Unit 6-1: V7/V

Objectives

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

Demonstrate further proficiency in sight reading, improvising, and transcribing rhythms that incorporate all dotted 8th patterns and syncopation at the subdivision level in compound time.
Sight sing and improvise melodies that incorporate skips between V7/V chord tones over a given chord progression in major or minor.
Identify examples of V/V and V7/V chords in the repertoire.
Transcribe the melody and chords for an example that incorporates secondary dominants of V.

Preparation for Class

Read:

Read the following selections from Cleland & Dobrea-Grindahl, "Developing Musicianship through Aural Skills"

Hearing & Singing Secondary Dominants pp. 336-337

Watch

V/V & V7/V in "Don't Cry for Me Argentina"
Cynthia Gonzales (3 mins.)

Explore

Hearing V7/V: Practice building chord progressions in Chord Player that use secondary dominants and singing along with an improvised melody to get the sound of these chords in your ears. Here's a looped progression to start with: I - vi - V/V - V (in A major: A - F#m - B - E).

Reference Aids

The Circle of 5ths
Image credit: Sarah Louden

A Circle of Fifths diagram is shown, visually divided into twelve segments like a pie chart. The outer ring of segments displays Roman numerals, while the inner ring displays corresponding note names. Starting at the top and moving clockwise, the outer ring shows: I, V, ii, vi, iii. Counterclockwise shows I, IV, flat-VII, flat-III, flat-VI, flat-II. The inner ring, starting at the top and moving clockwise, shows: C, G, D, A, E, B, F#/Gb, Db, Ab, Eb, Bb, F. The diagram is divided into two halves by shading. The right half is shaded a darker gray, with an arrow labeled "Descending 5ths" curving clockwise along the edge. The left half is shaded a lighter gray, with an arrow labeled "Descending 4ths" curving counter-clockwise along the edge.

In-Class Activities

Improvisation

Rhythmic Improvisation (Syncopated Subdivisions in Compound): Continued practice from Unit 5-5.
- - Rhythm Grid with Takadimi syllables
  - Rhythm Grid without rhythmic syllables
Melodic Improvisation (V7/V): Compose a progression that incorporates a V7/V chord (or pick one from the anthology). Sing through arpeggiations of each of the chords, then improvise a simple melody over the chord progression without using a chord grid (but visualizing it while you sing). Create a backing track using an online chord player like Chord Player, Musicca Chord Player, or ChordChord to fit your progression. Be sure to discuss tendency tones and chromatic scale degrees!

Sight Reading

Melodic Sight-Reading: Sight-read melodies in the section "Applied Chords of V."
- Also try singing the "Secondary Dominants Song" by David Newman. The link provides access to the audio and sing-along lyrics.
Rhythm Sight-Reading: Continue sight-reading rhythms in the section "Other dotted 8ths."

Sight Singing: Chromatic Chords

Rhythms: Compound Subdivisions

Aural ID and Dictation

Aural Anthology: Listen for examples of secondary dominants of V. See the section "Secondary Dominant ID" in the anthology. The songs at the top of the spreadsheet only include examples with V/V and V7/V. Identify where in the phrase you hear a secondary dominant, by specifying the measure number or the lyrics.
- - For extra practice, try to transcribe all of the chords you hear, using Roman numerals and chord symbols.
Theory Anthology: Listen to examples in the section "V/V, V7/V" to find additional examples for transcription practice.
Transcription: "Waterloo": Listen for secondary dominants of V, and complete a transcription of selections from Abba's "Waterloo" as specified by your instructor.
- - Instructor Note: See a copy of the score and notes in the Instructor Companion Site.

Aural Anthology: V/V & V7/V ID

Theory Anthology: V/V and V7/V

Assignment

Assignment 6-1

NEXT STEP

Next Lesson: Other Applied Chords and ii-V-I's

Additional Practice

Auralia:
- Advanced Part Dictation: Levels 2a, 2b
- Advanced Progressions: Level 1
- Chord Recognition: Level 9a
- Melodic Dictation: Levels 10a, 10b
- Pop Chord Progressions: Level 10a
- Rhythm Dictation: Level 7d
- Rhythm Element Dictation: Level 4d–g
- Two-Part Rhythm Dictation: Levels 9a–9b
Musition:
- Rhythm Tapping: Level 6d

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