The Musical Alphabet and the Keyboard
Practice the seven letter names, keyboard landmarks, octaves, and half vs. whole steps.
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Questions Covered in This Set
11 cards to master
How many letter names does Western music use, and what are they?
Seven: A, B, C, D, E, F, G — after G you start over at A (there is no H).
How are the black keys grouped on a keyboard?
In alternating groups of two and groups of three, repeating over and over.
How do you find C on the keyboard?
C is the white key immediately to the LEFT of any group of two black keys.
How do you find F on the keyboard?
F is the white key immediately to the LEFT of any group of three black keys.
How many white and black keys are in one repetition of the pattern?
Seven white keys + five black keys = twelve keys total, then the picture repeats.
What is an octave?
The distance from one note to the next note of the same name (eight white keys counting both ends); the upper note vibrates at exactly twice the frequency.
What is a half step?
The distance from any key to the very next key, black or white — e.g. C→C#, E→F, B→C.
What is a whole step?
Two half steps, e.g. C→D (hopping over C#).
Which white-key pairs have no black key between them?
E–F and B–C — the 'stuck together' pairs, both half steps.
What is the step pattern from C up to the next C?
Whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.
What does 'skipping by thirds' look like starting on C?
C E G B D F A C — the same pattern as notes on the lines of a staff.
