78.
Small assignment: Chord loop
A chord loop exercise where a group is asked to play individual notes in a chord loop, in a meditative mood.
Assignment author
Esa Ylivaara
Basics
Minimum time required
Goal and output
Pedagogical goal
Understanding chords.
Ensemble playing.
Listening.
Concrete output
Improvisation based on a chord loop (repeated chord progression)
Preparation
You can introduce this assignment by talking about how chord loops are used in various kinds of music (e.g. in the Baroque era or in pop music).
You can listen to examples or have students identify chord loops in repertoire they have performed.
Work progress
- Use a predetermined chord loop for this exercise (4 or 8 measures). La Follia is a good one, but you can also come up with one yourself in the group. Write the chord loop on the board.
- Play individual notes in the chords of the chord loop in a very slow tempo (no one is to play full chords). Keep the mood meditative; listening to others is important. Students may play in any register.
- The only rule is that students must not play the same function in consecutive chords. For example, if someone plays the root in one chord, they must play the third or the fifth in the next chord. This helps avoid parallel motion and makes the music sound smoother. It also 'forces' the students to understand and use all pitches in a chord.
- Keep the chord loop going for quite a long time and finish on a chord that you have agreed on in advance.
Topics in the assignment
Musical structures and analysis
Playing an instrument & singing
Notation & music terminology
Arranging & parts
Music technology
Styles & techniques
Imagination & other arts
Tools
Further assignments
Assignment suitable for further study
