How can chord sequences be like a puzzle?
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- In this lesson, we will learn all about inversions - how and why do we play the pitches of a chord in a different order. We will explore voice leading and the importance of moving smoothly between chords. This will culminate in the crafting of a chord sequence with inversions and excellent voice leading.
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This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.
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10 Questions
Q1.
What is structure in music?
The order that you play the notes in
The way the melodies and chords fit together
Q2.
What do you call the catchy section of a song that repeats, with the same lyrics each time?
Bridge
Verse
Q3.
What do you call the sections of a song that repeat, with different lyrics?
Bridge
Chorus
Q4.
What do you call the beginning of a song or piece of music?
Bridge
Start
Q5.
What is the correct order of a typical song structure?
Intro, verse 1, bridge, chorus , chorus , verse 2, chorus, outro
Intro, verse 1, chorus, bridge, verse 2, chorus, chorus, outro
Q6.
How would a band play in time together?
They would have a conductor
They would read the sheet music
Q7.
What is balance?
How long the melodies are
The way the music is laid out
Q8.
How could balance be addressed before the performance?
A dress event
Everyone knowing their part
Q9.
When might the bass guitar play louder in a piece?
During the chorus
In the intro
Q10.
How would someone in a band know what to do?
They would look at the conductor
They would look at their music
10 Questions
Q1.
How can you work out a triad on a keyboard?
Miss one, press one, miss one
Press one, miss one, miss one
Q2.
How do we label the three notes in a triad?
1, 2, 3
I, III, V
Q3.
What is an inversion?
Playing the notes of the chord in order
Playing two different chords and moving between them
Q4.
Which of these is an F major triad, in inversion?
ADF
FAD
Q5.
What is one benefit of playing chords in inversion?
They sound major
They suit the mood of the piece
Q6.
What is voice leading?
The way the individual ‘voices’ (pitches) lead the chords
The way the individual ‘voices’ (pitches) lead the group
Q7.
What two notes do A minor and C major triads have in common? Use the keyboard to help you.
A and C
G and A
Q8.
What note of the F major triad would you change to make the chord into a D minor triad? Use the keyboard to help you.
You would change the A to D
You would change the F to D
Q9.
When you decide on your inversions to make good voice leading, what is the main thing you need to consider?
How do I make the chords jump around?
What instrument should I play on?
Q10.
What would poor voice leading sound like?
A mixture of big leaps and small steps
Small steps between chords