Melody Assignment

This weekend's assignment is to construct an eight bar melody. Since there are a lot of parameters I thought I would post them here. Your melody:

1. should be written in C pentatonic. That is a C diatonic scale with the 4th and 7th taken out.
2. should have a range from middle C to the A above the treble staff.
3. should resolve to the home note.
4. should have an interesting rhythm that repeats but also has some variety. You can use any of the note or rest durations we have talked about in class, but you don't need to make it to complicated.
5. should have contour.
6. should be in 4/4 time.

Don't forget to retain a copy in your notes for continuing development. See you on Monday.

Latin Jazz Ensemble Performance this Saturday

Just a reminder -- the Cal State LA Latin Jazz Ensemble is performing this Saturday at 8PM at the music hall. That's just across the courtyard from the music building. This is a good chance for you to take care of one of the two concerts you are required to review for this course. The concert is free.

As I mentioned in class be sure and get a program to help you write your paper later. I will give you a style guide next week, but things like the name of the venue, what songs were played, the date and time of the show will all be required information.

D Major triad with two inversions

Here's the same thing in D major. Notice the position of the F# in the inversions.

C Major triad with 2 inversions

Here is a C major triad in root position followed by a first and second inversion. Notice how in the first inversion the 3rd note - E - is in the root position and in the second inversion the 5th - G - moves to the root.

Third Street Music -- D Major Diatonic Scale

Here's the Diatonic Major Scale with D as a home note. Notice the two sharps? They are necessary in order to maintain the whole step-half step relationship.

Third Street Music - C major Scale

Just for reference here is what a Diatonic C major scales looks like. Can you spot the half steps?

160 Ensemble -- "Bransle"

Here's the recording we made in class yesterday. Overall a performance to remember

Bransle - Part 2

You try the reverse here. Play the top part of the Bransle against this second part.

Bransle - First Part

Here is a recording of the top part of Bransle. Try playing the second part along with it.

Monday's assignment

Just so there is no confusion about Monday's assignment, section 1 students are to do the following

1. Transpose the C scale into D and F. Be sure and use the whole step/half step formula we learned in class. Indicate the sharp or sharps (in D) or flat/flats (F) with accidentals in front of the appropriate notes.

2. Transpose Mary Had A Little Lamb from the key of G as it appears in the Do It book, into the key of F. Again be sure and indicate any accidentals (in the key of F they would be flats).

3. Practice both parts of the Bransle in 4/4. I will post audio of each part on this blog tonight.

See you all on Wednesday.

Online Keyboard Link

Here is a link to an online keyboard that works. This will help you with various assignments involving pitch and transposition.

Click keyboard

Those of you who have access to a piano or other keyboard are encouraged to use them as well. Remember, it's music -- if it sounds right, it probably is right.

More Compound Meter Information

In Wednesday's lecture we will be discussing compound meter. Here's a link to a useful interactive site that covers the topic very thoroughly.

Click on meter

Worksheet 2 -- audio sample 6

Worksheet 2 -- audio sample 5

Worksheet 2 -- audio sample 4

Worksheet 2 -- audio sample 3

Worksheet 2 -- audio sample 2

Worksheet 2 -- audio sample 1

Section 1 -- here are six audio samples that correspond to the worksheet I gave out in class.  Decide whether they are in duple or triple meter.

In the absence of drums we have to listen to the accented beats and phrasing to determine meter.  Remember -- it is not the rhythm of the melody but the underlying pulse that determines meter.

Rest equivalent chart

Here are the corresponding rests.  Remember -- even when there is silence in music you still need to account for it in terms of the beat

Note tree

Section 1 student -- here is the a note tree you can use for reference throughout the quarter.  The names are as follows: (1) whole note, (2) half notes, (3) quarter notes, (4) eighth notes, (5) sixteenth notes.  You will need to know their value in relation to one another.