Basic Instructions

1. Notice that, from within the software, you can select a key (tonic and mode). By default, the key of C Major selected
2. Press the number keys on your computer keyboard beginning with the number “1” and counting up to “8”.
3. Hold the SHIFT key while pressing a number key to play a chord in 1st inversion.

As you know, each note in a scale has an associated chord function that can be built from it. In major keys, the 1, 4, and 5 chords are always major in quality, the 2, 3, and 6 chords are always minor, and the 7 chord is always diminished.

3. Using the “chord chart” below, press the corresponding number key on your computer keyboard in any rhythm for the specified number of beats as demonstrated in this video

Most of the activities we'll be doing involve playing chord progressions along with popular music using the software as an alternate way to play chords as opposed to a piano or guitar.

4. Click the video below to see a demonstration of the types of activities we'll be doing
   1. Click a song title. Notice that the software loads the chord sheet and selects the appropriate key and timbre.
   2. Listen to the song once without playing along by clicking the play button:
   3. Practice playing the song without the music track. The chord sheet provides the number of beats to play each chord number. You may take liberty with the rhythm you use, but stay within the number of beats within the bar.
   4. Play along with the music by pressing the appropriate chord number along as the music plays. If required by the song, the appropriate inversion type will switch automatically when the SHIFT key is pressed and a number key is pressed. Note: songs may use added notes beyond the root, 3rd, and 5th of the chord, as well as suspensions but we'll be limiting our instrument to only play triads.
5. When you are finished, choose the appropriate week number from above beginning with Week 1 and complete the activities for that week by working through each numbered item on the page.

*Please work on weekly activities for a total of 1 ^1/2 to 2 hours each week in any way your schedule allows (spreading time across several days is recommended) but for no more or less than 1 ^1/2 to 2 hours per week.