ASSIGNMENT

Upload a recording of yourself playing your own chord progression(s) in the key of C Major.

Warm up by playing through the chords of the C Major scale on your chord-producing instrument. *See the "Chords of the Major Scale" chart in my Class Notes pdf for reference.
Reference my chart "Chords in Tonal Music" in my Class Notes pdf and using your instrument begin cycling through chords in the key of C Major moving from left to right; starting with a Tonic chord, then moving to a Pre-Dominant chord, then a Dominant chord and back to a tonic chord.
Experiment with different combinations of chords to help you figure out what sounds you like and what you don't like. Experimentation is key. Discover what types of moods you can create with your chords.
Feel free to add in a iii chord in between the Tonic and Pre-Dominant chord and/or the Pre-Dominant and Dominant chord to spice things up!
Your chord progression should have a minimum of three chords in it; a Tonic chord, a Pre-Dominant chord and a Dominant chord.
Remember to start and end your chord progression on a Tonic chord.
Record yourself playing your chord progression(s) on your smartphone or computer. Don't worry about about creating a professional recording--an audio or video file captured on your smartphone will work just fine!
Upload your audio recording to Soundcloud or your video of yourself playing to Dropbox or Youtube and post the link to your file in the project gallery.
Make sure to leave comments or ask questions on other students' chord progressions in the project gallery.

DELIVERABLES

At least one audio or video recording of you playing a chord progression in the key of C Major on your instrument utilizing my technique.

YOU WILL NEED

*Be sure to download the Class Notes pdf in attached files section.

POINTS TO CONSIDER

The more you practice this technique the more you will improve at it.
Don't become too worried about the outcome of your experimentation - have fun with it!
After trying out my technique consider revisiting some of your new chord progressions and turning them into songs or compositions.

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Desmond Smith

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