Natural Minor Notating and Improvising

Goal

Theory: Notate Natural Minor Scale

Prac: Improvise with the E Natural Minor Scale

Task Draw one octave of a keyboard. Write one sentence describing what a

semitone is and what a tone is.

Each key on the piano keyboard is one semitone apart, one tone is two semitones combined.

What is the difference between Major and

Minor?

Major Scale The Major Scale is a specific combination of tones

ands semitones. It is this combination that identifies the scale as

major. Tone, Tone, Semitone, Tone, Tone Tone,

Semitone

=

T, T, ST, T, T, T, ST

Can you hear this pattern?

Task A Major Scale.

1. Write the letter names for the scale using the tone, tone, semitone method under the staff.

2. Write the notes onto the staff. 3. Circle the A Major scale tones on the guitar

fret board.

Natural Minor Scale The natural minor scale has a specific pattern

of tones and semitones that identifies the scale as natural minor.

Tone, Semitone, Tone, Tone, Semitone, Tone, Tone

=

T, ST, T, T, ST, T, T

Can you hear this pattern?

Task E Natural Minor Scale.

1. Write the letter names for the scale using the tone, tone, semitone method under the staff.

2. Write the notes onto the staff. 3. Circle the E Natural Minor scale tones on

the guitar fret board.

Improvisation Improvisation defined:“Creating with the materials at hand.”

Creating what, in relation to music? Creating melodies. Try to play something simple, something that you’ll remember. Play a melody that means something to you.

Improvisation What are the materials? Scales – Each chord has one or more scales that can be played over it. This is called the chord – scale relationship.

Rhythm – Combining chord-scale relationships and chord tones with the infinite rhythmic patterns the improviser has an endless supply of material to be creative with.

What is the purpose of improvisation?

Initially, jazz musicians would improvise over the harmony of a popular tune to keep the music interesting while people continued to dance.

Soon after, jazz became very popular and improvisation became a serious art form in itself.

Improvisation is not limited to jazz, what other types of music are improvised?

Improvisation is the process of creating melodies on-the-spot, how could this process be useful in other aspects of musical development?

Examples

Task

Write a short paragraph explaining what you think

improvisation is and its function relating to you.

Hint: Think about the type of music you like and what you want out of music.

E Minor Chord The E minor chord

is one of the easiest chords to play on the guitar.

It is a very common chord and has a full resonating sound.

PracChord-Scale Relationship for E minor.• Practice the E minor chord. • Learn to play two octaves of the E natural

minor scale • Improvise melodies in the spaces or ask a

friend to accompany you while you play.

Play together with your friends and take turns improvising!

Goal Review

Could you confidently notate any natural minor scale?

Can you describe and what improvising is and its purpose in

music?