Harmonic Progressions: Patterning
Goal: To hear harmonic progressions as recognizable combinations of chords
Out of Tempo
Beginning
- Teacher speaks, “In the key of C, what is the progression F, G, C?”
- Students answer, “Four, five, one”
Intermediate
- Teacher speaks, “In the key of C, what are the chord names for four, five, one?”
- Students answer, “F, G, C.”
Advanced
- Teacher speaks, “Here is the pattern two, five, one. Speak the note names in three different keys."
- Students answer.
In Tempo
Sing on lu, solfege, or numbers, with teacher at the keyboard or other instrument.
Beginning
- Teacher sings the bass line of a three chord combination on “Lu.” One chord per time signature in two-four, three-four, or four-four.
- Teacher prompts, “Using your fingers, indicate which chord progression you hear.”
- Students answer, "2, 5, 1" – for example.
Intermediate
- Teacher indicates with fingers which chord combination the students are to sing.
- Students sing the bass line of the chord combination indicated by the teacher.
Advanced
- Teacher plays on an instrument, without singing, a chord combination.
- Students sing the bass line and simultaneously indicate with fingers which combination they are singing.