Scales: Change
Goal: To focus on 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.
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. Introduce the whole tone/pentatonic scales starting on C, but move to other starting notes quickly.
Refer to the Scales Smorgasbord for ideas.
Beginning
- Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “When I say ‘change,’ switch the order of two of the notes of the whole tone or pentatonic scale.”
- Students do so.
Intermediate
- Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “When I say ‘change,’ switch the order of three of the notes of the whole tone or pentatonic scale.”
- Students do so.
Advanced
Very difficult – requires a shift in the accompaniment if there is one, a cappella might be easier.
- Teacher sets up as above and prompts, “When I say ‘change,’ switch the whole tone scale to a pentatonic scale or visa versa.”
- Students do so.