Musicianship

Welcome to the page for my SFCM Preparatory Musicianship classes.

Parents, if your child is sick or misses class, check for the homework here.

Students, if you are unable to view/hear the audio files, please contact me as soon as possible (i.e. NOT the night before class).

Final – May 18

Don’t forget! Go directly to Osher Salon for the final exam!

Homework for May 11

  1. Practice Final Exam – Part 1
  2. Answer to Final Exam Review Part 1

Homework for May 4

  1. Final Exam Review Part 1. Answers posted shortly.

Homework for April 27

  1. Continue memorizing your minor and major key signatures, listed below. If you would like to make flashcards, here are the directions and clefs.
  2. Finish “Writing i iv V7 i” Worksheet.
  3. In the Red Book, pp. 36-47.
  4. Melodic Dictation #5. Please label your paper with your name and “Melodic Dictation #5.” Write this dictation in bass clef and in A-flat Major. It is in 6/8 time and is four measures long.
  5. Rhythmic Dictation #6. Please label your paper with your name and “Rhythmic Dictation #6.” This dictation is in 4/4 and is two measures long.
  6. Memorize Keyboard Pattern 5 in F and G Majors.
  7. Rhythm Exercise 5.G. Learn both parts separately.

Homework for April 20

  1. Memorize the key signatures for the following major keys: C, G, D, A, E, B, F, Bb, Eb, Ab.
  2. Memorize the key signatures for the following minor keys: A, E, B, F#, C#, G#, D, G, C, and F.
  3. In the Green Book, page 9-15.
  4. Rhythmic Dictation: This dictation is in 6/8 time and is two measures long.
  5. Keyboard Pattern 5: I-IV-V-I.

Homework for March 16

  1. Review Scale Degree Patterns Groups 1-10 in Major and Minor keys for Bingo!
  2. Practice improvising series of tonal patterns to I-IV-V7-I. For example, 351*-1*64-54-353, where 1* is high 1.
  3. Practice singing minor subdominant tonal patterns here.
  4. Do the Intervals Review Worksheet in preparation for the final exam in May. You will not turn this in. The answers are here: Intervals Review Answers.
  5. Rhythm Exercises 5.B and 5.C in the Rhythm Packet.

Homework for March 9

  1. Be able to sing a melodic minor scale, ascending and descending.
  2. Worksheet “Writing I IV V7 I.” Practice singing the bass line and upper voices.
  3. Quiz Next Week! Be able to do the following:
    • Identify by ear Scale Degree Patterns Groups 1-3 and Groups 5-7 in a minor key.
    • Memorize your key signatures for any major and minor key up to 5 sharps and 4 flats. Be able to write them in both treble and bass clefs.
    • Write I-IV-V7-I in four voices (one in bass, three in treble) in G, F, D, and B-flat majors.
    • Write any type of minor scale.
    • There will be a melodic dictation.

Homework for March 2

  1. Continue improvising tonal patterns to Joshua‘s harmony: i – i – V7 – i. Then, improvise on ‘bum’ while also improvising your rhythm.
  2. Listen to the Subdominant Tonal Patterns here.
    • Echo the patterns on bum and on numbers.
    • Then, listen to the patterns on scale degrees. Instead of echoing each pattern, improvise your own pattern in the correct harmony (tonic, subdominant or dominant).
    • Listen to the patterns on scale degrees. Sing the roots of each pattern.
  3. Keyboard Patterns 3 and 5. Be able to play Keyboard Pattern 5 from memory.
  4. Memorize the key signatures for B Major and G# minor.
  5. Scale Degree Patterns Groups 9 and 10 in a minor key.

Homework for February 23

  1. Subdominant Tonal Patterns here.
  2. Improvise tonal patterns to Joshua‘s harmony: i – i – V7 – i. Then, improvise on ‘bum’ while also improvising your rhythm.
  3. Sightsinging Exercises 110 and 134.
  4. Melodic Dictation #4.

