Chapter 1 – Primordial atoms: 3-note chords (Triads) & 4-note chords (Tetrad)

The basic building blocks for building a melody

Chapter 1 presents the basic building blocks for building a melody: the triads. Our journey to building a real phrase starts here. Since triads are the common basis (the “first stage”) of all chords, we can already improvise on circles of fifths (descending 5^th or ascending 4^th progressions). The associated exercises should be sufficiently mastered and practiced before proceeding further. Otherwise, the foundations of the “house” will not be solid.

Plan

Triad exercises on the circle of fifths

• In major, starting with the tonic then the third
• In minor
• Passage from the triad to the tetrad by doubling, repeating a note or adding the 7^th

Triad + external note exercises

• In quarter notes, adding the 2^nd, 4^th or 6^th as a passing or tension note
• In eighth notes, the 8 basic melodic cells in 4/4 and 3/4

Pianists’ corner: example of left hand chords for accompaniment on circle of 5ths in half notes, quarter notes and then syncopation in 3/4 and 4/4