Homework for Module 7

Spend around 30 minutes.

A. Chord-candidate drill

In C major, pick each scale note and name three diatonic chords containing it.

Do this without looking at the table.

Example:

E → C, Em, Am

---

B. Harmonize a scale fragment

Melody:

C D E F | G F E D | C

Try harmonizing it first with only:

C, F, G7

Then create a second version adding:

Am, Dm

---

C. Static melody

Hold G in the right hand.

Play underneath:

C → Em → G7 → C

Listen to the changing role of G.

---

D. Static harmony

Hold C major in the left/right accompaniment.

Play a moving white-key melody over it.

Notice which notes feel:

• stable
• tense
• passing

---

E. Melody on top

Take:

C → Am → F → G7 → C

Choose right-hand inversions so the top notes are:

G → A → A → B → C

---

F. Happy Birthday project

Without looking up chords:

1. find the melody in C
2. mark phrase endings
3. harmonize using C/F/G7 only
4. make a second version adding Am/Dm
5. record both

The two versions do not have to match anybody else's arrangement.

---

G. One melody, three harmonizations

Pick one short 4-bar melody.

Make:

Version 1: simple I/IV/V

Version 2: add vi and ii

Version 3: use inversions for smoother bass

Record all three.

This is one of the most valuable exercises in the entire course.