By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Aurally identify chord changes in a harmonic progression using only I and V chords.
Define the terms tonic and dominant harmony.
Apply harmonic dictation strategies including the "Ti-Do" test and listening to basslines to determine tonic or dominant function.
"Tonal Areas" (Kaitlinbove.com) - Skip toward the end to the second called "Tonal Areas."
"The Do/Ti Test" (Foundations of Aural Skills)
Try out the website in the video here.
Sol Ti Re Fa Dominant 7 Song
(David Newman, 2 mins)
Check out the Chord Player here or the Sequencer in the Online Orchestra here. Put together a 4-bar chord progression that uses a sequence of tonic and dominant chords.
Practice the Do/Ti test with your progression, singing "Do" during tonic chords and "Ti" during dominant chords.
Try singing the bassline (Do and Sol)
Auralia: Chord Progressions (Lvl 1–2)
Quizlet Flashcards: Figured Bass Numbers for Triads and 7th chords
Tonic & Dominant (I & V): Listen to the tonic and dominant chords played on the piano by your instructor. What clues can you listen for to hear the difference between these chords?
What is the quality of the I and V triad in the major mode? The minor mode?
What scale degrees (or solfège) are included in each chord. Can you hear those scale degrees?
What solfège syllables occur in the bass in each chord?
Does one of the two chords sound more stable or more tense? Why do you think that is?
Listening for Chord Changes: Listen to excerpts from popular music that include only I and V chords played by your instructor. Conduct while you listen and transcribe the chords you hear in each bar. As an example, for a 4-bar phrase, you might transcribe: | I | V | V | I | .
Instructors: Find the playlist with solutions in the instructor anthology here.
Discuss different strategies as a class (or in groups) for hearing the chord changes based on your discussion above. A few ideas include:
1) Listen to the bassline: If you hear Do, it's a I chord; if you hear Sol, it's a V chord. Try singing along with the bassline in the examples played.
2) Try the "Do-Ti Test." Sing Do and hold it while you listen. If Do seems to fit the harmony, it's a I chord. If you feel like you need to slide down to Ti to get the note you're singing to fit the chord, it's a V chord.
Classical Chord Dictation: Listen to examples played by your instructor that incorporate I and V chords.
Instructors: Find the dictation examples in the instructor anthology here.