Music Theory Question..

[y2stevo]

Ok, Suppose I have a score, and the Key Signature shows say, 3 flats.
So it's either in Eb or Cminor.So Im looking at the melody and i see that theres a B natural, (which would be the 7th of Cminor sharpened).. Would that simple fact that that note is present in the melody mean that the melody is In Cminor, And not Eb.?

Thanks alot

y2stevo

 

[seafoamer]

Re: Music Theory Question..

Would that simple fact that that note is present in the melody mean that the melody is In Cminor, And not Eb.?

No. It is a big hint that chances are it is, but you really need to analyze it's use before assuming that. Here are the questions u need to ask urself: Is the B natural used as a leading tone to C??? And does the song revolve around, or cadance to C minor?

 

[y2stevo]

Re: Music Theory Question..

Lovely,
The reason I ask is that i took the music exam yesterday for my leaving certificate (like final year end of year exams in high school or something),and I never actually took the music class as it was on the same time Technical Drawing class was.The melody writing section of it happened to be in that Key Sig.The melody Writing is basically you're given 4 bars of a melody and you have to continue another 16 bars of it.I only got a few "grinds" of a buddy a day or 2 before it but he kept claiming that once theres that Sharpened 7th its in the minor Key (snd so did the whole class). So I guess for the leaving cert they just make the tests so that if there is one its gonna be in the minor key.
Coincidentially stats show that 90% of leaving cert music takers get an Honour (C or above) in it :laugh2:

Thanks for the clarity on it there foamy :laugh2:

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Music Theory Question..

I haven't analyzed it, but most likely it's C minor. And whenever you see a natural or other accidental usually harmonic or melodic minor should spring to mind, it does for me. Then you can go from there. Natural minor is more straightforward.