As you know, each
note in a scale has an associated chord function that can be built
from it. In major keys, the 1, 4, and 5 chords are always major in
quality, the 2, 3, and 6 chords are always minor, and the 7 chord is
always diminished.
Using the “chord chart” below, play the
corresponding chord on a piano/keyboard, guitar, or
other polyphonic instrument in any rhythm
for the specified number of beats as demonstrated in the video
below.
Most of the
activities we'll be doing involve playing chord progressions along
with popular music using a polyphonic instrument like guitar or
piano. You may use any acoustic instrument as long as it is
primarily polyphonic (e.g. no bass guitars, no trumpets, no violins,
no solo voice, etc.).
General Activity Guidelines
Click a song title. Notice that the
chord sheets reveal the appropriate
key and tempo. All you have to do is play the chords in
these keys according to the key function number (e.g. a 4 chord
in C major is an F Major chord).
Listen to the song once without
playing along by clicking the MP3 link at the top of the
page. Note: you may also download the song for offline
listening/playing by right clicking or ctrl+clicking
the link and selecting "Save Target" or "Download Linked File":
Practice playing the song without the
music track. The chord sheet provides the number of beats to
play each chord number. You may take liberty with the rhythm
you use, but stay within the number of beats within the bar.
Note: you may print chord sheet pages for offline playing by
clicking File>Print in your webbrowser.
Play along with the music by playing
the appropriate chord number for the key as the music plays.
Note: songs may use added notes beyond the root, 3rd, and
5th of the chord, as well as suspensions but you may limit your
performance to
only play triads.
When you are finished, choose the
appropriate week number from above beginning with Week 1 and
complete the activities for that week by working through each
numbered item on the page.
*Please work on
weekly activities for a total of 1 1/2 to 2 hours each week in
any way your schedule allows (spreading time across several days is recommended)
but for no more or less than 1 1/2 to 2 hours per week.
