Key signatures or not?

My summer project with students is improvising over the 6-2-5-1 chord combination.

You can find the card here, shown here on c major.

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The cards on their own, look pretty ordinary. Unless you've tried them, how would you know that they act as fortune tellers, predicting what chords you are going to be playing in a piece of music? Beethoven, Chopin, Bach, Burgmuller and others use these chords regularly, in this order, and, with these inversions.

In response to this, I notated all the chords in 2 formats. One with key signatures for key changes, and the other without.

This one is without key signature changes, goes clockwise around the circle of 5ths, and is in 4:

6-2-5-1 Whole Notes - Full Score.pdf

Download PDF • 44KB

This one is with key signatures for key changes, goes counter clockwise around the circle, and is in 3. The first 4 bars were what inspired the card, they are the chord changes from the Chopin Waltz in A minor.

Waltzing around the Circle - Full Score.pdf

Download PDF • 54KB

The way I'm going about it, though you may have different (and better) ideas:

1. Play the chord changes in all 12 keys around the circle of 5ths.

   1. 5 minutes a day, or

   2. all 12 keys, or

   3. 3 different keys, or

   4. roll a 12 sided die and play the key from that

2. once the chords are good, play through the 5-note scales in all keys, both major and minor with either or both hands

3. Take the rhythm reference sheet (see rhythm reference blog) and pick a rhythm, play the chords using that rhythm.

4. Set a timer and play the chords using the rhythm for a minute or two (literally)

5. Pick a scale that works with the chords ( minor 6 or minor 2, major 5 or major 1) and make up small melodies.

6. Try the melodies with the different chords

7. Accept the fact that half of what you do will sound terrible

8. Embrace the things that sound great and do more of them.

Needless to say, I am working on a worksheet that encapsulates this, but I haven't found a way to make it elegant, yet. Ideas are always welcome.

I'm going to be adding a written element to this, but small steps. The main thing is getting students playing at the piano, over the summer.

I hope this gives you some ideas.

Love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Playing,

Sarah