ESSENTIAL LEVEL ONE

ELEMENTS

PIANO THEORY
ANSWER KEY

Student answers are in red.

Teacher examples are in blue.

ISBN 978-1-4768-0608-2

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 To the Student
I wrote these books with you in mind. As a young student I often wondered how completing theory work-
books would make me a better musician. The theory work often seemed separate from the music I was play-
ing. My goal in Essential Elements Piano Theory is to provide you with the tools you will need to compose,
improvise, play classical and popular music, or to better understand any other musical pursuit you might en-
joy. In each “Musical Mastery” section of this book you will experience creative applications of the theory you
have learned. The “Ear Training” pages will be completed with your teacher at the lesson. In this series you will
begin to learn the building blocks of music, which make it possible for you to have fun at the piano. A practical
understanding of theory enables you to see what is possible in music. I wish you all the best on your journey
as you learn the language of music!

Sincerely,
Mona Rejino

To the Teacher
I believe that knowledge of theory is most beneficial when a concept is followed directly by a musical
application. In Essential Elements Piano Theory, learning theory becomes far more than completing
worksheets. Students have the opportunity to see why learning a particular concept can help them
become a better pianist right away. They can also see how the knowledge of musical patterns and
chord progressions will enable them to be creative in their own musical pursuits: composing, arrang-
ing, improvising, playing classical and popular music, accompanying, or any other.

A free download of the Teacher’s Answer Key is available at www.halleonard.com/eeptheory1answer.

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Hal Leonard Corporation for providing me the opportunity to put these theoret-
ical thoughts down on paper and share them with others. I owe a debt of gratitude to Jennifer Linn,
who has helped with this project every step of the way. These books would not have been possible
without the support of my family: To my husband, Richard, for his wisdom and amazing ability to
solve dilemmas; to my children, Maggie and Adam, for helping me think outside the box.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNIT 1 Introduction to the Keyboard 4
Black Key Groups • Music Alphabet • Naming White Keys

UNIT 2 Rhythms 7
Quarter Note • Quarter Rest • Bar Lines • Measures
Double Bar Line • Half Note • Half Rest
Repeat Sign • Whole Note • Whole Rest

UNIT 3 Directional Reading 10

Finger Numbers • Right Hand and Left Hand
Stem Direction • Repeat, Up and Down

MUSICAL MASTERY 13
Ear Training • Symbols • Rhythm

UNIT 4 The Staff 16

Line Notes • Space Notes • Steps

UNIT 5 Treble Clef, Bass Clef and Grand Staff 18

Treble Clef • Bass Clef • Grand Staff • Guide Notes
Treble G • Bass F • Middle C • Ledger Lines

UNIT 6 Time Signatures, Rhythm and Dynamics 21

4/4 • Dotted Half Note • 3/4 • 2/4
Piano • Forte

MUSICAL MASTERY 24
Ear Training • Symbols • Reading

UNIT 7 Steps and Skips 27

Skips • Treble C • Bass C
Naming Notes on the Grand Staff

UNIT 8 Stem Rule, 5-Finger Patterns and Review 30

MUSICAL MASTERY 33
Ear Training • Musical Puzzle • Analysis

THEORY MASTERY 37
Review Test • Ear Training

3
 UNIT 1
5. Write the music alphabet 2 times going down the keyboard.
Introduction to the Keyboard
2 3

The black keys are in groups of and

A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

1. Circle the groups of 2 BLACK KEYS on the keyboard below.

C is to the left of the 2 black key groups.

C

6. Write the C D E letter names on the white keys below.

LOW HIGH

2. Circle the groups of 3 BLACK KEYS on the keyboard below.

C D E C D E C D E

F is to the left of the 3 black key groups.

LOW HIGH F

Seven letters make up the MUSIC ALPHABET: A B C D E F G 7. Write the F G A B letter names on the white keys below.
These letters are used over and over to name the WHITE KEYS on
the keyboard.

