Class 5

This class we reviewed all the intervals and began our adventure into the study of chords, specifically the triad (chords made with three notes). The triad could be called the foundation of modern Western music, and it is the triad that differentiates Western music from the East.

There are four main types of triadic chords: major, minor, diminished, and augmented. Major chords are diatonic, meaning they use the key signature of the root. Remember the root -- the bottom note of the basic triad. It defines the triad. To make a minor chord, you lower the middle note a half step. To make a diminished chord, you lower the middle and upper note a half step. To make an augmented chord, you raise the top note a half step. And that's it. Pretty simple.

Probably the only other often used variation of the triad is the suspended chord. We didn't talk about this in class, but the suspended chord is traditionally a passing chord, meaning that you leave it, or resolve it. To make a suspended chord, you raise the middle note a half step. Try it out on a piano. Once you play a suspended chord, your ears naturally want the middle note to lower back a half step to the major. Oh wait -- actually, you can suspend a minor chord too. It's just that you have to raise that middle note a whole step instead of a half step. Can you figure out why?

We also completed a melody in class. I had a good time hearing what you guys wrote. We're going to keep down that path until we get into some longer compositions. For now, just remember a few of these principles (not rules) of melody writing:

• Keep a majority of the intervals small (2nds or 3rds)
• If you have big leaps, make sure they agree with your ear
• Think big picture -- look at the shape of the melody and balance it
• Keep similar rhythm patterns unless you intentionally want to change the mood
• End on the tonic

Ok? Don't forget your composition assignment. Write an 8 or 16 measure melody with any time signature and key signature. Have fun, but keep in mind the principles we talked about. Thanks and God bless!

Josh

P.S. Here's a link to the homework.