Unit 2-3: Pentatonic Collections

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Sight-sing and transcribe melodies that use the pentatonic scale.
Improvise a pentatonic melody in major or minor.
Demonstrate further proficiency in identifying extended chords and sight-reading rhythms with syncopated divisions and ties in simple time.

Relative Darkness and Brightness of Modes (Source: Chelsey Hamm, OMT, "Introduction to Diatonic Modes")

The Improvisation Train: Open up the pentatonic ladder (click on "pentatonic scales") or notate the pentatonic scales on the board as a visual reference. Then, try the Improvisation Train exercise to practice ear-training and build your memory skills as a group. You can do this exercise in duets, groups, or as a full class. Be sure to practice in both major and minor!
- - 1) Select a tempo and meter for the improvisation. Consider using a backing track (like one of these: Rock | Funk | Slow Blues | Waltz) to help keep time during your improvisation. Conducting is recommended!
  - 2) The first student in the train sings one measure, using only notes from the pentatonic scale on neutral syllables ("da" or "ta").
  - 3) The whole class repeats the improvised measure using solfège.
  - 3) The next student in line adds a second measure of improvisation (neutral syllables again).
  - 4) The whole class repeats both measures in order using solfège.
  - 5) The next student in line adds a 3rd measure, etc . . . Keep building and repeating until you can't remember the melody anymore!
Rhythmic Improvisation (16th-Note Syncopation & Rests in Simple Time): Continued practice from Unit 2-2.
- - Rhythm Grid with Takadimi syllables
  - Rhythm Grid without rhythmic syllables

Melodic Sight-Reading: Sight read melodies in all sections. These melodies include both the major and minor pentatonic collections.
- - Warm up by singing through the pentatonic scales and having a classmate or instructor point to syllables and skip around. You can find a visual here (click on "pentatonic scales.")
Rhythm Sight-Reading: Continue sight reading rhythms in the section "Syncopated Subdivisions." These rhythms include syncopation at the level of the subdivision in simple time and tresillo rhythms.

Sight Singing: Pentatonic Melodies

Rhythms: 16th-Note Syncopation

Aural Anthology: Select melodies from the sight-singing chapter for melodic dictation.
Chord ID & Shuttles: Continue practice identifying sus, power, added6, and extended chords. Continue practice transcribing chord progressions using diatonic shuttles.

Aural Anthology: Pentatonic Melodies

Theory Anthology: [Topic]

Assignment 2-3

Next Lesson: Modes

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