1. Melodic, Harmonic, and Rhythmic Dictation
  2. Module 10: Non-modulating Chromaticism

Module 10: Non-modulating Chromaticism

Chromatic tones are pitches that are not a part of the major or minor scale of the prevailing key. Chromaticism “fills in” the spaces between diatonic scale degrees, adds musical color and direction to melodies, and serves as the foundation for altered chords, tonicization, and modulation. The chromatic scale consists of twelve pitches, each roughly the same distance from the pitches around them. Note that chromatic pitches are labeled based on their resolution. A chromatic pitch resolving up to a G would be an F-sharp, and the “same” pitch resolving down to F would be a G-flat.

a. The Chromatic Scale and Surface Chromaticism

Melody 10-a1

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 10
  3. The pitch pattern is in the key of D major. The first pitch is third line D in the bass clef. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_10-a1a

Melody 10-a2

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 3/4
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 8, quarter note anacrusis
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-a2b
  5. The key signature is G major. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Treble clef, D below the staff
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-a2a

Melody 10-a3

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 2/4
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 12
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-a3b
  5. The key signature is F-sharp minor. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Bass clef, C-sharp second space
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-a3a

Melody 10-a4

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 4/4
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 8
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-a4b
  5. The key signature is G major. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Treble clef, G second line
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-a4a

Melody 10-a5

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 6/8
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 8
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-a5b
  5. The key signature is A-flat major. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Bass clef, A-flat first space
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-a5a

b. Modal Mixture

Melody 10-b1

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 10
  3. The pitch pattern is in the key of E major. The first pitch is third space E in the bass clef. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_10-b1a

Melody 10-b2

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 6/8
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 9
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-b2b
  5. The key signature is E-flat major. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Treble clef, G second line
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-b2a

Melody 10-b3

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 3/4
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 11
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-b3b
  5. The key signature is D major. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Bass clef, D third line
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-b3a

Melody 10-b4

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 2/2
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 12
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-b4b
  5. The key signature is C minor. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Treble clef, E-flat fourth space
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-b4a

Melody 10-b5

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 9/8
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 6
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-b5b
  5. The key signature is G major. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Bass clef, G first line
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-b5a

Harmonic Progression 10b-1

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of C Major and consists of 11 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10b-1

Harmonic Progression 10b-2

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of E Major and consists of 10 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10b-2

Harmonic Progression 10b-3

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of G-flat Major and consists of 12 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10b-3

Harmonic Progression 10b-4

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of F Major and consists of 12 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10b-4

Harmonic Progression 10b-5

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of D minor and consists of 8 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10b-5

c. Secondary Chords in the Major Mode

This section has not been built yet and will be launched in 2022.

d. Secondary Chords in the Minor Mode

This section has not been built yet and will be launched in 2022.

e. Neapolitan and Augmented Sixth Chords

Melody 10-e1

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 10
  3. The pitch pattern is begins in the key of B minor. The first pitch is third line B in the treble clef. Listen and notate the pitch pattern
    4. Melody_10-e1a

Melody 10-e2

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 6/8
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 8
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-e2b
  5. The key signature is B minor. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Treble clef, B third line
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-e2a

Melody 10-e3

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 9/8
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 7
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-e3b
  5. The key signature is C-sharp minor. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Bass clef, C-sharp second space
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-e3a

Melody 10-e4

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 2/4
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 8, eighth note anacrusis
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-e4b
  5. The key signature is A minor. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Treble clef, E first line
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-e4a

Melody 10-e5

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 3/4
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 8
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-e5b
  5. The key signature is G minor. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Bass clef, B-flat second line
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-e5a

Harmonic Progression 10e-1

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of d minor and consists of 7 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10e-1

Harmonic Progression 10e-2

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of b minor and consists of 6 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10e-2

Harmonic Progression 10e-3

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of E-flat major and consists of 8 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10e-3