    This melodic dictation is four measures long in 2/4 time. Write the melody in the treble clef in the key of C# minor.

Homework for February 16

  1. Practice improvising series of minor tonal patterns to the harmonic progression i – V7 – V7 – i. Practice on bum, on numbers, and on your instrument. D minor is a good key in which to do this.
  2. Melodic Dictation #3. It is in 2/4, 4 measures long but with a pickup of two eighths. Though I play it in treble clef, write the melody in bass clef in the key of F# minor.

    Remember the method: 1) Rhythm first, 2) then scale degrees, and 3) finally, transfer your rhythms and scale degrees to the staff.

    The melodic dictation is here.

  3. In the Green Book, pp. 79-83.
  4. Learn Scale Degree Patterns Groups 7 and 8 in a minor key.
  5. There will be a binder check. Please organize all of your assignments in the correct dividers.

Homework for February 9

  1. Play the Tonal Patterns below on your instrument in A minor and D minor.
  2. Be able to perform Keyboard Patterns 2 (i-V-i) and 10 (i-V7-i) as written in A minor. Then, play the same pattern in D minor.
  3. Rhythm Review: Exercises 1.F and 2.3.
  4. In the Green book, pages 55-57.
  5. Melodic Dictation #2 below. This dictation is four measures long and in 3/4 time. Write it in E minor in treble clef on an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper with your name at the top.

Homework for February 2

  1. Memorize key signatures for A, E, B, F#, C#, D, G, C, F minors.
  2. “Writing Melodic Minor Scales” Worksheet
  3. In the Green Book: pp. 43-45 and check your work for pp. 46-52
  4. “Writing and Identifying Scale Degrees in Minor Keys” Worksheet
  5. “Guide to Melodic Dictations” Worksheet:

Homework for January 26

  1. Minor Tonal Patterns Dictation below. Write your answers on a sheet of 8.5″ x 11″ paper (no scraps) with your name at the top.

  2. Complete the following worksheets:
  3. In the Green Workbook: pp. 46-54. Bring this book to class!
  4. At the piano, I V I in G and F Majors (you may use your worksheet); and, a C Major Triad Scale in First Inversion and Second Inversion.

Homework for January 5

  1. Study for the Midterm: Midterm Review Sheet 2012-2013
  2. Check back here for practice exams.

Homework for December 15

  1. Listen to the Minor Tonal Patterns below. Instead of repeating what you hear, sing a tonal pattern that is the same harmony of the one on the recording. For example, if you hear “1-3-5,” respond with a different tonic pattern. The same goes for dominant patterns. Listen to the patterns on Numbers first, then try the patterns on Bum.
  2. Rhythm Dictation 4 – May take a while to load. This dictation is four measures long and is in 3/4.
  3. Rhythm Exercises 4.D and 4.E in the Rhythm Supplement. You may use the “Bunny Ears Technique,” if you like.
  4. Sightsinging Exercises 60, 61 and 66, while conducting.
  5. Keyboard Pattern #1. Keyboard Patterns are in your class packet that says “Solfege Curriculum” at the top.

Homework for December 8

  1. There will be a quiz next week. Start studying early. Here is what you need to study.
  2. Rhythm Exercises for Review:
    • 1.G;
    • 1.L at ♩ = 60, 90, 120;
    • 2.F;
    • 2.K at ♩ = 60, 90, 120; and
    • 3.F
  3. 10 am Class: Root Position Triad Scales in the keys of C, G, D, F, and B-flat Majors.
  4. Minor Tonal Patterns below.

