Unit 1-1: Keys & Chords Review

Objectives

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

Evaluate their level of proficiency in identifying and spelling triads, 7th chords, and key signatures, and pinpoint areas that need additional work.
Outline a personal plan for improving proficiency over 2 weeks.
Describe different strategies for identifying and constructing keys and chords, and tools for practicing and improving proficiency.

Review of Triads & 7th Chords (as needed)
Videos by Dr. Anna Gawboy

Key Signatures

Figured Bass

Having trouble remembering the figured bass for the different inversions of V7? The numbers descend: 7, 6-5, 4-3, (4)-2. Check it out:

Or, you can remember the Music Theory Hotline: (664) 765-4342.

The area code is the inversion numbers for triads in 1st inversion (6) and 2nd inversion respectively (6-4)
The next 7 numbers are the figured bass numbers for the 7th chords.

Chord Inversions
(Source: findyourmelody.com)

Reading Lead Sheet Notation
(Source: rebeccapianokeys.com)

Testing Proficiency & Setting Goals: Practice your proficiency with chord and key spelling and ID with this set of practice timed tests. Read the instructions for each section, then time yourself and compare your time to the goal time.
- - Discuss strategies as a class for building speed and proficiency in key and chord building and ID. Practice these strategies on your own to select the best strategy for you. Then, try some of the practice activities below to build proficiency.
  - Set a personal goal for the end of the week and for the end of next week. (e.g. I will be able to identify 15 major key signatures in 2 minutes.) Share your goal with your group members and your instructor. Your goal should be challenging, but realistic.

Team Practice: Open up the Theory II Speed Challenge scoreboard and work as teams to improve your speed on triads, 7th chords, and keys. Break into groups of 3 or 4 and pick categories as a class or group to work on. Post your scores and compete with other groups to get the highest score in each category by the class (and, for a longer goal, by the end of next week).
Online Practice Worksheets. See also the practice materials below in "Additional Practice"
- - Worksheet Set (from Fundamentals, Function, and Form)
    - - Worksheet 1: Major Keys and Key Signatures
      - Worksheet 2: Minor Keys and Key Signatures
  - Worksheet Set (from San Francisco Conservatory):
    - - Worksheet 1: Root-Position Triads
      - Worksheet 2: Triads in Inversion
      - Worksheet 3: Spell triads given the Roman numeral and figured bass
      - Worksheet 4: ID triads given the Roman numeral and figured bass
      - Worksheet 5: Spelling & ID with 7th Chords
      - Worksheet 6: Spelling 7th Chords in Inversion
      - Worksheet 7: Chord construction from Roman numerals on the grand staff given

Examples for Key ID: This section of the anthology includes excerpts in major and minor for practicing key ID.
Reading Chord Notation: The following three links provide additional practice for chord spelling and ID with lead sheet and Roman numeral notation.

Anthology: Key ID

Anthology: Lead Sheets (Triads)

Anthology: Lead Sheets (7th Chords)

Assignment 1-1

Next Lesson: RN Analysis & Cadences

Musition: Chords
- Jazz Chord Symbols: Levels 1a–2c
- Chords: Levels 1–4
- Transposition: Levels 3–4
- Lead Sheet Analysis: Levels 1–4
Musition: Roman Numerals
- Diatonic Chords: All Levels
- Chord Progressions: Levels 1a–1c
Musition: Scale Degrees
- Scale Degree Function: Levels 1a–3b
- Scale Degrees: Levels 1–8

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