3. Write the music alphabet.

F G A B F G A B F G A B
A B C D E F G
8. Fill in the missing letters from the music alphabet.
4. Write the music alphabet 2 times going up the keyboard.

B C
A ____ E F
D ____ A B
G ____ D E
C ____

C D ____
____ E F G ____
____ A B C ____
____ D E F
____
A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

4 5

UNIT 3
9. Name the shaded keys in the blanks below. Each keyboard spells a word. Directional Reading
1. Write the FINGER NUMBERS on each hand below. Begin with number “1” on the
thumbs and end with number “5” on the pinkies.

3 3
4 2 2 4

5 5
1 1

F A C E D A D L.H. R.H.

2. Write “L.H.” inside each left hand and “R.H.” inside each right hand.

B E A D
R.H. L.H.
L.H.

R.H.
B E G
L.H.
R.H.

L.H. R.H.

C A G E

6 10

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS – PIANO THEORY ANSWER KEY – LEVEL ONE 4

 STEM DIRECTION: Stems Up = Right Hand  NOTES MOVE IN THREE WAYS:

Stems Down = Left Hand

 Repeat
     

 
3. Trace these right hand notes.
Up
   
A A N N
4. Draw 5 right hand quarter notes in the box below. Down
     
A A A A A
9. In the blanks below, label how each group of notes moves: Repeat, Up or Down
5. Draw 5 right hand half notes in the box below.

  
N N N N N      
6. Trace these left hand notes Repeat Down Up

A A N N
      
 
7. Draw 5 left hand quarter notes in the box below.
Down Repeat Up
A A A A A
     
8. Draw 5 left hand half notes in the box below.
N N N N N   
Up Down Repeat

11 12

MUSICAL MASTERY 2. You will hear groups of 3 notes. The notes will move UP or DOWN.
Circle the pattern you hear.
Ear Training
1. 2.

     
1. You will hear LOW notes and HIGH notes. Circle LOW if the note sounds low.

     
Circle HIGH if the note sounds high. or or

1. LOW HIGH 2. LOW HIGH 3. LOW HIGH

      
4. LOW HIGH 5. LOW HIGH 6. LOW HIGH 
 
  
1. 2. 3.

 
3. 4.

     
   
or
or

    
4. 5. 6.
 
 
 
  
     
   
5. 6.

or
 or


    
  

13a 13b

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS – PIANO THEORY ANSWER KEY – LEVEL ONE 5

 UNIT 4
Symbol Mastery The Staff
1. Draw a line connecting each musical symbol to its name.
Music is written on a STAFF. The staff has 5 lines and 4 spaces.

5
Symbol Name 4
5 Lines 3
2


1
Quarter Note

 Group of 2 Black Keys

4 Spaces 2
3
4

 Whole Rest

1. Number the lines. 2. Number the spaces.

Half Note 5 4
4
3 3
2
2
1

Double Bar Line
1

ABCDEFG Quarter Rest

Notes are written on lines or in spaces of the staff.
 Line Note Space Note
Group of 3 Black Keys
 

Music Alphabet


3. Write L under the line notes and S under the space notes.

Whole Note
   
  
Repeat Sign 
  Half Rest

S

L

S

S

L

L

S

L

14 16

UNIT 5
4. Draw whole notes on these lines. 5. Draw whole notes in these spaces. Treble Clef, Bass Clef and Grand Staff

 This is a TREBLE CLEF. Higher notes are written in the treble clef.
The right hand usually plays notes in the treble clef.
space 1 space 3 space 2 space 4

 This is a BASS CLEF. Lower notes are written in the bass clef.
The left hand usually plays notes in the bass clef.
STEPS on the staff move from a space to the next line,
or from a line to the next space.

     
 
1. Follow the steps to make a treble clef.

6. Circle the answer that shows the direction of these notes.

  
  
2. Now draw four of your own treble clefs.

     
Step Up Step Up Step Up Step Up
3. Follow the steps to make a bass clef.

Step Down Step Down Step Down Step Down

Repeat Repeat Repeat Repeat

7. Follow the directions and draw two more whole notes in each measure. 4. Now draw four of your own bass clefs.
The first one is done for you.

