Melody: Change
Goal: To improvise four (or more) note combinations altering the timing of the change of notes (and focus can be on larger intervals of sixths, sevenths, and octaves using major, minor, whole tone, and pentatonic scales).
Out of Tempo
All Levels
“Out of Tempo” exercises are not presented separately in Ear Training III and Ear Training IV improvisations. Should any exercise prove difficult performed in tempo, out of tempo versions of the materials in Ear Training III and Ear Training IV can be modeled on Ear Training I and Ear Training II approaches to out of tempo improvisations.
In Tempo
Teacher sets up a tempo, time signature, tonality, and rhythms.
Phrases can be four to thirty-two measures in length depending on the student’s ability.
Start with one note per measure and add different rhythms as students become more comfortable with the exercise. For more confident students, use non-repeating notes and rhythm patterns.
Students sing one, two, three, or four notes per measure.
Speaking, singing, playing.
Refer to the Melody Smorgasbord for ideas.
Beginning
- Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “When I say 'change,' change the fourth note of these four notes.
- Students do so.
Intermediate
- Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “When I say 'change,' change the third and fourth notes of these four notes."
- Students do so.
Advanced
- Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “When I say change,' change the first and fourth notes of these four notes."
- Students do so.