Melody 10-e6

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 10
  3. The pitch pattern is begins in the key of G minor. The first pitch is third line B-flat in the treble clef. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_10-e6a

Melody 10-e7

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature
    3. 3/4
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 11
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-e7b
  5. The key signature is D minor. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Treble clef, D below the staff
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-e7a

Melody 10-e8

  1. Listen to the following melody
  2. Name the time signature
    3. 4/4
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 8
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-e8b
  5. The key signature is B-flat minor. Determine the clef and starting pitch
    6. Bass clef, F fourth line
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-e8a

Melody 10-e9

  1. Listen to the following melody
  2. Name the time signature
    3. 2/2
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 8
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-e9b
  5. The key signature is C minor. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Bass clef, middle C
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-e9a

Melody 10-e10

  1. Listen to the following melody
  2. Name the time signature
    3. 6/8
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 8
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-e10b
  5. The key signature is F minor. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Treble clef, A-flat second
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-e10a

Harmonic Progression 10e-4

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of D major and consists of 7 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10e-4

Harmonic Progression 10e-5

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of E minor and consists of 8 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10e-5

Harmonic Progression 10e-6

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of B-flat minor and consists of 10 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10e-6

f. Extended, Added Note, and Altered Chords

Melody 10-f1

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 10
  3. The pitch pattern is begins in the key of B-flat major. The first pitch is third line B-flat in the treble clef. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_10-f1a

Melody 10-f2

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 3/4
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 7
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-f2b
  5. The key signature is C major. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Treble clef, middle C
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-f2a

Melody 10-f3

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 6/8
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 7
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-f3b
  5. The key signature is B minor. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Bass clef, D third line
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-f3a

Melody 10-f4

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 2/2
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 9
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-f4b
  5. The key signature is A major. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Treble clef, A below the staff
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-f4a

Melody 10-f5

  1. Listen to the following melody.
  2. Name the time signature.
    3. 12/8
  3. Listen to the melody again. Determine the number of measures.
    4. 8
  4. Listen again. Notate only the rhythm above the staff.
    5. Melody_10-f5b
  5. The key signature is G-flat major. Determine the clef and starting pitch.
    6. Bass clef, B-flat second line
  6. Listen again. Notate the melody.
    7. Melody_10-f5a

Harmonic Progression 10f-1

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of C major and consists of 9 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10f-1

Harmonic Progression 10f-2

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of F major and consists of 7 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10f-2

Harmonic Progression 10f-3

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of e minor and consists of 7 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10f-3

Harmonic Progression 10f-4

  1. Listen to the following rhythm.
  2. The progression is in the key of g minor and consists of 7 chords. Listen to the progression, then write the soprano line, the bass line, and provide a Roman numeral analysis.
    3. Harmonic_10f-4
  1. Begin by taking a rhythmic dictation of your melody (see steps above). Figure out where things happen before you try to figure out what happens.
  2. Listen for and identify the tonic. If the melody modulates, listen for indications of each tonal area (usually you can listen for dominant sounds).
  3. Identify important scale degrees along the way by writing their numbers above the notes on your rhythmic dictation. Mark chromatic notes. These may include longer notes, notes on cadences, the first note, the last note, etc. Be sure to listen to pitches as scale degrees, using your scale degree patterns to verify what you think you hear.
  4. Listen for how the “important” scale degrees (from step 3 above) are approached and left. Listen also for groups of notes that form identifiable structures such as triads, seventh chords, etc.
  5. Once you have labeled your rhythm with scale degrees, transcribe this into standard notation on a staff.
  6. Double check your answer by singing what you have written and comparing it to what you remember.
  1. Begin by taking a rhythmic dictation for the melody as described above.
  2. Listen for repeating pitches or pitches that are close to known pitches, even if (especially if) they are separated by only a few pitches. Listen for embedded chromatic lines in the melody.
  3. Listen for characteristic intervals. For example, many melodies will use a particular interval repeatedly. Try to find all instances of that interval wherever it occurs.