The Chromatic Scale
With the inclusion of sharps and flats, there are 12 different notes within one octave, as shown in the following diagram. The notes E to F and B to C are always one semitone apart. A semitone is the smallest possible distance between two notes. All the other natural notes are a tone apart (two semitones). Sharps (#) and flats (b) are found between the notes that are a tone apart:
This is called the chromatic scale. It contains all the sharps (#’s) and flats (b’s) possible between one C note and its repeat an octave higher or lower. All the black notes have two names (enharmonic spellings). C sharp (C#) has the same position on the keyboard as D flat (Db). They are the same note but can have different names depending on what key you are playing in. The same applies to D# /Eb,F# /Gb, G# /Ab and A# /Bb.
By learning the chromatic scale, you will become more familiar with all the black notes . Many beginners think they are harder to play because their names contain sharps and flats, but they are just as easy to play as the white notes and are essential for playing in keys other than C major. Notice that only three fingers are required to play the chromatic scale. Once you memorize the fingering, the scale is simple to play.
Dotted Eighth Notes
As you know, a dot after a note increases its value by half. Thus a dotted eighth note is equal to three sixteenth notes, as shown in the diagrams. The dotted eighth note is often followed by a sixteenth note. Together they add up to one beat. The dotted eighth note is equivalent to the duration of three sixteenth notes.
The following example demonstrates the use of dotted eighth notes. Count out loud as you play, and be sure to keep the rhythms of the two hands independent.
Sometimes you will find the figure reversed, i.e., a sixteenth note followed by a dotted eighth note, as shown here.
Once again Count out loud as you play.
This piece uses both of the dotted eighth note rhythms you have just learned. It features a simple one beat left hand part which is repeated throughout. Using one note or chord under moving parts is called a drone. This technique is common in folk music and medieval music. The right hand part is quite tricky, so be patient with it and learn it one bar at a time if you need to.
