ASSIGNMENT

The class project is for you to write and record your own chord progression in one key that modulates to a new key (using pivot chord modulation) and then back to the original key. A recording made with your smartphone or demo created on your computer will work perfectly. Be sure to utilize the fundamentals we covered in the video lessons.

Please refer to the “Attached Files” section of this course to access the charts that I reference during the video lessons.

I encourage you to upload your pieces to the project gallery throughout the writing process for valuable feedback from our class.

STEPS

Pick your first key signature—it could be a Major key or a Minor Key.
Pick a key to modulate to. Make sure that the key that you modulate to is a Roman numeral chord of your original key.
There is no such thing as a diminished key. If you’re in a Major key don’t modulate to the viiº chord and if you’re in a Minor key don’t modulate to the iiº or the viiº.
If you’re in a Major Key modulate to the Dominant V key. If you’re in a Minor Key modulate to the Relative Major key, the III.
Write three chord phrases. Each chord phrase should have six to eight chords in them. Make sure that the chords in your chord phrases cycle from left to right—from tonic chord, to pre-dominant chord, to dominant chord. Just like I did in my demo. For this step, be sure to look over the “Classification of Chords” charts in the attached files section of this class.
Write your first chord phrase in your original key.
In your second chord phrase use a pivot chord to modulate to your new key. Remember a pivot chord is a chord that exists both in your original key and in the second key that you’re modulating to. Once you’ve pivoted move to your Dominant 7 chord in your new key. This helps to quickly establish the new key.
In your third chord phrase use a pivot chord and modulate back to your original key.
Consider writing your three chord phrases out on paper, using Roman numerals and chord names, before or while you’re playing them on an instrument.
Once you’ve written your three chord phrases that modulate record a quick demo of it. It could be you playing your chord progression on an instrument such as guitar or piano. If you’re comfortable using a digital audio workstation or notation software you could also program your chord progression in and export an audio file. Your demo doesn’t need to be perfect in terms of the writing or the production quality—it could be a rough demo that you record on your smartphone.
Upload your recordings to Soundcloud, Dropbox or Youtube and post your links in the project gallery. Feel free to post works in progress and sketches. And to write, record and post as many chord progressions as you can.

* Be sure to download the supplemental materials for this class in the Attached Files section.

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Franziska Schneider

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