SING AND STRUM · 2020. 1. 19. · Sing progressions and melodies Create a melody over a given progression Can use a familiar chant or poem! Create a progression & melody Songwriting

Building Harmonic Skill and Understanding Through Singing and Ukulele

Michigan Music Conference — Saturday, January 18, 2020

Heather N. Shouldice Eastern Michigan University

Amy L. Sierzega Ann Arbor Public Schools

SING AND STRUM:

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WHAT IS THIS SESSION ?

In this approach to harmonic understanding, the instrument acts as an extension/vehicle for expressing inner musicianship.

This session will focus on harmonic skills & audiation.

Progression for building harmonic skills and understanding

Singing & audiation, then ukulele application

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WHAT IS THE INSTRUMENT FOR?

There are two main ways in which audiation and instruments interact.

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AUDIATION & INSTRUMENTS

OROne's audiation is informed by the instrument

the instrument is an extension of what one can already audiate.

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PROGRESSION OF HARMONIC SKILLS

Tonal Center (resting tone/home tone)

Resting Tone Ostinato

Tonic/Dominant Bordun/Ostinato

Tonic/Dominant Functions

Tonic/Dominant Chords

Tonal Improvisation Over Chords/Progressions

Songwriting!

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Sing Resting Tone

Toy Toss (“Monkey Monkey”—B. Bolton)

Other ideas (see handout)

Play Resting Tone

Pluck E string on ukulele (E-Phrygian)

Tonal Center

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Songwriting!

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Sing Resting Tone Ostinato

“Donkeys Love Carrots”—Traditional


Play Resting Tone Ostinato

Pluck C string on ukulele (C-Major)


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Songwriting!

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Sing I-V Ostinato (parallel or alternating)

“Donkeys Love Carrots”—Traditional


Play Resting Tone

Pluck C and/or G strings on ukulele (for C-Major)


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Songwriting!

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Sing Patterns, Label Functions, “Translate” Sing tonal patterns (neutral syll. then solfege) Label/recognize tonic/dominant functions “Translate” patterns (associate solfege)

“Rig a Jig Jig”—Traditional

Play/Reinforce Skills on Ukulele

Use first three open strings for major tonic in C-Major


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Songwriting!

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Sing Chord Roots & Tones; Label Functions “Hello Everybody”—E. Holsaret/C. Bailey Other I-V and i-V songs (see handout)

Play Chords and Chord Tones on Ukulele!

C-Major and G-Major for I and V functions

Additional functions/chord roots/progressions!


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Songwriting!

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Sing Patterns and Melodies Improvise patterns (alone & over tonic ostinato) Add more pattern functions! Improvise an ending (“Unfinished Song”—H.N. Shouldice) Chord roots to a familiar song:

Sing chord roots Sing song over chord roots Sing chord tones over chord roots Improvise new melody!

Play Chords on Ukulele and Improvise!

Tonal Improvisation over chords/progressions

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Songwriting!

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Sing progressions and melodies Create a melody over a given progression

Can use a familiar chant or poem! Create a progression & melody Songwriting “from scratch”!

Transfer the skills to ukulele!

Songwriting using chords/progressions

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Tonic (F)

Dominant (C or C7)

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Sing progressions and melodies Create a melody over a given progression

Can use a familiar chant or poem! Create a progression & melody Songwriting “from scratch”!

Transfer the skills to ukulele!

Songwriting using chords/progressions

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Thank you!

Heather N. Shouldice Eastern Michigan University

[email protected]

Amy L. Sierzega Ann Arbor Public Schools [email protected]

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Documents

SING AND STRUM · 2020. 1. 19. · Sing progressions and melodies Create a melody over a given progression Can use a familiar chant or poem! Create a progression & melody Songwriting