Improv with Chords

Goal
Using only white keys, improvise melodies in the RH over a chord progression in the LH, landing on stable scale degrees in sync with a metronome.

Vocabulary
•    chord = simultaneous notes
•    chord progression = series of chords
•    triad = 3-note chord

Essential Knowledge
•    Triads are formed using stable scale degrees 135.

Tips
•    Other types of triads exist that involve other scale degrees besides 135, like sus4, add2… we’ll cover this later!
•    While practicing with a metronome will help improve technique, it’s also important to practice playing without a metronome to focus on expressiveness and exploration rather than rhythmic precision.

PLAY THIS
1.    Convert bassline from the previous lesson to triads (every other note) to create a chord progression
2.    LH: loop triad progression in whole notes at 80bpm
3.    RH: 135 in any order/octave in half notes, then quarter notes, then eighth notes
4.    RH: 1234567 in half notes, then quarter notes, then eighth notes, then turn off the metronome and use any rhythms