April: Read, Fret, Rhythm
Week 1
Week 2: Rhythm and Chords
Tasks:
Rhythm:
- Practice the rhythm chart with a metronome
- If you struggle with a rhythm, then use the time words
- Practice alternating between random groups
Chords:
- Identify triads on the score indicating them with brackets
- Write out the notes of the triad in order and identify the root note and chord quality
- Find a way to block out/chunk as many of those notes as possible
- Look out for any recurring chords or chord shapes
Rhythm:
- Practice the rhythm chart with a metronome
- If you struggle with a rhythm, then use the time words
- Practice alternating between random groups
Chords:
- Identify triads on the score indicating them with brackets
- Write out the notes of the triad in order and identify the root note and chord quality
- Find a way to block out/chunk as many of those notes as possible
- Look out for any recurring chords or chord shapes
| Circle of thirds.pdf |
Week 3: Identifying Triads
Tasks:
- Practice the triads from C Major and A Minor: click here to watch videos of them
- Download the triad exercises: click here
- Practice the triads from C Major and A Minor: click here to watch videos of them
- Download the triad exercises: click here
May: Form and Building Blocks
Week 1: Form, Keys and Repetition
Materials
Tasks:
• Practice the G Major triads (and E minor if you have time)
• Analyze the form, keys and repetitions of the following pieces
• Practice the G Major triads (and E minor if you have time)
• Analyze the form, keys and repetitions of the following pieces
Week 2: More on Form, Keys and Repetition
Tasks:
• Review the form, keys and repetitions of the 4 pieces from last session
• Review the form, keys and repetitions of the 4 pieces from last session
• Study the form, keys and repetitions of these 4 pieces
• Chunk the A section of the study below and write out the chunked version onto manuscript. Identify and chords you can. Try chunking the remainder of the piece.
Week 3: Form, Keys, Repetitions, Parallel Periods and Primary Chords
Tasks:
• Review the form, keys and repetitions of the 4 pieces from last session
• Review the form, keys and repetitions of the 4 pieces from last session
• Identify the primary chords (I-IV-V) in the same examples.
- Write out the chords and triad notes
- Use primary chords chart below as a reference if needed
- Extra task: practice the primary chords of those keys
Week 4: Primary Chords, Inversions and Substitutions
Tasks:
• Add roman numerals to all chord labels in the study pieces
• Identify inversions of all chords from the study pieces
• Identify any chord substitutions in the study pieces
• Practice the primary chords in C Major and identify the inversions
• Read through the booklet: click here
• Add roman numerals to all chord labels in the study pieces
• Identify inversions of all chords from the study pieces
• Identify any chord substitutions in the study pieces
• Practice the primary chords in C Major and identify the inversions
• Read through the booklet: click here
Week 5: Passing Tones, Subtractions and Borrowed Dominants
Tasks
Review previous analysis tasks and fill in any blanks
Review previous analysis tasks and fill in any blanks
Synthesis: analyze the form, keys, repetitions, primary chords, etc. of the following piece
June: The Fretboard
Week 1: Synthesis and shifting chords
Tasks
Review previous analysis task and fill in any blanks.
Practice the moveable dominant - tonic progression: choose 1
• Say the chord names
• Say the note names (remember to spell them correctly!)
Review previous analysis task and fill in any blanks.
Practice the moveable dominant - tonic progression: choose 1
• Say the chord names
• Say the note names (remember to spell them correctly!)
Week 2: Shifting 3rds
In 2 parts because of power failure occurring in the middle of our session!
In 2 parts because of power failure occurring in the middle of our session!
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Tasks
Practice shifting 3rds from the 7th position and higher
Practice shifting 3rds from the 7th position and higher
Week 3: Primary Chords (positions), Theory of 3rds and Moveable Chords
Tasks:
• Practice shifting 3rds in the higher positions, starting at the 7th (Robert, write them out please)
• Choose a primary chord + position and play/write the chord
• Shift the chords from Carcassi's 7th Position Prelude down to the 1st position. Is it a chord you're already familiar with?
• Practice shifting 3rds in the higher positions, starting at the 7th (Robert, write them out please)
• Choose a primary chord + position and play/write the chord
• Shift the chords from Carcassi's 7th Position Prelude down to the 1st position. Is it a chord you're already familiar with?
Week 4: High Positions
Tasks:
• Practice remaining primary chords in C Major
• Practice intervals in high positions test
• Optional: shift chord shapes from La Catedral, mvt 1
• Practice remaining primary chords in C Major
• Practice intervals in high positions test
• Optional: shift chord shapes from La Catedral, mvt 1
July: Sing and Play
Week 1: Sing and Play a Scale (and a review of the fretboard)
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Tasks:
• Sing a C major scale to the accompaniment |
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Week 2: Singing Scales and Melodies
Tasks:
- Sing a melody from a piece you're playing (or Adelita if you can't choose!)
- Optional: play the accompaniment while you sing the melody
- Sing a melody from a piece you're playing (or Adelita if you can't choose!)
- Optional: play the accompaniment while you sing the melody
Week 3: Singing Intervals
Tasks:
- Sing the intervals exercises from the appendix: click
- Isolate intervals from melodies you're playing and sing/identify them
Interval cheat sheet 1: click
Interval cheat sheet 2: click
Use scales to help you identify the quality of intervals (major or minor 3rds/6ths, perfect 5ths, etc.): click
- Sing the intervals exercises from the appendix: click
- Isolate intervals from melodies you're playing and sing/identify them
Interval cheat sheet 1: click
Interval cheat sheet 2: click
Use scales to help you identify the quality of intervals (major or minor 3rds/6ths, perfect 5ths, etc.): click
Week 4: Intervals and Overview
Tasks
Analyze the study by Sor, focusing on the following:
1. Form
2. Keys
3. Repetitions
4. Primary Chords
5. Scale/s
6. Positions/Chords
7. Rhythm Groups
8. Intervals
Analyze the study by Sor, focusing on the following:
1. Form
2. Keys
3. Repetitions
4. Primary Chords
5. Scale/s
6. Positions/Chords
7. Rhythm Groups
8. Intervals
Week 5: Final Overview
As for what's next, here are some suggestions:
1) Use Teoria - Read and play Chords: Triads and Seventh Chords: https://www.teoria.com/en/exercises/
2) Review our sessions and tasks that are available in the link above
3) Use book 5 and start the plan over and/or focus on your weaker areas
4) Please consider joining my online school, where we have weekly masterclasses, analysis classes and lots of other resources to help with your sight reading, musicianship, technique and more. It would be a great way to keep the momentum going and to stay in touch - there's also a vibrant and supportive community. There's more info available at: https://daniel-nistico.mn.co/
1) Use Teoria - Read and play Chords: Triads and Seventh Chords: https://www.teoria.com/en/exercises/
2) Review our sessions and tasks that are available in the link above
3) Use book 5 and start the plan over and/or focus on your weaker areas
4) Please consider joining my online school, where we have weekly masterclasses, analysis classes and lots of other resources to help with your sight reading, musicianship, technique and more. It would be a great way to keep the momentum going and to stay in touch - there's also a vibrant and supportive community. There's more info available at: https://daniel-nistico.mn.co/