Music 1310: Theory Fundamentals

Assignment 15

Reading

Here is my 4-page primer on fourths and fifths plus inversion and compound intervals (handed out in class)

Teoría

WARMUP (not graded or required)

construct perfect fifths
Use the natural-note method described in the reading—
don’t count half steps!

GRADED EXERCISES

Skill 1a construct 10 fifths of all qualities; treble & bass clefs; 20 seconds each
Skill 1b construct 10 fourths of all qualities; treble & bass clefs; 20 seconds each

Skill 2a identify 10 fifths of all qualities; treble & bass clefs; 20 seconds each
Skill 2b identify 10 fourths of all qualities; treble & bass clefs; 20 seconds each

Scoring for each skill (average of a & b): 95-100 = 10 pts; 85-90 = 9 pts; 75-80 = 8 pts; 65-70 = 7 pts; 55-60 = 5 pts; 45-50 = 3 pts; <45= 0 pts

(FYI) Recognizing melodic intervals by ear

Here are some well-known tunes beginning with perfect 5ths or 4ths:

Ascending 5th: Twinkle, Star Wars; also “All the Pretty Little Horses”
Ascending 4ths: Here Comes the Bride, Wheels on the Bus, Bingo

All of these are tonic-to-dominant (the 5ths) or dominant to tonic (the 4ths). Be aware that the “feel” of fifths elsewhere in the scale may be slightly different for you.

For more interval-tune associations: Earmaster

(more FYI) “Power chords” are just parallel p5ths, or p5ths + 8ves

Dire Straits: Money for Nothing

Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit

Weird Al Yankovic: Smells Like Nirvana

John Mayer: All Along The Watchtower

Stromae: Alors on danse.

Here, at the cue point, there are parallel 5th in the upper part (the guitarish synthy sound).