Melody

In this module you will learn about pitch notation, steps, scales, key signatures, and modes, as well as two specific techniques for understanding and writing a melody –  motive and sequence.

Parts to this Module: 

1. INTRODUCTION

2. LESSON:

Parts to this lesson: Pitch Notation, Steps and the Piano Keyboard, Naming the Black Keys on the Piano: Sharps and Flats, Enharmonic Spelling, The Staff, Clefs, and Ledger Lines, Octave Designation, Notating Sharps, Flats, and Naturals

3. LESSON:

4. LESSON:

Parts to this lesson:Patterns of Steps in Major Scales, Naming Notes of the Major Scale, Transposing the Major Scale Pattern, Diatonic and Chromatic, Implications for Melody, What is a key?, Major Key Signatures

5. LESSON:

Parts to this lesson: Patterns of Steps in the Natural Minor Scales; Naming Notes of the Minor Scale; Raising Scale degrees 6 and 7 in Minor: Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales; Other (transposed) Minor Scales; Minor Keys and Key Signatures and Relative Keys; Parallel Keys

6. LESSON:

7. LESSON:

8. LESSON: Analytical Application in the Repertory

9. LESSON: Creative Application: Composition Practice

10. Drills and Practice

  • In-class Practice Activities: Pitch Notation and Steps
  1. Find keys on the piano
  2. Play notes written in the treble clef on the keyboard
  3. Play notes written in the bass clef on the keyboard
  4. Drill spelling and hearing half steps and whole steps.
  • In-class Practice Activities: Scales and Key Signatures In-ClassPractice.docx

    • Major Scales and Key Signatures
  1. Play the C major scale on the piano and sing a simple melody in C Major In-class Practice Activities: C Major Scale
  2. Play transposed major scales on the piano and sing simple melodies in other major keys In-class Practice Activities: Other Major Scales
  3. Improvise various groupings of steps ascending and descending In-class Practice: making melodic patterns
  4. For further study: PDF file of all the major scales with piano fingerings:Major Scales-1 octave.pdf
    • Minor Scales and Key Signatures
  1. Playing A Minor Scales and Singing a Melody In-class Practice: Playing A Minor Scales and Singing a Melody
  2. Playing, Writing, and Singing Other Minor Scales and Melodies In-class Practice: Playing, Writing, and Singing Other Minor Scales and Melodies
  3. For further study: PDF file of all the natural minor scales with piano fingerings:Minor scales-one octave.pdf

 

REVIEW

Melody Terms and Concepts to Know

MELODYTermsConcepts.docx