 
 
Repeat Step Down Step Up Step Down

17 18

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS – PIANO THEORY ANSWER KEY – LEVEL ONE 6

 7. Draw 5 more whole note Middle C’s on the treble staff.
Bar line

This is a GRAND STAFF.  R.H. 

It is formed by joining the
treble staff and bass staff
with a bar line and
a brace.  8. Draw 5 more whole note Middle C’s on the bass staff.

    
L.H.
Brace

 
Below are 3 important GUIDE
NOTES that will help you read
music on the staff.
G  Since Middle C’s are located between the Treble Staff and Bass Staff,
they are written on short lines called LEDGER LINES.
 C

F

9. Name each note below, either G or C.

    
TREBLE G is on line 2 of the treble staff.

   
BASS F is on line 4 of the bass staff.
MIDDLE C is in the middle of the grand staff.

On your keyboard, place both thumbs on Middle C. You can play Treble G 
C 
G 
G 
C 
C  
G C 
G
with your R.H. 5th finger and Bass F with your L.H. 5th finger.

5. Draw 5 more whole note G’s on the G Line in the treble clef.
10. Name each note below, either F or C.

          
    
6. Draw 5 more whole note F’s on the F Line in the bass clef.


F 
C  
F F 
C 
F 
C 
C

19 20

UNIT 6
Time Signatures, Rhythm and Dynamics

A DOTTED HALF NOTE = 3 beats of sound


A TIME SIGNATURE at the beginning of the piece tells two things:
Top number = How many beats (or counts) are in each measure

4
Bottom number = What kind of note gets one beat (or count) Count: 1 - 2 - 3
clap - hold - hold

4
= 4 beats in a measure
= quarter note (  ) gets one beat
3 = 3 beats in a measure
4 = quarter note (  ) gets one beat
1. Draw bar lines after every 4 beats in the rhythms below. Add a double bar line at the
3. Draw bar lines after every 3 beats in the rhythm below.
end of each example.
Add a double bar line at the end.
2. Clap and count the rhythms.
4. Clap and count the rhythm.


            
Count: 1 2 3 4 1 - 2 3 - 4 1 2 3 - 4 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
Count: 1 - 2 - 3 1 2 3 1 - 2 3 1 - 2 - 3

2 = 2 beats in a measure
 4 = quarter note (  ) gets one beat
      
Count: 1 - 2 3 4 1 - 2 3 - 4 1 2 3 4 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 5. Draw bar lines after every 2 beats in the rhythm below.
Add a double bar line at the end.


6. Clap and count the rhythm.

     
Count: 1 2 3 - 4 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 1 2 3 4 1 - 2 3 - 4
      
Count: 1 - 2 1 2 1 2 1 - 2

21 22

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS – PIANO THEORY ANSWER KEY – LEVEL ONE 7

 A WHOLE REST means to rest for a whole measure in any time signature. MUSICAL MASTERY
Ear Training
7. Add the correct time signature in the boxes for the rhythms below.
1. You will hear 4 groups of rhythms. Circle the correct pattern.
8. Write the counts below each measure.
1. 2.
4
4             or     or   
1 – 2 3 4 1–2 3– 4 1 2 3 4 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

3. 4.

2
4         or      or  
1 2 1 – 2 1 2 1 – 2
2. You will hear 4 groups of melodies. Circle the pattern that matches what you hear.

3
       1.
4
   or  
1 – 2 3 1 2 3 1 – 2 – 3 1 – 2 – 3
  
2.
DYNAMIC SIGNS tell how soft or loud to play the music.

   

or
Italian Name
piano
Sign (Symbol)
p
Meaning
soft

f    
     
forte loud 3.

9. Draw four more piano signs. or

  
10. Draw four more forte signs.
4.
  or
  

23 24

UNIT 7
Symbol Mastery Steps and Skips
1. Match the music symbol to its name by writing the correct number in the blank.
SKIPS on the keyboard skip one key and one letter name.

