OGEHR - Basic Theory

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Directors Course
Basic Theory

1. Basic Theory

Sept. 30, 2023, 9 - 11 a.m.

Handbell playing is quite different than other musical endeavours. In order to be successful, a firm grasp of rhythm is a major factor in developing a successful handbell choir. The music theory in this section focuses on the basic aspects of music theory with a focus on rhythm. The following are the topics that will be covered and resources you can you to improve your musical skills:

Note: A number of the lessons and exercises come from MusicTheory.net. It is a free online resource that is available to anyone to use. You can customize your practice exercises by going to the settings cogwheel on the top right corner.There is also an app available for download on Apple mobile devices.
The other main website used is The Language of Music, operated by Canadian Paul Barton.

Staffs, clefs, and ledger lines

- Lesson - https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/10
- Exercise - https://www.musictheory.net/exercises/note/oy991yoa9dbynyyyyy

Note duration

- Lesson - https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/11
- The following are from the website: http://languageofmusic.ca

Measures and time signatures

- Resource - https://www.skoove.com/blog/time-signatures-explained/
- Lesson - https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/12

Rest duration

- Lesson - https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/13

Dots and ties

- Lesson - https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/14

Steps and accidentals

- Lesson - https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/20

Simple and compound meter

- Lesson - https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/15

Major scales

- Lesson - https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/21
- Exercise (Identification) - https://www.musictheory.net/exercises/keysig/oyh9dyydyyyyy
- Exercise (Construction) - https://www.musictheory.net/exercises/keysig-construction/oya9dbybdyyyy

Minor scales

- Lesson - https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/22
- Exercise (Identification) - https://www.musictheory.net/exercises/keysig/oyh9dbydyyyyy
- Exercise (Construction) - https://www.musictheory.net/exercises/keysig-construction/oya9dnybdyyyy

Key signatures

- Lesson - https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/24
- https://www.musictheory.net/exercises/keysig/oyh9ddydyyyyy

Rhythm

The art of handbell playing is largely based on rhythmic skills! Practicing your rhythm is always of benefit. Here are some resources to help:

Rhythm Trainer - https://www.therhythmtrainer.com/
Musica - https://www.musicca.com/exercises/rhythms

An additional resource which is also good as a reference is https://musictheory.pugetsound.edu/mt21c/frontmatter.html

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I am available to help with theory throughout your studies with OGEHR. Please email me at:

past-president@ogehr.ca

Zoom Chat

00:31:38 Rob Cairns: https://ogehr.ca

00:43:25 Dale B.: Question I have ringers with 2 different reactions to ledger lines. One is How do I read them? The other is I don't use ledger line so why are you wasting my time?

00:44:51 Lisa Kyriakides: Hi Dale. I see your situation - what is your question?

00:45:24 Dale B.: as a director how can I address both of these very different reactions

00:48:21 Lisa Kyriakides: Your ringers need to understand that every position has it's specific challenges. Some people will need to know about ledger lines and for others it won't apply to them. Part of ringing in a group is listening and learning from the experiences of others. That needs to be fostered in each group. Perhaps there

00:49:16 Lisa Kyriakides: is a time you can talk to the ledger lines people separately.

01:25:33 Rob Cairns: https://www.therhythmtrainer.com

01:30:56 Rob Cairns: https://www.musicca.com/exercises/rhythms

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