Download Before We Begin... I will pass back your quiz and a couple

Before We Begin...
I will pass back your quiz and a couple homework assignments I have
for some of you (I have not graded the homework you turned in on
Friday yet – you’ll get that back tomorrow.)
Chord Recognition
In Various Textures
Recognizing Chords in Various Textures
▪ Now that we understand and identify basic triads and seventh chords, its
time to put them into context
▪ So far, we’ve seen chords like so:
▪ But really, in context, they look more like this:
These are ALL G
Minor Chords!
Recognizing Chords in Various Textures
▪ When looking at a score or piano part, there are a few easy steps to follow
to determine the chords
1. Make an inventory of all the pitch classes found in the chord (all the letter
names – no need to repeat any even if they’re repeated in the chord)
2. Put them in an order that creates THIRDS (“Snowman position” if you draw them
on a staff.)
3. Determine the quality/type of chord
4. Look back at your score/piano music and see what note is in the bass – that will
tell you what inversion the chord is in (for example: if it’s the 3rd of the chord, the
chord is in first inversion)
Recognizing Chords in Various Textures
▪ Let’s try one!
▪ 1. Make an inventory of all the
pitch classes found in the chord
– E, A, C#, G
Recognizing Chords in Various Textures
▪ 2. Put them in an order that
creates THIRDS (“Snowman
position” if you draw them on a
staff.)
– A, C#, E, G
Recognizing Chords in Various Textures
▪ 3. Determine the quality/type of
chord
– A, C#, E, G creates a Mm7 Chord
Recognizing Chords in Various Textures
▪ 4. Look back at your score/piano
music and see what note is in the
bass – that will tell you what
inversion the chord is in
– E is in the bass
– E is the 5th of the chord, so this is a
second inversion 7th chord
– The inversion symbol is 4/3
Recognizing Chords in Various Textures
▪ This is ...
– Root: A
– Type: Mm7
– Inversion Symbol: 4/3
– Lead Sheet Symbol: A7/E
Helpful Hints!
▪ The chords include EVERY NOTE BEING PLAYED (not just every note
“attacked” at any given time.) For example:
▪ The chords on beats 3 and 4 still include the A and F played on beat 1
since those notes are still sustained
Helpful Hints!
▪ The chords include EVERY NOTE BEING PLAYED (not just every note
“attacked” at any given time.) For example:
▪
FM7 B7b5 F
Helpful Hints!
▪ If you have trouble putting the notes in an order that creates thirds, or
“snowman form”, keep this in mind
– ONE LETTER, skip a letter, NEXT ALPHABETICAL LETTER, skip a letter, NEXT
ALPHABETICAL LETTER
▪ A (skip B) C (skip D) E
– You’ll never have two letters of the alphabet next to each other if you’re stacking
thirds
As A Class Practice...
▪ Document Camera – Book Pg. 52
Assignment
▪ Self-Test 3-4 Part B – Due TUESDAY