Homework for December 1

  1. Minor Tonal Patterns- Just kidding.
  2. At the piano, play Root Position Triad Scale (see worksheet we did in class on November 17) in the keys of C, G, D, F, and B-flat Majors.
  3. Rhythm Exercises – Sing top line while clapping bottom line with a metronome
    • 1.4 at ♩ = 72, 88, 112, 120;
    • Exercise 1.L at ♩ = 132;
    • 2.J at ♩ = 100;
    • 3.K at ♩ = 108;
    • 4.3 at ♩ = 60, 80, 92, 104, 120.
  4. Sightsinging Exercises 67, 107, and 109

Homework for November 17

  1. Sing and play on your instrument Scale Degree Patterns Groups 5 – 10 in a major key. Be able to identify the patterns by ear for a chance to win a Starbucks gift card!
  2. Improvisation: Over the progressions T-T-D-T, T-D-D-T, and T-D-T-T, improvise tonal patterns on ‘bum’ with improvised rhythm. Each harmony lasts one bar of 2/4 time. Be able to play on your instrument in the keys of C, F, and G Majors. Non-pianists: be sure to bring your instruments to class.
  3. Minor Tonal Patterns on Bum audio:
  4. Minor Tonal Patterns on Numbers audio:
  5. Rhythmic Exercises: In the main section of the rhythm packet, 2.F, 2.G and 4.F. 4.F is a duet: sing the top line while clapping the bottom line.
  6. Sight-singing Exercises 64, 73, and 76, while conducting. Take as slowly as needed.
  7. Listen to some clarinet & klezmer music!

Homework for November 10

    1. Sing and play on your instrument Scale Degree Patterns Groups 5 – 10 in a major key. Be able to identify the patterns by ear.
    2. Practice improvising tonal patterns with your voice and on your instrument using the rhythm &#9835 &#9835 to the progressions: T-T-D-T; T-D-D-T; and T-D-T-T. Do this in the keys of C, F and G Majors. Everyone must play an improvisation for a performance grade.
    3. Rhythm Exercises 1.G and 1.E, while conducting.
    4. Rhythmic Dictation below. It is in 4/4 and is 2 measures long. There is an eighth rest and a syncopated rhythm. Try to use no more than five listenings. Write it down and turn it in.
  1. Using the steps we learned in class, work on sight-singing exercises #58 and #62 in your Sight-singing Packet. You must conduct while you sing.
  2. In the Red Book, pp. 53-57.
  3. At the piano, play root position tonic triads in C, G, D, A, and E majors in both hands.

Homework for November 3

    1. Sing and play on your instrument Scale Degree Patterns Groups 5 – 8 in a major key. Be able to identify the patterns by ear.
    2. Practice improvising with your voice and on your instrument tonal patterns to the progression Tonic-Tonic-Dominant-Tonic using the rhythm &#9833 &#9835. Do this in the keys of C, F and G Majors.
    3. In the Red Book, pp. 35-38.
    4. At the piano, play the E Major Scale and A Major Scale, one octave, in each hand separately.
    5. Rhythm Exercises 3.E and 4.A (from the Rhythm Supplement portion of the packet), while conducting.
    6. Rhythm dictation below. It is in 2/4 and is 4 measures long. Please try to use no more than five listenings. Write it down and turn it in next week.

Homework for October 27

  1. Scale Degree Patterns Groups 5 – 6 in a major key. The list of Scale Degree Patterns is in your class packet at the front of your binder.
  2. Sing Intervals from Tonic in C Major: “1-2-Major-Second; 1-3-Major-Third-” etc.
  3. Play by ear the melody and bass line of “London Bridge is Falling Down” on your instrument in C, F, and G Majors. If you play piano, be able to play both melody and bass line together in these keys.
  4. Practice improvising series of tonal patterns to the progression Tonic-Tonic-Dominant-Tonic.
  5. In the Red Book, complete pages 28-34. *Update* Answers are posted here.
  6. Rhythmic Dictation: This dictation is in 4/4 and is two measures long. Please try to use no more than five listenings.