Symbol Name

1. Treble Clef
4. C E B D A C
2. F

1.  SKIPS on the staff move from line to line or space to space.

3. Line Note
     
3.   
4. C

2. 5. Staff
1. Circle either STEP or SKIP for each example.

     
5.
   
6. Time Signature

8.  7. Soft step step step step step

skip skip skip skip skip
 8. Space Note
9.
2. Draw steps or skips from the given notes.
7. p 9. Bass Clef


6.  10. Loud
step down skip up step up skip down step down skip up

11.  11. Dotted Half Note

10. f

25 27

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS – PIANO THEORY ANSWER KEY – LEVEL ONE 8

 TREBLE C is located 3 spaces up from the middle of the grand staff. Now you know 5 GUIDE NOTES that will help you find other notes
on the staff.
BASS C is located 3 spaces down from the middle of the grand staff.
The Guide notes are: Bass C, Bass F, Middle C, Treble G and Treble C
MIDDLE C is located in the middle of the grand staff.


5. Fill in each blank with the letter name of the note shown.

 C

  
 
 C
 

    
3. Draw 2 more Treble C’s, 2 more Bass C’s and 2 more Middle C’s on the
grand staff below.
C F C G C

6. Fill in the missing letters using the Music Alphabet.

C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C

7. On the grand staff below, notes are stepping up the staff. Fill in the blanks for the
new notes using the Music Alphabet.
4. Label each note below: Treble C, Middle C or Bass C.

 
       
 
       

Middle C Bass C Treble C
 
C D E F G 
A 
B   
C D E F  
G A B C

Play Treble C, Bass C and Middle C on the keyboard.

28 29

UNIT 8
Stem Rule, 5-Finger Patterns and Review 3. Write the Music Alphabet going forward.

Stem Rule A B C D E F G
Stems go UP for notes below the middle line.
Up stems attach to the right side of the note head.
4. Write the Music Alphabet going backward.

    A B C D E F G

Stems go DOWN for notes on or above the middle line.

Practice saying the Music Alphabet forward and backward.
Down stems attach to the left side of the note head.


Mastering this skill will make reading music easier.
  
5. Name the following notes. Each set steps up or down from Guide Notes you
have learned.

   

1. Add stems to the following notes. Follow the Stem Rule.

    
      
 
  
C D E
 
C D E
 
G A B
 
G F E

C B A

2. Name the following Guide Notes. Turn the whole notes into half notes by adding a
stem to each note head.

        
  

  
F G A
 
C D E
 
C B A
 
F E D

C B A
  
6. Turn the whole notes into half notes. Add a stem to each note head above.
7. Play each set of notes above.
C F C G C

30 31

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS – PIANO THEORY ANSWER KEY – LEVEL ONE 9

 To create a 5-FINGER PATTERN, begin with the given note and name the MUSICAL MASTERY
next 4 notes stepping up. The lowest note names the pattern. Ear Training
1. You will hear four sets of two notes. If the two notes sound the same, circle SAME.
8. Write letter names to form 5-finger patterns on the keyboards below. If the two notes sound different, circle DIFFERENT.
C Major G Major
1. 2. 3. 4.
same same same same
different different different different

  
   
C D E F G G A B C D
    
9. Draw the 5-finger patterns on the staff using whole notes. Notice the clef signs.
2. You will hear four different notes. Circle LOW if the note sounds low.
Circle HIGH if the note sounds high.

1. 2. 3. 4.
high high high high

10. Add the missing Bar Lines to each staff below. Notice the time signature. low low low low

        
 

1–2 3 4 1–2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1–2 –3–4

3. You will hear four groups of notes. The notes will move up or down.


         
Circle UP if the notes move up. Circle DOWN if the notes move down.

1. 2. 3. 4.
1 2 3 1 – 2 3 1 2 3 1 – 2 – 3
up up up up
down down down down
11. Write the correct counts under each measure above.

