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** This page is under development: See the harmony page in the NYU Theory Anthology for a more extensive list of examples for transcription .
Examples for dictation and chord ID for practice incorporating I, V, and V7 chords. Includes chord dictation examples for listening for chord changes and harmonic rhythm, melodic dictation examples that outline tonic and dominant chords, and transcription examples suitable for transcribing melody, chords, and basslines.
Chord Dictation with I & V
Chord Dictation with I & V
Examples for listening for chord changes and harmonic rhythm.
Melodic Dictation: I & V Outlines
Melodic Dictation: I & V Outlines
Examples for transcribing melodies over tonic and dominant harmony.
Billy Ray Cyrus, “Achy Breaky Heart,” chorus (mm. 21–28)
From Some Gave All (1992), words and music by Don Von Tress
Audio: Youtube (1:00–1:16)
Bryan Adams, “Summer of '69,” verse (mm. 3–18)
From Reckless (1985), words and music by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance
Audio: Youtube (0:04–0:30)
Ike & Tina Turner, “River Deep-Mountain High,” pre-chorus (mm. 19–26)
From River Deep-Mountain High (1966), words and music by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector
Audio: Youtube (0:05–0:29)
Transcription: I & V (root position)
Transcription: I & V (root position)
Examples for transcribing melody and chords with only root-position I and V.
Francis Johnson, No. 9, “Francis,” mm. 9–16
From A Collection of New Cotillons (1818)
Audio: Youtube (11:39–11:50)
Johanna Kinkel, No. 3, “Gondellied,” mm. 1–4
From 6 Gedichte, Op. 8 (1838)
Audio: Youtube (0:00–0:08)
The Beatles, “Yellow Submarine,” chorus (mm. 17–24)
From Revolver (1966), words and music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Audio: Youtube (0:36–0:53)
Transcription: I, V, V7 (root position)
Transcription: I, V, V7 (root position)
Examples for transcribing melody and chords, adding root-position V7.
Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Up Around the Bend,” verse (mm. 5–12)
From Cosmo's Factory (1970), words and music by John Fogerty
Audio: Youtube (0:15–0:29)
Hank Williams, “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” verse (mm. 5–12)
Single (1951), words and music by Hank Williams
Audio: Youtube (0:06–0:29)
Janis Joplin, “Me and Bobby McGee,” verse (mm. 3–10)
From Pearl (1971), written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster
Audio: Youtube (0:05–0:29)
Transcription: I & V (with inversions)
Transcription: I & V (with inversions)
Examples for transcribing melody and chords, adding I6 and V6.
Francis Johnson, No. 9, “Francis,” mm. 17–24
From A Collection of New Cotillons (1818)
Audio: Youtube (12:12–12:25)
Transcription: I, V, V7 (with inversions)
Transcription: I, V, V7 (with inversions)
Examples for transcribing melody and chords, adding V7 and inversions.
Francis Johnson, No. 12, "Castilian," mm. 9–16
From A Collection of New Cotillons (1818)
Audio: Youtube (16:43–16:52)
Ignatius Sancho, "Le Vieux Garçon," mm. 17–24
From Minuets, Cotillons, and Country Dances (1767)
Audio: Youtube: 0:35–0:48
Joseph Bologne, No. 1, Rondeau, mm. 104–111
From String Quartet Op. 1 (1771), violin 1 melody
Audio: Midi Recording (without ornamentation), Youtube (0:00–0:12)
Louise Reichardt, Zwölf Gesänge, Op. 3, No. 10, "Der Mond," mm. 1-8 (1811)
Audio: MP3 (0:00–0:12)
Exercises & Warmups
Exercises & Warmups
For Dominant Chords:
David Newman, "Sol Ti Re Fa Dom7 Song"
from The Well Trained Ear (2019)
Audio & Lyrics here
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
See the NYU Music Theory Anthology for additional examples for dictation or ID (Harmony > I, V, V7)
Benjamin Crowell, Eyes and Ears: An Anthology of Melodies for Sight Singing
"Major Keys: Leaps within the Tonic," pp. 32–36
"Minor Keys: Leaps Within the Tonic," pp. 55–57
Choraletech, Interactive Sightsinging Program, "Tonic," Nos. 101–226
Open Music Theory, "Examples for Sight-Counting and Sight Singing: Level 2," M25–48 (See also the 2-Part Melodies)
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