Homework for October 20

  1. Scale Degree Patterns Groups 1 – 4 in a major key. The list of Scale Degree Patterns is in your class packet at the front of your binder.
  2. Tonal Pattern Answers audio file below: You will hear me sing a tonal pattern in Tonic, then Dominant. Your job is to answer with your own Dominant, then Tonic tonal patterns, just as we did in class. Remember: your answer should be a Dominant pattern, then a Tonic one.
  3. Make up three series of Tonic-Dominant-Dominant-Tonic tonal patterns. For example, one series might be: 131 – 272 – 275 – 531.
  4. In the Red Book, read pages 18 and 27 about the piano and the violin.
  5. Play the following one-octave major scales at the piano, one hand at a time: E-flat and A-flat. If you are a non-pianist, please go to http://www.learn-piano.org/major-scales.html for the fingerings.

Homework for October 13

  1. There will be a Quiz next week! To help you prepare, complete pp. 19-26 in the Red Book. The quiz will cover semitones; whole tones; accidentals; ledger lines; key signatures for C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D, A, and E Majors (translation: Memorize these key signatures in both bass clef and treble clefs!); writing scales; and, singing rhythms while conducting.
  2. If you have not done so already, write out the series of tonic and dominant chords from September 29′s homework below: Tonic vs. Dominant.
  3. Long, Long Ago: play the bass line and inner voices with the recording below (in F Major). Extra credit: play the tune by ear on your instrument.
  4. For those who did not play the keyboard scales in class on October 6, continue practicing them.

Homework for October 6
1. Continue working on the audio file from September 29′s homework below: “Tonal Patterns: Tonic-Dominant: Answer on Numbers.”
2. Play the following one-octave major scales at the piano, one hand at a time: F, B-flat, G, D. If you are a non-pianist, please go to http://www.learn-piano.org/major-scales.html for the fingerings.
3. Complete worksheet Scales 6. It is the same thing as pages 10-14 in Elementary Music Theory (the Red Book).
4. WHILE CONDUCTING, Rhythm Exercises 1.A at ♩ = 60, 100, 120, and 144; and, Exercise 2.E.

Homework for September 29
1. Listen to the Tonal Patterns below. Repeat each pattern on Numbers.

2. Listen to the Tonic vs. Dominant audio file below. There are five series of Tonic and Dominant chords. Your assignment is to determine in what order I play the chords. For example, is tonic first? then dominant? Series 1-3 are four chords long. Series 4 and 5 are five chords long. Hints: I always begin on tonic. Not all series are in the same key.

3. Listen to the tune “Long, Long Ago.” Learn to sing the first verse. You do not need to learn the tune on your instrument.

4. Finish the worksheets: Scales 3, 4, and 5. Scales 5 can be found here.
5. Rhythm Exercises 1.D and 2.2. Exercise 2.2 should be done at ♩ = 60 and 100.

Homework for September 22
1. Sing through Scale Degree Patterns (in your class packet) Groups 1, 2, and 3 in any major key three times this week.
2. Play the above patterns on your instrument in the keys of C, G, and F Majors.
3. Complete the worksheets Scales 1 (Ledger Lines) and Scales 2 (Semitones).
4. Rhythm Exercises 1.1 at ♩ = 92, 1.A at the tempo listed and 1.B at the tempo listed. All rhythm exercises should be done with a metronome and sung on “Du’s” and “Du-day’s.”
5. Extra credit: Learn by ear the tune “Mary Ann” on your instrument. No sheet music allowed!

Homework for September 15
1. Have parent read the Musicianship Level 1 Syllabus and sign the last page. Bring the last page to class.
2. Organize your Musicianship binder with the correct number of dividers. Label the dividers as outlined in the Syllabus.
3. Buy books: Mark Sarnecki’s Elementary Music Rudiments, Basic level, 2nd edition, & Sarnecki’s Elementary Music Theory, Book 3, 2nd edition. Both are published by Frederick Harris Music. They are available at sheetmusicplus.com.
4. Sing through the Tonal Patterns below.

Tonic & Dominant Tonal Patterns – Part 1