 
Remember:  = 1 2 3 4  = 1 2 3

32 33

Musical Puzzle Musical Crossword Puzzle

Complete this crossword puzzle by writing the correct note names in the blanks.
Then fill in the puzzle squares with the correct musical term.
1 2

Across q l
3 5 6

c a l p h __
a __
b __
e t e __
a s u r __
e
m u s i c a l p h a b e t
3. m u s i __ __ 4. m __

  
a n a r
 r e r e
11
t l b g
4
m e a s u r e i l r
7. r __ e __
e p __ a t a __
8. s p __ c __
e f o r t __
10. __ e 9
r h n e a
 
  
 8

 n
o
s p a c e
l
c
l
n
d
t f e s
7 10

Down r e p e a t n f o r t e
a r t __
1. q u __ e r e
n o t __ e
2. l i n __ b __
5. __ a r e
l i n __ o a
   t f
   e f
e __
6. t r __ b l __
e c l __
__ e __
f

  

a l __
9. h __ f e
n o t __ g r __
11. __ a n __
d a __
s t __ f __
f

 
  

34 35

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS – PIANO THEORY ANSWER KEY – LEVEL ONE 10

 Analysis THEORY MASTERY
Study this folk tune, then answer the questions about it. Review Test
1. Complete the music alphabet by filling in the blanks.

Yankee Doodle
A B C D E F G

1 1 2 3 4


         2. Print the letter names of all the white keys on the keyboard below.


f


1 C D E F G A B

5 6 7 8


  
3. Fill in the blanks with the correct number.

  5
The music staff has _________ 4
lines and _________ spaces.

  4. Name the following guide notes on the treble staff and bass staff by filling


in the blanks.

   
 
4
1. How many beats are in each measure?___________ 
quarter note
2. What kind of note gets one beat? ______________________________
5
3. How many half notes are in the piece? ___________

C

G

C

C

F

C

2
4. Which measures have skips in them? ___________ 7
and ___________
5. Write the music alphabet 2 times going up the keyboard. The first letter is printed
loud
5. What does the “f ” mean in measure 1? ___________________ for you.
1
6. Which measures have the exact same notes and rhythms? ___________,

3
___________ 5
and ___________.

A B C D E F G A B C D E F G
BONUS: Play “Yankee Doodle” and demonstrate your musical mastery!

36 37

6. Circle the clef sign. Name the following notes. 11. Draw the type of note named in each measure. Choose any line or space you wish,


but remember the stem rule.

    

   

C

D

G

F

E

B Quarter Note Half Note Dotted Half Note Whole Note


7. Circle the clef sign. Name the following notes.

12. The following pairs of notes move by step or skip. Circle the correct answer.
   
    
      
F

G
A
 C

B

D
step step step step step
8. Circle the music symbol that matches the name given. skip skip skip skip skip

  
Quarter Rest   Time Signature  13. Write the number of beats each note or rest receives in  time.

Bass Clef   Dotted Half Note     

Half Note   Double Bar Line
=

4 =

2 =

4

Piano p f Line Note

   =

2  =

1  =

1  =

3

9. Draw whole notes on the staff for each letter given. Notice the clef sign.
14. Add the missing bar lines on the staff below.

 
       
F D A E C G
10. Draw whole notes on the staff for each letter given. Notice the clef sign. 15. Write the counts below each note or rest.

 
        
E B G C A F 
1 
2 
3–
4 
1–
2 
3 
4 1– 
2–
3 
4 
1– 
2 –
3 –
4

38 39

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS – PIANO THEORY ANSWER KEY – LEVEL ONE 11

 Ear Training
1. You will hear low notes and high notes played one at a time. Circle the word that
matches what you hear.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
high high high high high
low low low low low

2. You will hear groups of notes moving up or down. Circle the word that matches
what you hear.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
up up up up up
down down down down down

3. Circle the music example you hear.

1. 2.
     
   or    or

3. 4.
  
   or   or
 
4. Circle the rhythm you hear.

1. 2.
  or     or 
3. 4.
  or       or  
40

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS – PIANO THEORY ANSWER KEY – LEVEL ONE 12