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