’t forget to include the word ‘sharp’ or ‘flat’ where appropriate.

Work towards realising the exercises at a steady, even pace, but don’t worry if you don’t get to this point within the allotted time. As with other activities, it may be helpful to come back to this one more than once.

Maximise

Example 3 Exercise for left and right hands using sharps

Show description|Hide description

This example shows a six-note pattern that is first played by the right hand, starting on the C sharp above middle C, and then by the left hand an octave lower. The notes are C sharp, E, G sharp, F sharp, D sharp, and C sharp. The right-hand fingering is 1, 3, 5, 4, 2, 1. The left-hand fingering is 5, 3, 1, 2, 4, 5.

Example 3 Exercise for left and right hands using sharps

Download this audio clip.Audio player: Example 3 (audio)

Download

Example 3 (audio) Exercise for left and right hands using sharps

Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Maximise

Example 4 Longer exercise for left and right hands using flats

Show description|Hide description

This example shows an undulating thirteen-note pattern for the right hand, followed by a similar pattern for the left hand. The right-hand pattern begins on the second E flat above middle C and is as follows: E flat, D flat, B flat, A flat, G flat, A flat, B flat, D flat, E flat, D flat, B flat, A flat, G flat. The fingering is 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The left-hand pattern begins on the B flat below middle C and is as follows: B flat, A flat, G flat, E flat, D flat, E flat, G flat, A flat, B flat, A flat, G flat, E flat D flat. The fingering is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Example 4 Longer exercise for left and right hands using flats

Download this audio clip.Audio player: Example 4 (audio)

Download

Example 4 (audio) Longer exercise for left and right hands using flats

Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Comment

You should be able to determine the notes above with the help of the figures or mnemonics introduced earlier in the chapter. You may also want to check against the following lists. As you get better at reading staff notation, you will find it easier to read the notation than the lists of notes given below.

Example 3 RH: C♯, E, G♯, F♯, D♯, C♯; LH: C♯, E, G♯, F♯, D♯, C♯.

Example 4 RH: E♭, D♭, B♭, A♭, G♭, A♭, B♭, D♭, E♭, D♭, B♭, A♭, G♭ LH: B♭, A♭, G♭, E♭, D♭, E♭, G♭, A♭, B♭, A♭, G♭, E♭, D♭