Unit 5-1: Six-Four Chords

Objectives

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

Demonstrate further proficiency in sight reading, improvising, and transcribing rhythms that incorporate syncopation at the subdivision level in simple time.
Sight sing and improvise melodies that incorporate six-four chords in progressions in major or minor.
Transcribe chord progressions and melodies in examples from the repertoire that include passing, pedal, and arpeggiating six-four chords.

The "Second Inversions" Song
David Newman, from the album The Well-Trained Ear (2019)

Find the lyrics and audio for the song here. Sing along to get the sound of different types of second inversion triads in your ears.

Rhythmic Improvisation (16th-Note Syncopation & Rests in Simple Time): Continued practice from Unit 4-4.
- - Rhythm Grid with Takadimi syllables
  - Rhythm Grid without rhythmic syllables
Melodic Improvisation (Six-Four Chords): Compose a progression that incorporates a passing or pedal six-four chord. 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. Once you feel comfortable, add in diatonic and chromatic embellishing tones.

Melodic Sight-Reading: Continue practice sight-reading melodic material from previous lessons, focusing on melodies that incorporate subdivisions in simple and compound time, syncopation, and ties.
Rhythm Sight-Reading: Continue practice with sight-reading rhythms in the sections "16th Note Rests" and "Ties with 16th Notes."

Rhythms: Simple Time Subdivisions

Theory Anthology: Listen to examples from the sections: Passing, Pedal, Arpeggiating, and Multiple Six-Four Chords. Identify the type of six-four chord you hear. Then, transcribe the melody, bassline, and Roman numerals.

Theory Anthology: Six-Four Chords

Assignment 5-1

Next Lesson: Plagal Motion as Prolongation

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